A Visual Masterpiece; A Feast for the Sense
Written: Dec 06 '04 (Updated Dec 07 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Visuals are stunning, acting is superb.
Cons: Sub-titles are hard to keep up with.
The Bottom Line: In the final analysis, Hero is a movie well worth seeing, again and again.
|
|
|
| vemartin's Full Review: Hero (2004) |
"In every war there are Hero's on both sides." In the West among the more common folk (and let's face it, the not-so-common folk as well) China and its vast, long, and proud history, remains a mysterious land wrapped in a shroud of uncertainty. It goes without saying that the Chinese culture is as different from Western cultural norms as the light side of the moon is from the dark. And that is what makes Hero, the latest film from acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou (Ju Dou, The Story of Qiu Ju, Raise the Red Lantern) such a treat to watch, and dare I say, an experience to be savored. Hero is a stunning and magnificent visual achievement. I saw the movie on DVD on a 32" television and it was breathtaking; I can only imagine with Hero must look like in theatrical release. But, more on the later.
The Story
Nominated twice for an Oscar for Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern (another great movie which I thoroughly enjoyed), Zhang has heralded his emergence onto the international arena with Hero, which has already, earned a Golden Globe foreign film nomination. Can another Oscar nomination, this time for best film, or undoubtedly best cinematography be at hand?
Hero opens in third century B.C., a period when the China we know today was splintered into a multitude of provinces constantly at war with each other, each trying to gain the upper hand. It is a period not unlike the cultural, economic and to a lesser extent, political changes sweeping China today.
But one ruler, the King of the province of Qin (Daoming Chen) is attempting to unite the provinces through ruthless conquest and endless wars in order to bring peace to the land. And three celebrated assassins Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Long Sky (Donnie Yen) have been attempting to kill the king for infraction(s) yet unnamed. One day, a seemingly lowly and anonymous county prefect (hereafter referred to as the Nameless One), portrayed by Jet Li (Lethal Weapon 4, Romeo Must Die, Kiss of the Dragon) arrives at the king's palace with evidence that he has incredibly dispatched the three sword masters.
At the king's request, the Nameless One recounts how he dispatched the three assassins, and with each telling he moves closer to the King; first 100 paces, then 20 paces and finally 10 paces from the throne. The king however, points out inconsistencies and discrepancies in the would-be hero's narrative, leading to the conclusion that Nameless One is being less than forthcoming in his rather detailed recitation of events, and that substantial details have been omitted. And thus we are treated to two narratives; the Nameless One's recounting and the king's hypothesis of events.
The first fight scene, between the Nameless One and Long Sky, sets the tone of the film. The fight sequences are fast, visually lush, clever, a thrill to watch, and astonishing to contemplate. How do they manage to get some of those amazing shots of humans taking flight and steal bending at will to look so real and un-manipulated? We'll probably never know. And that sits well with me, I do not want to know, it would void the movie of its magic for me.
Layers
Comparisons to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are inevitable, but Hero is more complex, its layers have a deeper more spiritual, if not convoluted meaning. Pay close attention or you will quickly become lost as the movie splinters time, weaving in and out of the past and the present with seamless ease as the Nameless One recounts his tale. The king knows that the Nameless One could be there to assassinate him, the master among masters, but he is as intrigued as we are to know the full recounting of the Nameless One's story, and he allows him to approach within 10 paces of his throne, enough to dispatch the king if he so desired.
Much of Hero's ideas and symbolism will not translate readily to Western viewers; our spiritual center is too far removed from that of the Eastern soul, but that does not make the movie any less enjoyable, or visually spectacular. There are deep and meaningful Eastern philosophies at work throughout Hero, as well as a respect for China's turbulent and oft-violent history. Those of non-Chinese decent are left guessing at the full import of events, but there is a deeper human meaning that should appeal to all. Whatever the meaning however, one can still enjoy Hero on a strictly visual level, indeed the underlying premise of the story, that of noble deeds, and heroism almost seem incidental to the visual effects.
Cinematography akin to poetry
While the story line in Hero may leave one wondering about the sharpness of ones intellect and ability to master the complex, the visuals will grab you by the soul and never let go. Cinematographer Christopher Doyle offers up an astonishing feat of cinematography; the film is a feast for the eyes and soul alike.
Nearly every frame is impossibility beautiful to behold; the flowing vivid colors shot in slow motion are akin a canvas coming to life, with color dancing without end. The effect is also akin to poetry in motion; only these poetic verses are composed of color and motion in which no words are spoken, but emotional relevance in conveyed from the eyes to the soul. The human characters were made more awesome, more beautiful, and more fluid by dressing them in clothing that rippled and gestated on the wind and filmed in slow motion, making them appear more like demi-gods then mere humans. The fight sequence between Flying Snow and her lovers apprentice Moon is typical of the scenes in Hero: The women are dressed in flowing dresses of bright silky red, and the leaves that swirl and fall around them in improbable quantities are bright yellow and orange, which at the end of the sequence turn a rich deep, dark red. Even on a 32" screen it was breathtaking, I can only imagine the same scene as projected on a screen 20 feet tall and 47 feet high!
And while the sword play is typical of movies of this genre, the precise manner in which the camera follows the blades is spellbinding. It has to be seen, no words exist that can adequately define the visual effects. Breathtaking, awesome, astounding, spectacular, these descriptors can only begin to describe the unfolding visual poetic dance that takes place on the screen throughout Hero.
Conclusion
Hero is not without its foibles however. As in all foreign films I found the subtitles a distraction; while I am looking down at the bottom of the screen, the action taking place on the rest of the screen is escaping my notice. But the dialog is as important as the rest of the film, and so something is lost. But that is a minor concern. And as a Westerner, I am used to fuller more robust character development. I was disappointed that Hero was only 90 minutes long, more time I believe could have been spend on the assassins' motivations, or am I expecting too much.
In the final analysis, Hero is a movie well worth seeing, again and again. And while I would have loved to have seen it on the theater sized screen, I am extremely happy to have seen it at all.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
vemartin
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Member: Vincent
Location: Aurora, IL
Reviews written: 1378
Trusted by: 549 members
About Me:
...A Great Empire cannot be Conquered from Without until it first Destroys itself From Within...
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.