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Crouching Tiger, Hidden - Hannibal!?!
The KingLove Movie Guide Review 03/01
"Crouching" Stars Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh & Zhang Ziyi. Directed by Ang Lee. Chinese with English subtitles. Rated PG. "Hanny" Stars Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore & Ray Liotta. Directed by Ridley Scott. Rated R.
We deviated from our usual format to present these two movies together, as they are remarkably similar. OK, so they were diametrically opposed - yet we happened to catch 'em the same week. The Chinese special effects thriller vs. the American violence festival.
Attractiveness & Chemistry
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon features Chow and Michelle, two of the biggest crossover stars in Asia, and two very attractive newcomers Ziyi (the Governor's daughter) and Chang Chen (the desert rebel). Chow and Michelle have longed for each other forever. The young kids are part of the instant gratification generation. Such a nice young couple! Both couples are attractive and have chemistry.
Hannibal is of course the sequel to the huge hit and Oscar winner Silence of the Lambs. Hopkins returns with his Chianti, fava beans and usual gusto. The sexuality was increased with the addition of Ms. Moore (sorry Jodi, but at least you have a couple of Oscars). Moore's Boogie Nights FBI sexiness in itself is attractive, and her anti-crime obsession could be construed as chemistry.
Story Line
Have you ever seen a lengthy Chinese movie with subtitles? Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon keeps your attention. There's something for everyone. The sword battles are epic, if that's your thing (some call it an ancient Chinese "Matrix"). Do you like scenery? Unrequited love? Guys with pony tails? Kung Fu fightin'? The Wu Tan Clan Green Destiny (I think that's what it's called)? The story is good vs. evil, with love, honor and mystery thrown in. It's an epic Star Wars type movie which borrows liberally from classic tales.
Hannibal is also a lengthy Chinese movie with subtitles. No, actually it's only presented in that format in Taiwan. Hello Clarice... are you ready for some gory stuff? Some extremely gory stuff?!? The Not So Good Dr. Hannibal Lechter is back on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted. His only surviving (and thoroughly mutilated) victim, Mason Verger, is after him. Verger's got plenty of money, but realizes that nobody knows Hannibal like Clarice. Corruption and deception get her in the middle of his game. Can she survive? Can she save others from his interesting culinary choices?
Nookie Factor
The young kids are the Crouching Tigers, or should we say naughty tigers? The older couple just can't find the Dragon. The young lady looks particularly young, more of a girl than a woman. Her sexiest days are still ahead of her. Ziyi and Chang steal the Nookie spotlight.
The trailers for Hannibal tease us with images of Julianne Moore in a gorgeous and slinky black dress sans bra. That sells tickets. That also must have been enjoyable for Dr. Lechter to choose the outfit and aid in putting it on her. Hannibal gets his chance to eat her up or kiss her later.
Both movies are about important relationships, yet neither (particularly Hannibal) give much props to nookie. I'll say it right here - more nookie and less violence! Can't we all just get along (really well)?
Comments from the People!
Crouching: "I didn't know that whole movie was going to be in Chinese"
Crouching: "The best sword fights I've ever seen...Chow Yun Fat rules"
Hannibal: "Hopkins is as scary as ever, and Moore is an improvement over Foster."
Crouching: "I heard they really were balancing on those trees." [Note: did you hear they actually can fly? That the Brooklyn Bridge is for sale?]
Hannibal: "I had to close my eyes pretty often. There was some nasty stuff going on..."
Hannibal: "Did we really need to see that [a few scenes that were bloody]."
Crouching: "Liked the honor and love. Michelle Yeoh was great, and that little vixen Ziyi was tough..."
Hannibal: "Gary Oldham was either great as the deformed Hannibal victim/archenemy - or perhaps he was so over the top, it made it possible to look at him. Almost."
KingLove's Overall Rating
Don't hide from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's not your usual Academy Award Nominee, and it's worth seeing on the big screen. Sexy stars perform well in an epic with amazing special effects.
Hannibal combines American favorites of sex appeal (Moore's Clarice) and violence (anyone that gets in Hopkins' Hannibal's way). Instead of equal parts sex and violence, it adds a double dose of violence and the cannibalistic scene you knew had to happen. Not for the squeamish, but for the Silence of the Lambs lovers.
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