Movie Reviews
This is a story of loyalty, betrayal, friendship, lust, and ultimately assassination. It’s an action film of the highest caliber that slows only when it absolutely needs to. Told in flashback, “Hero” is the story of a kingdom in China and how the Emperor planned to destroy all the other seven nations of China in order to make one country. This is a masterfully executed piece of cinema with spectacular action sequences that are highly original, if not totally bogus.
But that’s okay because although we’ve seen some of this before, “Hero” takes it all to different levels. It consists of fluid cinematography and pinpoint stunts that are nothing short of mind boggling.
This film was released in 2002 in China, and was a huge success in that country. It went on to be nominated for the American Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Now, this is sure to be a huge success in the States as well.
This is a film of subtle power that is topped with just the right amount of style. It’s not so much that the director looks as though he’s showing off. It that were the case, the entire film would be for nothing because most of it contains that kinds of stylized action. Admirable action, for that matter. “Hero” is a breathtakingly beautiful movie both in scenery and action, but also in story...even if that story is a struggle to follow.
In fact, that would be the sole downfall of it all: simply that it is moving in so many directions – not to mention being told in flashback – that all the characters and plots seemed to become too blended. However, I came away not caring, as the sooth of the action was well worth admission price. *** ½