HERO

[bondish]

http://www.cinemovies.fr/images/data/photos/G1418917009267.jpg

HERO

Director: Yimou Zhang
Genre: Action/Adventure
Distributor: Miramax Films
Release Date(s): USA - November, New Zealand - 8 April, 2004
Synopsis: In ancient times China was divided into seven kingdoms. Qin, the king of the northern province, is under permanent threat of assassination attempts. His greatest fears are the warriors "Broken Sword", "Flying Snow" and "Sky". One day one of the magistrates of his kingdom enters the palace, claims that he defeated all three of the emperor's adversaries and tells his story; how he beat "Sky" in a duel and used the love between "Broken Sword" and "Flying Snow" to subdue them.
Starring: Jet Li (Nameless), Tony Leung Chiu Wai (Broken Sword), Maggie Cheung (Flying Snow), Ziyi Zhang (Moon), Daoming Chen (King of Quin), Donnie Yen (Long Sky, Silver Spear).
Trailer:
Click Here (http://www.movie-list.com/h/hero.shtml)

Well, when I downloaded the trailer for Hero, I thought it looked surprisingly good, despite being in Mandarin with English subtitles. I went to the effort and found the DVD of Hero (there are many Asians living in Auckland, and therefore a lot of DVD/VCD shops, pirated and non-pirated) in original copy. I found it quite confusing but after a couple of viewings, I decided it was an excellent movie. The action sequences are amazing, although not quite as hi-tech as "The Matrix", and you can see where the ropes have been cut out. The climax is suspenseful and somewhat provided you with a feeling of sadness, but this just shows how epic the movie is. It is also interesting to find out how the movie fits it with ancient chinese history (it explains at the end). I recommend anyone can see this when they can, as its a spectacular film. My rating: 8.5/10 or A

http://www.cinemovies.fr/images/data/photos/G14181822720641.jpg

More Images @ Cinemovies.fr (http://www.cinemovies.fr/fiche_photos.php?IDfilm=1418)

[bob]

Looks great, and a film with Jet Li AND Zhang Ziyi has my attention. Do you know if it has had any release stateside?

[bondish]

Its undated in November for the US.

[The 8 Ball]

Hero is one of my favorite films of 2002. Great acting, most notably by Maggie Cheung, whose character was great and so well dimensioned. The most visually beautiful film I've ever seen. Some of the shots just blew my mind. The fight scenes are great, the one between Jet Li and Donnie Yen is truly amazing. The finale blew me away.

10/10

[bob]

Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi, Maggie Cheung, AND Donnie Yen. This must be the Hong Kong equivalent to the Ocean's Eleven remake.

[pat00139]

Not only Jet Li and Zhang Ziyi and Maggie Cheung and Donnie Yen, but you also have Tony Leung AND Chen Daoming in this movie. Awesome flick, but I'll hate Miramax forever for what happened to it. I can't wait for the extended version to come out.

Anybody interested in seeing it can easily order it online from any number of asian DVD retailers. Just a word of warning, if you get the R3 Hong Kong 2-disk set, the second disk has virtually no English subtitles. Great set, though.

My favorite scene is the fight between Jet Li and Tony Leung on the lake.

[JCPhoenix]

I really enjoyed this movie but not as much as I had hoped I would (though I still liked it a lot, I was hoping for something that would be one of my all time favorites). The cast is stellar, but the movie feels a bit uneven here and there...maybe the extended cut does a lot to even this out a bit? I'm hoping so, I'm waiting for that cut.

The ending is masterfully done though, I just love that shot of the arrows (you know which i'm talking about if you've seen it...it stands out too much to be forgotten that easily)

8/10.

