There’s probably no point in asking “Was anyone asking for… ?” questions when it comes to sequels anymore. Studios love to utilize popular brands and acclaimed films with name recognition. And with streaming providers like Netflix and Amazon getting into the film production game, the need for more content is pronounced.
So while a sequel to 2000’s balletic martial arts epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon may not have gotten a theatrical release, it’s found a welcome home on Netflix, which may actually be the perfect home for it. It’s so much easier to take a chance on a movie when you can just call it up on your computer or set-top box as part of your monthly subscription, rather than shell out $15 for a ticket and make your schedule around showtimes.
Michelle Yeoh returns as Yu Shu Lien for this follow-up, with Woo-Ping Yuen taking over directorial duties from Ang Lee. As you can see from this trailer, Lien just wanted to live the quiet life but gets pulled back into conflict. I’m guessing she’s not too old for this shit. Check out the trailer for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.
The original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon won four Oscars, including Best Foreign Film, and began Lee’s ascent to A-list director status. This sequel obviously doesn’t have the same pedigree, but certainly looks to be nearly as ambitious with the beautifully shot ancient Asian landscapes, meticulous set and costume design, and of course, the elaborately choreographed martial arts sequences incorporating hand-to-hand combat and swordplay.
Some fans don’t like the wire work that was popularized in the late-90s with the Matrix films and the first Crouching Tiger. Especially in comparison to the more kinetic, ground-based action seen in recent movies such as The Raid. But there was definitely an audience for these artful, epic martial arts films at one point, and Netflix is obviously hoping that those people will have their interest rekindled. The popularity of AMC’s Into the Badlands might indicate that this sequel is coming at just the right time.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny will be available on Netflix (in addition to a release in IMAX theaters) Feb. 26, 2016.
[io9]
