Teenage Mutant Ninja Chaos Engine 

Happy New Year! To join us on Patreon for behind the scenes photos, livestreams, and sometimes extra content, go to patreon.com/jillbearup Hope you enjoyed the fact that I finally got around to reviewing this very requested fight 😁

I have teenage daughters. Everything about the teenage girl being a willful force of chaos checks out.

Teenage Mutant Chaos Engine is an appropriate title. For most children really.

A great scene. I love the irony. The conflict that drives Jen is freedom vs choice. She rejects every choice because she sees it as a net loss of freedom. Even the choices she likes like running away with James Dean on Horseback means losing some freedom. But in this fight she sticks to one weapon. But Shu who made a choice and stuck with it has the skills to use all the weapons on display. Jen never cottons onto that choice can lead to a deeper freedom and that fear of making a choice is already a loss of freedom.

Earlier in the movie Shu Lien states that while she likes most weapons, her favorite preferred weapon is a straight sword. Thus the focus on the weapon at the end, signifying that she's actually getting serious by pulling out the weapon that she has the most training in. She knows that this will be the final section of the fight; when they're both tired and likely to make mistakes. So she pulls out what is effectively her ace card.

It is refreshing to have a set director who turned on the lights and a camera operator and editor who understood that they occasionally need to let us see what's going on.

8:37 "Don't let your emotions show through is basically Shu Lien's entire gig" Michelle Yeoh's performance in this movie is a masterclass of subtlety. The saavy small looks and graceful finesse of her expression are part of what make this movie a standout. A few items of note: 1) This was the third movie that Ziyi Zhang had made, she was 20 at the time of filming. A solid performance by a young actress 2) taken from wikipedia "Poison is also a significant theme in the film. The Chinese word "毒" (dú) means not only physical poison but also cruelty and sinfulness." 3)On a budget of $17 million USD, the film grossed $213.5 million USD worldwide. The first foreign-language movie to break $100 million. 4)Ms. Yeoh grew up speaking Malay and English and learned her lines in Mandarin phonetically 5)The majority of the film crew is Chinese, in particular, the fantastic work by cinematographer Peter Pau. 6)Nominated for ten Academy Awards and won four. Won four BAFTAs and three Golden Globes In summation, dear reader, if you have not seen this film. Please, do yourself a favor and watch.

0:23 your mistake Jill, was thinking we want your jokes to “improve” they’re perfect the way they are

I love the feel, the style of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," but it's 100% a story where someone's chaotic life choices ruined everything for everyone, and it didn't have to be that way. It's a very depressing story, and these days I just don't want depressing stories. I get to many of them.

I think there's another reason for the glamour shot of the last sword of the fight. If I remember right, earlier on in the movie there is a conversation with Shu Lien about why doesn't she take the Green Destiny sword and she says something along the lines of straight swords aren't her thing and she prefers curved blades. So, there's added significance to her not only having to take up a straight sword there, but also that she not only knows it well enough but knows the Green Destiny well enough to use it to her advantage and honourably win the duel.

Michelle Yeoh is one of my favorite actresses of all time and this scene is very meaningful for me because I've seen her do all kinds of awesome things in other movies, her character's previous deeds are hinted at in the film, but she is perfectly cast as the wiser martial artist. In many ways she understands the situation better than any of the other characters, she just struggles to get them to understand.