I prefer:

Crouching Tiger (10/10)
The Emperor and the Assassin (9/10)

[bowieee]

I kept seeing this at the comic con... but I said nah I'll wait but reading these reviews has peeked my interest... hmm I may pick up a copy tomorrow thanks : )

[Hannibal21]

I saw it back in China in the theatres. I must say that this is probably Zhang Yimou's weakest effort so far, but I was not in a good mood that day so that's why I may have not liked the film. But when I saw it I felt that the movie itself depended more on the cinematography/art direction, they were beautiful (moreso than Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) than the actual story. The fight sequences were great, the movie was beautiful, but I didn't get in to the story that much and the acting, for the most part was weak (Jet Li TOTALLY did not suit the part, he was just ugh); the performer in there that left the biggest impression was Maggie Cheung, a great actress who also did a great job in the film. When it comes out over here I'll see it again, or maybe get meself a bootleg copy, I think this will get better with repeated viewings.

6.5/10

Where I'm coming from?
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - 8/10
The Emperor and the Assassin - 9/10

[bowieee]

This may be one of the most beautifully shot movies I have ever seen. The scenes were breathtaking. The story was convulted and cofusing but also quite good at times. This director has a keen eye for visuals unlike any I've seen before. The whole arrow blocking sequence had me watching with my jaw scraping the floor. I am very very glad I picked this movie up.

[Buc_Nonsense]

when is Hero going to release in the US?

[Buc_Nonsense]

lol Never mind i didnt read the entire Thread.

[The 8 Ball]

Grrrr!!!! Those fucking fuckers at fucking Miramax decided to fucking push the U.S Hero release date to sometime in 2004!!!!

[James Logan]

Originally posted by The 8 Ball
Grrrr!!!! Those fucking fuckers at fucking Miramax decided to fucking push the U.S Hero release date to sometime in 2004!!!!

I was wondering why many Schmoes hadn't seen it yet...

If you're a fan of cool visuals, you gotta see this flick. It's gorgeous.

[bowieee]

Originally posted by James Logan
I was wondering why many Schmoes hadn't seen it yet...

If you're a fan of cool visuals, you gotta see this flick. It's gorgeous.

I'm all about visuals and this one heaped them on big time.

Beautiful.

[JCPhoenix]

When I first posted a message about this movie, it was a bit ago, but since then I've watched the movie maybe 3 or 4 more times, and it does indeed get better with repeated viewings. I still say the pacing is slightly off (which can be fixed with an extended cut) but believe me, the movie works well, and each time I see it, I appreciate it more. While my original rating was a 7/10 (upgraded to 8), my rating for this movie is currently 9.

It seriously didn't work totally for me first time I saw it, but trust me, you think about this movie more and more and it grows on you.

9/10

[JCPhoenix]

btw for those who criticize hero for a weak storyline, etc...this is from monkeypeaches.com:

Tianjin Daily reports the release of the extended version in China has been pushed back to next month. Near 20 minutes will be added back to the 98-minute theatrical version, which has been and will be shown around the world. According to someone from Face Audio & Video Production Co. Ltd., what will be added back includes some subplots, fight scenes and dialogues which could help the audiences to better understand the story and the history background. This is actually not an extended version but the original cut director Zhang Yimou wanted us to see. But, MiramAxe asked Zhang Yimou to trim it to 98 minute long. As the result, some reviewers have criticized the film for having a weak story. Because of SARS, the extended footage has been locked up in Hong Kong ever since. As the theatrical version, the extended version will also be available on DVD-5, DVD-9 and VCD (No video tape).

so we should wait and see for the extended cut which i am really hoping is the big masterpiece i'm looking for...

[Hannibal21]

Originally posted by JCPhoenix
It seriously didn't work totally for me first time I saw it, but trust me, you think about this movie more and more and it grows on you.

9/10

Really? I had a feeling that it might. I'll definitely see it again to see if my views on the film have changed since then. :) But I still don't think Jet Li suited his part. ;)

[JCPhoenix]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
Really? I had a feeling that it might. I'll definitely see it again to see if my views on the film have changed since then. :) But I still don't think Jet Li suited his part. ;)

yeah since the first time, i've watched it and i just seem to like it more and more. the akwardness i felt the first time watching was gone, and everything just felt like it flowed better after watching a couple times. I'm not saying it's perfect, since there are still flaws, and I really would like to see the extended version (and hope that's even better) but it's definitely a movie that grew on me (other movies that did the same sort of thing for me -Almost Famous, which went from an 8/10 to being my third favorite movie after a couple viewings, and The Virgin Suicides. Gosford Park also grew on me after repeat viewings).

