Rating: **
Review Date: 2/8/04
Cast: Fan Siu Wong, Jade Leung, Samo Hung, Cheng Pei Pei
A good old fashioned kung fu swordplay film that bears no similarity to its namesake, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000). It's not even a parody. A bitter family feud that spans two generations comes to a head, with Fan Siu Wong, Jade Leung, Samo Hung, and Cheng Pei Pei taking on an endless supply of bad guys in funny hats. The story is generic, formulaic, and not overly interesting, but the scenery is beautiful and the kung fu and furious and plentiful. Fan Siu Wong and Jade Leung are still in top shape, and even though Samo has slowed down a bit, he can still hold his own. Legendary Cheng Pei Pei is also wonderful to watch. Cheesy digital effects and unconvincing wirework spoil some of the action, but the stunt work is very good, and reminiscent of the 80's and 90's kung fu era.