Mugwai asks Jet Li "Did you ever know that you're my hero?"
Publisher: Buena Vista
Tue, 29 March 2005
by: Mugwai
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Director: Zhang Ylmou
Stars: Jet Li, Chen Dao Ming, Zhang Zlyl
This is a beautiful movie. A cerebral experience, for me so much that I felt guilty for watching any mainstream blockbuster film afterwards. I’m not meaning to be poignant here, though this is not just an incredible martial arts movie and that it is. Behind the almost operatic and visually dramatic fight sequences, is an incredible tale of honour, love, passion and wisdom with the age old proverb – the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
This story is a difficult one to describe without blowing things for y’all. The premise is Jet Li plays a sheriff of his province, who has defeated three assassins dedicated to the demise of the emperor of Qin. The emperor who, although he is waging war against every province of China, has an honourable goal, unification, a country of peace, a misaligned but noble aspiration. Li (only known as Nameless) is presented before him and the film revolves around his description to the emperor how he has hunted these three extraordinary assassins to prevent their plan to dethrone him. All this is shown in flashback and features some amazing cinematography and storytelling.
Cinematography first. Hero is a visual splendor, fights where leaves whirlpool in a forest as cover for opponents, Nameless deflecting a thousand arrows with one sword and an almost ballet like battle on a remote, picturesque lake. The blend of martial arts, wire work and cg effects are a sight to behold (even better visually than Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Every swirling leaf, every droplet of water, every meticulously performed move, is a true work of art. Director Zhang Ylmou is a credit to the already high standard of movie makers in China.
The beauty of this film is despite the visual quality, I found the story captivated me even more. This is an epic tale that is the perfect contrast to the action. Unless you are an impatient kung fu action fan, it’s impossible to ignore the well spun tale in this movie. Regardless of whether you appreciate the Chinese way of drama, it is powerful none the less.
Jet Li is the most accomplished of all martial artists in this genre (I will argue this point with anyone) and although not everyone appreciates wire work, he is still flawless. Every move is meticulous, and anyone who has ever seen his work, knows he has the ability to fight in almost style with equal dedication.
Let’s not dismiss the fact that unlike many martial arts fighters, Li is an incredibly accomplished actor and though Hero may not be the best example of his acting, Li is convincing. His face shows the anguish and conflict of his character more than his dialogue.
The rest of the cast are also exceptional. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai is moving as the lugubrious and foresighted assassin, as is Chen Dao Ming as the king. The stunningly beautiful Zhang Zlyl (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) is also commendable as the loyal and passionate student.
Picture quality is absolutely perfect as is the sound, I recommend purchasing the score for this film on CD, as there is some wonderful orchestration courtesy of Tan Dun and performed by the Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of China and the Kodo Drummers of Japan. Very moving.
There’s no negativity to this review, except that maybe a few more extras would have been nice, but hey before Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon became an award winner, you couldn’t easily buy Chinese Kung Fu on DVD, let alone see movies of this caliber released here ( even though we had to wait three years for Hero). Any extras on Li are good regardless of how relatively limited they might be.
Also, Jet Li’s “Once upon a Time in China” (arguably one of his best movies) is also available, with plenty of bountiful extras on his extraordinary talent and Kung Fu choreography and is an essential purchase for any Jet Li/Kung Fu fan.
I just wish we were blessed with more movies with this creative blend of warfare and storytelling.
by: Mugwai
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This is an immaculate movie, a visual and emotional delight and purchase would be a wise decision. | |
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