Netflix debuts their trailer for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny!”
It’s been 16 years since the first “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” film debuted and now we finally have a sequel. But while the original subtitled martial arts film wowed audiences with it’s fluid choreography and special effects, myself, and probably many others, are wondering if the sequel will hold water. Take a look at the trailer for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” below and then we’ll discuss.
Two things worry me about this film, relevance and necessity. After 16 years, the industry has changed quite a bit. While the first “Crouching Tiger” set a precedence for martial arts stunts and choreography, this genre has evolved quite a bit. Many films that followed “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” emulated this formula and saturated the market. Some were good and some were bad, but the production of these copycat films stimulated the technology and style of filmmaking. After 16 years of evolution, I’m wondering if this title will remain relevant in the public’s eye.
Even if “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” finds relevancy, the idea of a sequel seems to be more force-fed than appeasing audiences’ demand. The first film found closure and made its mark on the industry, so this sequel seems to not be as supplemental as Netflix intends it to be.
I admit that I will probably watch it, but it’s not going to be an anticipated viewing like some of Netflix’s other originals. This trailer hasn’t sold me on the film, but I could be putting my foot in my mouth after watching.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny” will premiere on February 26, 2016 through Netflix.
View Comments (1)
I horribly biased here. It has Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen. That by itself sells me. That's enough to make me drop what I'm doing and pay attention, so obviously, I'll be watching this.
I do have one point that worries me: the use of CGI for fight scenes as is shown in the pagoda fight scene in the trailer. I do realized that for fight scenes in the superhero genre you'll have to use CGI to suppliment. Croching Tiger, Hidden Dragon blew away audiences with wonderfully choreographic fights and excellent use of wire work. Those fight scenes still hold up. I do hope that this new film holds true what made the first film great.
As for has the genre moved past the standard that CTHD set, let's consider what has happened since the movie. The raise of MMA. The thai movies like Ong Bak, Chocolate, and the Raid series. Television upping their game on fight choreo (honestly, 2015 was like different shows trying to out-do each other in fight scenes). The highly stylized kung fu work is not in fashion, but currently we have a very real and brutal feel to fight scenes being popular. Viewers aren't looking for magic so much as something that looks like a real fight.
I do think there's a core audience that will be served by this new movie, and I think it'll do very well. However, I'm not expecting this to spawn a movement like the first one did. It would be a pleasant surprise if it did.