Jen's self destructive nature is really the heart of the film and I find it so relatable. Especially when you are young you want to do everything for yourself. Her internal conflict is moving.

just to add some appreciation to the actors of the scene, michelle yeoh (the actress of shu lien) hada broken collarbone when filming this scene thats why she very VERY rarely makes any sort of rotation with her upper body, and whenever she does the face is offscrene (because the actress literally couldnt due to the injury) yet both her, and the film maker, worked around the limitations caused by her injury to make a FANTASTIC fight scene full of skill and emotion

I know that Jen is cocky and chaotic, but another key aspect to remember with this fight is that she did genuinely bond with Shu Lien, earlier in the film, going so far as to consider her like an older sister. So besides Lo, Shu Lien is the only other character she has affection for, and it shows- there's a different emotional energy here than what we'd seen up to this point so far. To further complicate the context, although Jen had been Jade Fox's pupil, there are hints theirs may have been a toxic relationship. This likely affects how she views masters that want to teach her. Along with her affluent upbringing, there are trust issues Jen needs to work through

The bamboo fight is one of those scenes that looks somewhat silly on television but was awe inspiring in theaters. It really does require a big screen.

I watched "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" when it was first released in the theater back in 2000, and at least a dozen more times on DVD. The dojo fight is still one of my all-time favorite movie scenes; the fight choreography is SO good.

"... they will not improve." This line earned my like.

The broad sword joke was a pure crime against humanity. I sighed painfully loud and my SO laughed at me / you / who knows../

This is my favorite fight in this movie. Possibly in all martial arts movies ever. I am pretty sure the bamboo forest fight is intentionally funny, going by the interactions between Mu Bai and Jen. He's basically sniggering a few times in it, like when he chops down the stick Jen's balancing on.

“Divides her swords.” Ohh she has Zuko swords. Cool Ohh and Jet swords

One of the most underappreciated things about CTHD is the score. I used to work in a video rental store when I was a teenager (and such things still existed) and I used to have it on, even though I'd watched it a million times, just to listen to it.

“Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” has been one of my favourite movies ever since it came out, despite the sad ending. You are spot on about the pathos of this fight scene.

When she is using the straight sword, she makes makes a piercing attack moving behind Jen's back, then they both spin and jen's parry her attack. She repeats that same movement at the end, and knowing that jen will parry, cuts through, using the green destiny's ability to break swords against her, since the sword will break that means jen can't parry the attack. Genius move.

Michelle Yeoh was robbed...she deserved at least a nomination for best supporting actress.

I love that this movie is basically a musical without words, and each fight scene is a musical number with dancing instead of singing.

Here I was thinking you wanted to call Shu Lien's last weapon a "broadsword" because of a coincidental resemblance to historical European weapons... For about half a second, until _"I told you the jokes weren't going to improve."_ 😂

I think this was the first movie that I really recognized that you could still have really good character building in an action scene, specifically FROM the action. There is a really great contrast between the more youthful energy and natural talent of Jen Yu, vs the discipline and skill She Lien. The gap between them is just close enough that the Green Destiny seems to bridge it at first, but I just love how She Lien's final move comes from her taking advantage of the very thing that has been giving Jen Yu the advantage for the whole fight. What a great scene, thanks for covering it!

I was too young to understand the plot of this movie when I first watched it but regardless Shu Lien was, and still is, my favourite character.

Don't you just love it? Absolutely. This movie has a wonderful, beautiful, tragic dance with happiness to it. It always seems so close, but just ends up being so far away. This particular fight I also have to say is wonderfully counter balanced with the bamboo forest fight. Each of these fights have a poetry to them. I need to watch this movie again. Subbed, this is one of the movies I have to watch in the original language.

Your jokes will never improve, cause they are already perfect

To be perfectly honest, I used to not be one for fight scenes generally speaking. Mostly because the narrative aspect of it completely flew past me. However, I did learn martial arts and loved it with all the passion a middle school girl could and even though my school is not an East Asian school so the style isn't the same, there is something really entrancing about these Chinese martial arts film. Even though I couldn't suspend my disbelief in superhero movies, these fights made sense because I could feel why the wirework and anti gravity stunts enhances the beauty of the movements in their fight. And in some scenes, I could also relate it to the philosophy behind some of the moves I learn in my school. I wonder if that is another layer of context that adds to one's enjoyment of these fight scenes.

