Hero

Zhang Yimou has been the darling of the arthouse crowd outside of China ("Raise High the Red Lantern", "Not One Less", "To Live", "Red Sorghum"), but his relationships with the Chinese government censors have not always been easy. In this movie he tries to please everyone and to the extent that many people found "Hero" to be compelling cinema, he has succeeded.

Indeed one might say that with this movie Mr. Zhang has finally removed any doubt that he is the ultimate symbol of modern Chinese popular culture: Aesthetically exciting, full of energy and movement, both engaging and appalling in his treatment of individual lives, and in the last analysis, more concerned with success and with keeping himself in good grace with the government than in making a stand for any kind of progressive politics.

"Hero" as has been said by many others, is a visually stunning peice of film-making and quite possibly the most beautiful film of 2004, and perhaps the five years before that as well. The acting particularly by the dramatic leads (Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung) is spectacular and supporting performances by Jet Li, Donny Yen and Chen Daoming are excellent. Zhang Ziyi does her usual histrionic eye-candy routine. Personally I am not a great fan, but she does her job and doesn't get in the way too much. Why Tony Leung would have chosen her over the infinitely-sexier Maggie Cheung is way beyond me, but I digress.

The story is typically Chinese in that character is not nearly as important as plot. The job of the actor is to suggest character depth based on the parameters of the character given. In some cases e.g. Donnie Yen's aristocratic Sky, this can be done even with minimal lines. In other cases, most obviously Jet Li's performance as Nameless, the character serves to drive the plot and is not meant to be psychologically complex or emotionally compelling.

My personal view of "Hero" is that it is Zhang Yimou's answer to the philosophical issues raised by Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", in which duty and happiness are juxtaposed against one another, with the moral victory going to the latter.

For Zhang, the answer is not nearly as clear. "Hero" ends with the defeat of the forces of beauty, skill and integrity, and the triumph of totalitarianism and unflinching vision. QIn Shihuang is a monster, Zhang posits, but he is the only man who can unite the country and usher in 3000 years (or however many it currently is) of Chinese greatness.

As someone who had friends who were in Tiananmen Square the night the tanks rolled in, I can't say I have a lot of sympathy for this view. As a successful movie maker and, at the time, the romantic partner of the aforementioned Miss Zhang, Zhang Yimou may have the luxury of being resigned to the course of Chinese history, but if China is to take it's rightful place among the great nations of the world, there'd better be a more robust moral compass in effect than the one that he seems to be backing in this movie. Not everyone agrees with this view of course. For a very well-thought-through argument against this position see Jenny Kwok Wah Lau's discussion of "Hero" in Jumpcut vol. 49.

If your a Nartial Arts fan this movie is ok, the fighting is ok. But the directing is bad so is the script. I can be hard to follow at times. I think this movie was very boring and cant understand how it has 5 stars

HERO is a cinematic Martia Arts masterpiece comparable to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "House of Flying Daggers." With great actors such as Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung how can this movie not miss!

The plot takes place 2000 years ago, with 7 warring states in the Chinese region. The ruler of Qin (Chen Dao Ming) wants to conquer his fellow states, and unite China. Assassins are after him, and thus he shields himself in the palace to keep all but his most loyal followers away from him. A prefect from Qin is summoned to the King, as he has killed 3 assassins who have been attempting to take the King's life for some years! Nameless (Jet Li) comes to the King, and then relates his story on how he killed each of the 3 assassins.
The first battle is between Nameless and Sky (played by Donnie Yen). For those waiting for the sequel battle to "Once Upon a Time in China II", you will not be disappointed. The scene is intense: as they battle in a rainy courtyard, with a music player providing background music. So intense in fact, that eventually the battle is fought within their minds!
Next, Nameless tells the King he travels to a small calligraphy school to encounter the assassins Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Broken Sword (Tony Leung) who are currently lovers at odds. There is a beautiful scene where the King's army lays assault to the school with arrows, as the students and teacher perform calligraphy. Eventually, Nameless challenges them to a duel, but they cannot decide who goes. Flying Snow stabs Sword, but then has to first fight Moon, (Zhang Ziyi), who is Sword's apprentice. When Snow kills Moon, she goes to battle Nameless, who defeats and kills her! Following all of this? When Nameless finishes his story, the King does not believe him. And thus enfolds, the rest of the story from the King's viewpoint, and then what really happened! I was impressed by the depth of the characters and story, that eventually leads to the sad climax, and the true meaning of "Our Land" !
The movie is visually stunning! The background, the remote locations, the costumes, and the use of colors are awesome. The director uses coloring to influence the characters and the scenes! From the brightness of the yellow leaves, to the blue lake, to the green sheets in the palace, all the coloring is an explosion on your eyesight.
There are some extras on the DVD:
* Hero Defined: is basically an overview on what Director Zhang Yimou thought of the movie as he began production of the script, and how he wanted to make a "Swordsman" movie and what it takes to make a "Hero". I am still amazed that this was his first action film! Impressive! Also, for the lake scene, it took them 20 days to film the scene, as they could only shoot from 10am to 12Noon, because of the calmness of the lake at that particular period.
* Storyboards
* Conversation with Quentin Tarantino and Jet Li: An informational talk about martial arts films, and Jet Li's various performances in them.
* Soundtrack Spot

If you love action and martial arts films, you will love "Hero". Jet Li is awesome, as are the rest of the cast. The movie is visually stunning, and the martial arts and swordplay are intense and exciting! A definite must add for any DVD collection !

Jet Li pulls it off again. One of his better, epic films of 2000, this film has a very deep plot. While action and fight scenes are a little skiddish, the film is action packed overall and is filled with talented actors. Definite keeper for your Jet Li Collection and also one of his last 'epic' films to be created.

HERO is a like a beautifully choreographed epic dance [with plenty of stylized violence, as well as human drama]. The use of color and camera tricks is fabulous, and, the use of color to depict moods and set the atmosphere, is eye popping. This really was reminiscent of Chinese hand painted screens, for me. Some people have compared the retelling of the story (from three different perspectives) as similar to the approach of RASHOMAN (directed by Akira Kurosawa). The question that remains for us is whether "Nameless" (Jet Li) is a ruthless murderer or a fearless warrior who has taken a stand for those castaways from the lower rungs of society. The supporting cast is equally intriguing in their roles, and, the lines between good and evil become increasingly blurred through character examination and the reallignment of the angles of human manipulation. The story is as much psychological as it is action-packed. I'm only sorry that I waited too long and only saw it on DVD. This is one of those films that comes alive more on the big screen. Director Zhang Yimou did a fantastic job and I am sure that this film will be honored for years to come.