A Review by Phil Calabro
***HIGHLY RECOMMENDED***
*** #2 - TOP 10 OF 2004 ***
2002, Miramax, Dir. Zhang Yimou - Starring Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Ziyi Zhang, Daoming Chen, Donnie Yen, Liu Zhong Yuan, Zheng Tia Yong, Yan Qin, Chang Xiao Yang, Zhang Ya Kun, Ma Wen Hua, Jin Ming, Xu Kuang Hua, Wang Shou Xin
Having rested on Miramax's shelves for two years without a definite release date, Hero proves to be one of the most underestimated films Harvey Weinstein let lie on the ground. The first impression a movie like 'Hero' would give me is a Chinese-produced 'King Arthur', with wild battle scenes and some gorgeous Asian counterpart to sum up the film - but fortunately, it proves to be the antithesis. Asian films have, for the most part, had a knack for presenting some very peaceful visuals in their movies. 'Crouching Tiger' was a prime example of this, although I was never a big fan of the film itself. It may come across to some that 'Hero' is director Zhang Yimou's homage piece to Japanese cinema pioneer Akira Kurosawa, and if so a very respectful one. With a dash of the gracefulness from 'Rashômon' through the dreamish sequences, 'Hero' is one of the most illustrative masterpieces of all foreign film. For being Hong Kong's most expensive film to date, its money has gone to a great cause.
Hero details a set of flashbacks during the Qin Dynasty from a young nameless minor official of China (Li) who has defeated three of the greatest assassins just to get to meet the emperor of Qin(Chen), who wants to hear his story. Nameless explains how he got past the impenetrable forces of assassins Long Sky (Yen), as well as lifelong couple Broken Sword (Wai) and Flying Snow (Cheung). Nameless must show the emperor how to achieve peace altogether in his country, but the king has suspicions about the young man's appearance amongst him - beliefs that the whole meeting was a setup in order for Nameless to assassinate him. The different sides of the story are all explained a la 'Rashômon'.
Jet Li, at the one instance in his career, excepted a pay cut to appear in the film - for the role he most deserved. He shows a stern ability to keep a rock-hard appearance as well as an skilled swordsman. He has the feel of a vigilante, almost Charles Bronson's character from 'Death Wish' - he comes right when you least expect it. Here he is given the chance to do everything: to use his martial arts skills, his classical acting skills, and his culture. This is Li's most accomplished role in his career, and a must-see for fans. Wai and Cheung, who play Broken Sword and Flying Snow respectively, have amazing chemistry, and hold the same stern demeanor that Li has. Their relationship dominates a large portion of the film, but all the more - without them, the different perspectives of the story would be completely skewed, ruining the story. They work well as both soft-hearted lovers as well as deadly assassins.
This ties with 'Spring Summer Fall Winter and Spring' in the award for best visual effects of the year. The sights of the Chinese countryside, and inside the massive palaces of the officials is simply breathtaking, letting nature run its course in every direction it chooses. The mixture between the action and the visuals are at an ambient balance, so as to not intensify either of them. There is one scene that trumps most I have ever seen - a sword fight between Nameless and an angry Broken Sword, whose love has just died, but there's a catch. It's taken place entirely on water. They pounce their feet upon the lake, jumping in the air and clashing swords against each other. As they descend, their swords softly cut into the water, then dip back out again. This continues into climax for another five minutes, but it's undeniably one of the most imaginative fight scenes in a movie.
Hero is an amazing movie of color and proportion, and definitely one of the year's best. The Weinstein brothers is chickening out, who would rather sack more money off a angry political statement than distribute films such as 'Hero' and 'Prozac Nation'. It's been a tough job trying to pick out the flaws of this movie, but it's pretty much a gem in the making.