I have to say that every time I watch his film the story pails into insignificance and I just end up "drowning" in the beautiful camera work. Some of the shots are truly magnificent.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Chaos Engine". I'm gonna treasure this expression like rare chocolate ... 🖖

It would be interesting of you did a series on Magic Swords in general, in exponentially escalating levels of ridiculousness.

Ang Lee is a such a boss. He never plays it safe and always swings for the fences. Sometimes you get crouching tiger, sometimes you get the hulk but it's always interesting. Sometimes spectacular, sometimes a spectacular failure.

I believe one of the reasons Michelle Yeoh's character was so static and less fancy was because she had a torn ACL and couldn't do the usual amount of movement and stunt work she usually does

That’s interesting that you said that fight would look nice when sped and I totally agree. I watched Mulan recently yes that Mulan which isn’t a great movie by any stretch of imagination, but I remember reading that Jet Li was so fast that they had to slow down his fight scenes for the audience to understand. Neat that it can go both ways.

So the lesson I learned today is chaotic teen girls is a phenomena recognized across many different cultures. LOL

Once again a great breakdown of a great scene.

I've never thought of it that way before- as a general principle, especially for any system in which teaching/training is one on one and personal- what happens when the student surpasses the master, there is no better master available to which they might be passed on, but the student is otherwise not yet ready to assume independence and the position and duties of a master him/herself? Traditionally, it was just assumed that surpassing the master, presuming it was possible, was a sign the student WAS ready to be a master in turn. It is not necessarily so. Probably true in real life, certainly a driver in literature. Or, alternatively, the student surpasses the master but must still undergo the trials of the story in order to qualify as a master herself. One thinks of Anakin Skywalker, the classic example of the surpassing student who needed a new and stronger teacher. And found one.

Always a good day when Jill Bearup posts a fight review. This was great as always. Thanks for making our day/s!

The shot of the slashed-up club in She Lien's hands stuck with me for a long time.

I only have vague memories of this movie, but the spinning move that breaks the bludgeoning weapon stuck with me. Baby me was awed. Also the one sword becoming two was a thing that i only remembered after seeing this video, but given my affinity for dual swords coming from one weapon, i think it's safe to say that it stuck with me too. I also could NOT, for the life of me, follow the plot of this movie. I was around 6 or 7 at the time? I should probably rewatch it

I was 14 when this came out, training in multiple martial arts actively. I poured over this movie so much, time and again. Weapon combat, and martial arts were two of very few things I felt I could wholly claim as being mine, and being part of who I was. The whole dynamic between Jen Yu and Shu Lien made me weep first time I saw it in theatres. I was very much like Jen Yu in the sense of wanting to connect and find someone to guide me. My issue was trusting people though, childhood abuse tends to muck that up a lot. I remember watching this scene in the theatre, hoping so much Jen Yu would finally get it, but when she still lashed out after Shu Lien removed the severed blade it tore through me. After seeing this movie I did the best I could to really delve into the philosophy behind what I was studying. In doing so I was able to find people to learn from and improve my quality of life greatly.

Great analysis of one of my favourite fight scenes :) Fun fact: In German, the Green Destiny is called the Green Sword of the Underworld, das grüne Schwert der Unterwelt. I am not sure how that came about, but I like both names.

Happy New Year Swordylady! x

I have watched this scene countless times but you still manage to bring interesting points I had never thought about! You are really special!

The sword used by 俞秀蓮 in the last fight is simply called 長劍 - Long Sword. Chinese jians with the exception of military ones, have generally been long and thin from the Han Dynasty onwards, with the 刀 taking the place of the broadsword.

I absolutely love how passionate you get about great movie fight scenes, and how you beautifully and meticulously analyze and describe them. You are a real gem Jill.

The way you describe fights is so unreasonably entertaining, I love it

Consider this a vote for "Team Dorks in Love"

This is a very good analysis of the narrative/cinematic purposes of each portion of the fight. Well done, madam!

