Jet Li seems to have limited success in Hollywood. The box office records might suggest that he is doing well but anyone who has seen any of his Hollywood films would probably tell you that they are mostly crap. Cue ‘The One’. As I have always said, if you want to see Li at his artistic best, you have to watch one of his Hong Kong films. After nearly half a decade in Hollywood, Li finally returns to starring in a Chinese production alongside his native local talents.
Set in the period of the 7 kingdoms, Hero or ‘Ying Hung’ (as it is pronounced in Cantonese), is the story of Nameless (played by Jet Li) who after defeating all the potential assassins to the King of the Qin, the 7th Kingdom, finally meets the king himself to tell his triumphant story. Nameless has the honour of sitting and dining 10 paces away from the king and the king is anxious to know how Nameless managed to wipe out the fear which has kept the king in his castle for countless number of years. So begins the story told in flashbacks from the view of Nameless, which sees him killing the biggest threats to the king, Broken Sword
(Tony Leung Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Sky (Donnie Yen).
Having encountered the powerful assassins before, and having nearly been executed, the powerful king is suspicious of Nameless’s story and his alleged defeat of the 3, and in turn interprets how the events may have truly happened. Who is the so-called Nameless and how could he have defeated the 3 biggest threats to the Qin kingdom?
It’s a simple story and is loosely based on a period that is considered to be one of the greatest moments in China’s history just before all the states were united into what is now known as the Peoples Republic.
Following the critically acclaimed (some might think slightly over-rated) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (CTHD) a few years ago by director Ang Lee, Miramax have come up with another film fantastic for its over the top martial arts with wires and beautiful cinematography. This time the film is directed by internationally acclaimed director Yimou Zhang, who is famed for Raise the Red Lantern.
Li’s talent really does show here (unlike in his Hollywood films) as HE can really act given the right material. The ever so elegant Maggie Cheung is mesmerising as Flying Snow. You may have never heard of her before but she was the one in Project A and various films with Jackie Chan in the 80’s. How time has been good to her as she still looks very good for her age!
Depending on what you own views are on CTHD, you will either love Hero or loathe it. If the thought of watching people fighting kung fu whilst tip toeing from tree to tree or bouncing off water, basically anything that defies gravity doesn’t bother you then you’re in for a treat. If on the other hand, you don’t buy it, and find it a tad bit OTT, then you will probably think no better of this film. It is very similar in many ways; the great landscape visuals, the martial arts choreography, right down to the soundtrack, which is incidentally written by the same composer Tan Dun who scored CTHD.
In a way, this is Hero’s biggest downfall; it just seems too much like a rehash of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon with different actors. You get the feeling you are watching the same film. The fact that Zhang Ziyi (one of the main characters in CTHD) is also in this film doesn’t help this either. The martial arts scenes are fantastic, especially with Li at his best, but do fall short of the ‘wow’ factor encountered with CTHD.
Thankfully the breathtaking cinematography and story make up for it. The attention to detail is just astounding. For example, each set of flashback is set with a different tone of colour, one in red, one in blue, one in green and this helps the audience to be less confused when watching all the flashbacks.
Just don’t expect the film to be fast and furious as it is quite slow and demands for your undivided attention to see it through to the grand finale, which in my opinion is worth the wait. I know the fact that the film’s language is in Mandarin hinders the enjoyment slightly due to having to read subtitles, but be patient and the end is rewarding. I know there has been a lot of a comparison to CTHD in my opinion, but I felt that the story in Hero was more satisfying.
Hero had a very short release in the US, but has since gained critical acclaim amongst filmgoers and critics. Miramax never really promoted the film properly and it is still awaiting a UK release. That is if it ever gets one. It has won awards at Cannes and was nominated by the Oscars and Golden Clobes for best Foreign film, but never won, I guess due to the fact that it was to similar to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. If you are interested in seeing it, it is already available on DVD and VCD to buy from places like www.cd-wow.com, or www.yesasia.com as well as from private sellers on eBay.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1981 - Martial Arts - Director: Kenji Misumi, Robert Houston - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi, Shin Kishida, Masahiro Tomikawa, Tomisaburo Wakayama
Not too keen on the 'flying' thing but I might overlook this and watch Hero when I get a chance. Didn't really like CTHD but I thought the choreography was well done. Good fight scenes, asides form the flying, which is what I normally like to see.
fatsam21 10.10.2004 08:16
Good review, you sounds like this film has a little touch of class. One thing that gets me about CTHD is the sometimes over the top floating through the air fighting. Although at least it's different from the Matrix slow mo stuff
melodysparks 16.08.2004 00:51
Sounds like an excellent movie although not the type I usually would watch I might give it a watch
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