Hero

This movie was showing with no sound on a TV in a Chinese antique store. I was turned to stone. Every single frame, for as long as I stood there, could be framed and hung on the wall. It is that beautiful. So I don't need to know about the story at all. Of course, I bought it immediately.

I am a huge Jet Li fan. I've never seen a quinton terantino film that I've liked. I think he is a horrible director. This is the only movie with Jet Li that I didn't like. Everything about it is terrible.

When ordering House of Flying Daggers/Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon I got a recommendation for this film and as the majority of the comments I read were quite favourable, I decided to give it a try. I'm not absolutely dissatisfied with the film as I did like the dresses, colour design, and the visual harmony, however the message of the film, and the whole plot is subordinate to it, is completely unacceptable to me.

The film puts the empire ideal on pedestal, which I know is fashionable nowadays even in wealthy democracies, but we have to see that this film is a clear answer to criticisms about the Tianmen square massacre and the cruel oppression of Tibet. The choice of warring kingdoms versus one big peaceful empire is itself a misrepresentation as it neglected the third most obvious possibility: making peace, which I must agree might not have been an option 2000 years ago at the birth of the Chinese Empire but should be now.

All in all, the film is watchable, not because of its intellectual level, which could hardly be lower, but because it is just beautiful, the actors and actresses look marvellous in their garbs the colours and styles of which always perfectly match (or harmonise with) the set and the background.

Great movie, a classic for all times, done with exceptional grace and style. The story, direction, talent, and cinematography are top notch; a must for any Jet Li fan or fan or martial arts films.

The first time I saw this movie I wasn't sure whether or not I thought it was as good as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", or "House of Flying Daggers". I liked it but it took time to sink in.

By the second time I watched this I loved it. The cinematography is outstanding. The use of special effects are very good, they don't get in the way, but simply add to each scene. The music is good. And the story itself is told in an interesting way.

There is much more, there is a metaphoric use of colors in each scene. And there are plenty of impressive things from warriors so powerful they do battle within their minds, to a wise character named Broken Sword, who fights with just that. All of them have names except the main character, Nameless. And when watching the movie you will understand why.

If the movie has any weakness in my opinion it's that the ending with a couple of the characters is just a bit drawn out and could have been shortened and still retained the same effect.

There is a lot more, but really everyone who likes movies should watch this and see for themself.