I love this movie, thank you for breaking it down like this and giving me a chance to watch it again with a different level of appreciation.

I loved this movie so much - saw it multiple times in the theaters. Thanks for helping me think about the fight scene in a new way!

Currently my favorite fight scene in a film, very nice to see it appreciated and dissected. Keep the interesting stuff coming.

This is easily becoming my favourite channel. I just absolutely love your insights!

Thanks for your illumination of the context of the fight. I saw this movie when it was released, lo these many years ago. I enjoyed the fights and grasped some of the story, but missed alot that you have shared.

I loved your analysis of this fight scene and love your work. Thank you.

And then, story wise, remember how Li Mu Bay, defeated Jen (with his own Green Destiny) early on with the smaller of sticks... A randomly found bamboo stick

In this style I *highly* recommend Into The Badlands, a TV show produced by AMC from 2015-2019. 3 seasons, 32 total episodes, and some of the most gorgeously choreographed fight scenes on television. Pretty sure it is on Netflix currently.

Love your channel. I now immediately click on each new released episode. This is my favorite character / cinematographic / sword fight analysis that you've done. Bravo (especially with the cringy jokes)!

Another excellent, insightful and humorous review by Jill - a welcome start to the new year :) I don't think the jokes need improvement. I can appreciate "Dad" jokes, but "Jill" jokes is another level, as it involves content and delivery that is just superb.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of the first movies that I can remember watching as a small child. I have fond memories of sitting in our livingroom and being in awe of the beautiful masterpiece that it is. Absolutely great movie. I think I'll go watch it again now.

What a great analysis! I hadn't even considered some of your points! Now I wanna watch this scene and the movie again!

I'm working on a fantasy novel, and your videos do a lot in helping me to choose which weapons my characters should use, so thank you so much.

Thank you for BEAUTIFULLY articulating why this scene is compelling. I fell in love with this fight as a teenager, but Expressing Things with Words is hard, so my friends and family never did understand. Now I can send them this.

idk how long i’ve waited for this review, but it was worth the wait. thanks, jill. 😀

Your breakdown of this fight scene(s) is as *great* and deliciously satisfying as your Princess Bride/Wesley vs. Indigo and (completely different) Wesley vs. Jack Sparrow fight analyses. Your humorous takes on everything from inadequate armor to poor scene direction never fails to make me think *and* grin, but this one was/is one of your very best! Thank You, Jill Bearup! (Now let's see you duel Jack Stockdale with a variety of weapons before throwing him out of a window - all educational purposes, of course...!)

Li Mu Bai leaves the mountain, his training, and even enlightenment because he wants to tell Shu Lien that he loves her. It just takes him the entire movie to get up the courage to do so.

There are no words to express how much I love “Crouching Tiger”. I have watched this movie with my family sooooo many times.

The fight choreographer was Yuen Woo-Ping, the same who worked on The Matrix one year before. It is also one of my favourite fight scenes. I cold not find any continuation error in the whole sequence.

Such a well-presented analysis, to a depth I would not have known to go.Wonderful.

Outstanding! This is my all-time favorite sword-fu movie and you nailed it.

I freaking love this show. Jill, you are fight analysis, comedy gold.

As one of the many people who asked for this, thank you so much! This is far and away my favorite fight scene.

An aside. Jade Fox is played by Cheng Pei Pei, a dancer turned actor/fighter who was the previous generation's female combat heroine.

