Hero (DVD, 2004)

Fans of the martial arts and/or Hong Kong dramas will be delighted with the stellar cast assembled for this magnificent epic. Three top stars from Wong Kar-Wai's dreamy fantasy 2046 are reunited here: Tony Leung Chiu Wai (Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love) is a standout as the one assassin who realizes the ultimate intent of the hated King of Qin; Maggie Cheung Man-Yak is memorable as his relentless partner who would hound the king to his grave; and the ubiquitous Ziyi Zhang plays the modest yet passionate servant who would kill for her master (Leung). Jet Li stars as the Nameless assassin who enlists the help of the top three assassins in China (Leung, Cheung, and renowned martial artist Donnie Yen) to assist him in dispatching the king once and for all. Nameless spins the king a tale of how he defeated each assassin in order to obtain their hallmark weapons, which he produces during his tale. The king points out the holes in each of Nameless' stories, and the cat and mouse game is spun through several different scenarios in flashback. The story is based loosely on the legendary Jing Ke, the assassin who attempted to murder the King of Qin.

Director Zhang Yimou's sumptuous presentation brings the latest in high-kicking kung fu to the screen, with each flashback memorable for stunning monochromatic visuals, highly anticipated kung fu confrontations, and a story that resounds with a gamut of emotions including undying love, deep-seated hate, ruthless revenge, jealousy, betrayal, and friendship, and culminating in understanding and the ultimate sacrifice. This is considered by many as the ultimate adventure film of the wuxia genre, and should not be missed. Christopher Doyle's lush cinematography, featuring stunning and brightly colored costuming and dizzying scenes of natural splendor, won numerous international awards and recognition, and is one of the most compelling features of the film.

The story has garnered some criticism, especially for the sympathetic portrayal of the King of Qin who ultimately united the middle kingdoms of China under one rule and became China's first emporer. While he was responsible (among other things) for unifying language, systems of weights and measures, and completing the Great Wall of China, he is also known as a brutal, ruthless tyrant.

Hero is a five-star, beautiful, emotional, and visually appealing epic that should not be missed, deserving a spot in every movie libary.

Pros - Advanced kung fu techniques and battle sequences; lush, breathtaking cinematography; emotionally charged plot; top-notch acting by the cream of Hong Kong cinema; haunting and memorable soundtrack; compelling storyline.

Cons - There have been some complaints by viewers that the subtitles go by too fast (not my personal opinion); subtle storytelling may need multiple viewing to fully understand plot; questionable historical perspectives. Those looking for an "action packed" film will undoubtedly be disappointed; the story is a drama with intermittent fight scenes.