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Parents' Guide to

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Magical, award-winning martial arts fairy tale.

Movie PG-13 2000 120 minutes
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 11 parent reviews

juanita C.
juanita C. Parent
December 25, 2017
age 18+

Don't trust the 12+ rating

There is a sex scene where the man stimulates the woman genitals and she outwardly displays arousal. I would NEVER allow my child to see this adult act. There may not be a ton of sex scenes....but one is too many for my children. No child EVER needs to see that type of adult interaction.

This title has:

Too much sex
14 people found this helpful.
K M.
K M. Parent of 11-year-old
January 15, 2018
age 15+

Great movie...FOR ADULTS

Excellent film, but really not for kiddos: very suggestive sex scene (lots more than just kissing, even though there's little nudity), loads of violence, mature plot lines. Fairy tale-like aspects and flying are cool for kids, but entire package is not kid- friendly, especially for those who don't play video games and/or watch explicit tv shows.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
9 people found this helpful.
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) runs a company that provides secure transport for shipments of goods to be sold. She's visited by Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat), a retired warrior-hero who has come to give his famous sword, the Green Destiny, to Sir Te (Lang Sihung), a mutual friend, for safekeeping. Li is tired of killing and wants to retire to a life of meditation, but instead of enlightenment, he has found "endless sorrow" and the feeling that something has been pulling him back. He has one unfinished obligation: to avenge the death of his master at the hands of a villain, Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-pei). Something else may be pulling him back as well: his love, never expressed, for Yu. Along the way, they encounter Jen Yu (Ziyi Zhang), soon to enter into an arranged marriage but in love with Lo (Chang Chen), the leader of a pack of desert bandits. The sword is stolen, putting into motion a quest to return the sword that entangles the two pairs of unlikely lovers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11 ):
Kids say (17 ):

This film -- the story of two sets of star-crossed lovers who face enormous obstacles, both within themselves and imposed by the outside world -- is passionately romantic. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a thrilling adventure saga that dazzles with breathtaking landscapes, gorgeous costumes, and a magnificent score with music played by Yo-Yo Ma. It also has, unquestionably, some of the most brilliantly staged fight scenes shot on camera. Staged by Yuen Wo-Ping (of The Matrix), the duels are mesmerizingly graceful and more eloquent than dialogue.

The story in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is told with great subtlety and power, giving the film a mythical or dreamlike quality. Going beyond what most expect from wuxia, it delivers plenty of emotion and heartbreaking intimacy on top of the action and spectacle. This is thanks to the nuance and visual splendor director Ang Lee creates and to the strength of acting by some of East Asia's biggest stars.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the role of women in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. How have women historically been portrayed in martial arts films and in action movies as a whole, and how are women portrayed in this movie? Do they differ?

  • How did this movie stay close to the cinematic traditions of the martial arts genre, and where did it bend the rules and try new things?

  • How do Yu and Li, and Jen and Lo, demonstrate courage and integrity -- both independently and as couples? Why are those important character strengths?

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