Oh, this is awesome. Heard this fight referenced (mainly by my karate friends) but I am so glad to have it explained to me phrase-by-phrase and also get the story explanation that underpins this. Sidenote, need to go watch this movie at some point

I have been looking forward to this analysis for so long!

i always love your analysis ! such a wonderful expression of the love for both swordplay and martial arts annnd film in its inner dialogues! thank you so much for doing this scene. ive been waiting a loong time for this. personally its one of my favorites, very dear and near to my heart in both all of cinema and the art of the sword. if i may add on (and i hope you find this interesting) specifically in Asian films there are multiple characters within a fighting scene; the fighters themselves , and most importantly music and "spirit". music and spirit usually play off eachother but its often seen in the effects of wind or various other things that can flutter about... if youve scene jet li's hero or any old samurai film you know what im talking about, even Dragon ball z... but in particular, this scene's spirit is heavily tied to the music , and you can hear it often in the clangs of steel and further more when the poor furniture is being tossed, smashed, sliced or crushed. also through the eb and flow, the ups and downs of the combat as the music raises and lowers with every step of the combat. spirit is just another aspect to pay attention to in martial art movies: or another state of evaluation to understand a persons ability, potential, endurance, or "current" power level etc etc which can be a deeper glimpse into the power dynamics and struggle between the combatants. you can even notice the wavering of foes or our heroes if you can recognize the "spirit" in the scenes. i hope thats a new insight for any who read this or an enjoyable new way to look at things

I'm also very much a "Happy Ending, Yeah!" But this is one of my absolute favorite films. If the protagonists have to die, it should be for more than "subverting expectations. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon struck me as Romeo and Juliette meets Hamlet meets Macbeth. I saw it at the theater, and while I could never explained the fights, the fights draw you in emotionally. It has to be seen on a large screen to be truly appreciated.

A true masterpiece! The fight as well! Great job!

This movie for me was the perfect cinematic experience. I went in knowing nothing and between the story, the acting, the direction, the music, and the cinematography I was completely transported into a different world. Ang Lee is the master of portraying repressed emotions.

A fantastic analysis of this fight. It's been a long time but I don't remember seeing this character depth in this choreography before. Jill, you're the man! ... Uh, you know what I mean.

Why didn’t this come up on my time line …. Damn you RU-vid, but I love the excitement on the opening . Love your videos , keep ‘em coming

I love it when Jill does these!

I love how you unpack the storytelling and revelations of character and character development in these fights.

Wonderful as always, Jill and this is definitely one of my favourite 'fantasy' fight scenes of all time (the fact that I am a huge fan-boi of Michelle Yeoh doesn't hurt in this estimation :)). It is perhaps the only fight scene (that wasn't Enter the Dragon :D) that I have watched dramatically slowed down so I could take on the arts on display - that's when I realised that the Green Destiny actually changes hands about three times in one of the passes!

Thank you, Jill Bearup. I needed that.

Brilliant breakdown of a quality fight seen,thanks!

I’ve never really been into action or fighting movies but love this channel and the breakdowns of the scenes. I’ve been watching this channel a while and seeing how much thought and storytelling actually goes into the fights, and learning to think more critically about fight scenes has really piqued my interest. Probably gonna start by watching this movie- does anyone else have good recommendations? 👀

Excellent analysis! Thanks for sharing.

cool movie. I appreciate your continued interest in checking out "older" action films like this

Awesome analysis again Jill. Thanks.

She Lien: -This is my bitch cutting sword!! - - the name's a bit long- - My bitch sword!- - Not classy enough- -... my BROAD SWORD!!! -

These fight scene analyses are always super interesting, even though I've never seen this particular movie before =)

I do, I do kinda love it and this is definitely making me want to watch the film again. All these fight scene analyses are fab!

I had forgotten how wonderful this movie is. It would be better now I think as i could appreciate it more, thanks to my kids & talking about all sorts of aspects of movies. Time to see where i can re-watch it.

I loved this movie, when I saw it, years ago ... Now that I listen to your comments, waiting for a chance to watch "Cobra Kai" season for, sifting through spoilers, I realize how much I would appreciate Your commentary on that series, fight scenes, troubled youths and crising middle aged champions , and scheming instructors ...

I love your analysis of this scene. I have to rewatch this movie! 🙏😊❤️

One of my favourite films. Lovely to hear your critique of that scene. And yes spear wobbling 😀