That probably sounds like enough plot for your standard martial-arts film, but there are several more running subplots, including the long unspoken passion between Yu and Shu Lien, as well as the seemingly ill-fated romance between Jen and Lo (Chang Chen), a Mongolian horseman.

Add to that an almost poetic script (by Wang Hui Ling, Tsai Kuo Jung and James Schamus, whose Mandarin-to-English subtitle translations are very well done), Tan Dun's gorgeous score and spectacular action scenes.

Perhaps what's most surprising about the action is that the film comes from a director (Ang Lee) whose work has been dominated by character pieces and period dramas ("Sense and Sensibility," "The Ice Storm"). However, seeing this, you have to wonder what took him so long to try action on for size.

Speaking of "why-haven't-they-done-this-before?" concepts, the initial pairing of Chow and Yeoh, who were both huge stars in Hong Kong before coming overseas, pays big dividends.

Not only do they have the physical presence needed for their roles, their chemistry makes the relationship between their characters extremely believable and almost heartbreaking.

If you had to say one performer really stands out here, though, it's Yeoh, who even manages to outshine Zhang, though Zhang will definitely be a huge star after this.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is rated PG-13 for nonstop martial-arts violence, including hand-to-hand combat and weapons battles, brief gore (nongraphic) and a brief, fairly discreet, sex scene. Running time: 120 minutes.

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