As for the part of Nameless, just curious, who would be your "dream" actor to put in that role?

[Hannibal21]

Originally posted by JCPhoenix
As for the part of Nameless, just curious, who would be your "dream" actor to put in that role?

I'm not sure, really. But then again, I'm not a fan of Jet Li so that's probably why I didn't think he suited the role, I felt he was a bit wooden with his part and the emotions were lacking. But I'll see it again, maybe I am missing something.

[ze424]

well, I just saw this today, and apart from the visual beauty, the movie wasn't very good. Jet Li can't act!...and the story wasn't very good either. To me, the movie was boring and uninteresting and *I* didn't like the fights...

I'd give it a 5/10 because it had some good scenes and visually it was beautiful


PS: The fight in the water was ridiculous:D

[loconav]

check out these sites if you want it:
http://store.fivestarlaser.com/cgi-bin/ecommerce/index.html
hkflix.com
http://www.pokerindustries.com
they are not from miramax

[Cronos]

I really want to see this, ive only heard good things about it and cant wait for a release

[melody]

3/4 months from right now, all left in front of my eyes is colorful painting, a natural pigment brushing around and the beginning of the story structure is full of "oh,such is the case!"

[John Miller]

I myself is a kongfu fan, I live in Shanghai, In China, a lot of people treat this movie as a punchboard, there so many super stars in it, so large investment. but the story is really bad, though it has beautiful sences, and just soso action. Personally, I even think it's an
insult to our reputation, it's stupit, the worst movie from Jet Li ever.
At first, we people really look forward to this, and this one, rolled a big deal of money from our burse!!!
But it's for u, u western people!!!

[Damned Martian]

Hero - 7.5/10

Flawed, but still very good. It's one of the most beautifully shooted films in movie history without any doubt, but it didn't serve a purpose at its level. Too many sword fights that let too little time to develop the most interesting aspects of teh plot. The social and political messages are slimmed to give all the importance to the spirit/sword/caligraphy topic, and it's not that this isn't well made or it isn't interesting as well. It is that the other things should have been as deeply touched and complexly exposed as this. Then this movie would have been a masterpiece, because the material was really good.
That, some editing flaws (some scenes are abruptly edited and should have needed more detention, and there are some abrupt transitions among scenes as well), and the repetitiveness of some fights (as well as their, at times, too fantastic look a la CTHD, although they don't have anything to do thematically) hinder the movie.
Still, the eye is so impressed that it doesn't matter that much.

[casbboy]

I am looking to get the HERO dvd, with english subtitles, and the full original 120 minutes....

Can I find this version anywhere that is playable in US dvd player???

I checked out this link but don't know

http://store.fivestarlaser.com/cgi-bin/ecommerce/scan/st=db/sp=displaydvd/ac=yes/sf=0/op=em/op=rm/se=7473.html

Thanks
Ryan

[Sinncere]

Hero (2002, DVD)

Jet Li - Nameless
Tony Leung - Broken Sword
Daoming Chen - King of Qin
Maggie Cheung - Flying Snow
Donnie Yen - Long Sky
Zhang Ziyi - Moon

Written and Directed by Zhang Yimou



Synopsis:

In the Warring States period of Ancient China, the country was divided in seven kingdoms: Qin, Zhao, Han, Wei, Yan, Chu and Qi. For years that passed, each kingdoms diligently fought with one another for supremacy over the entire country. Throughout these years, the people of China witnessed nothing but decadence and suffering. Of the seven kingdoms, it was the kingdom of Qin that was most determined in its endeavor. Driven by his desire to be the country's first Emperor, the King of Qin led his kingdom with fierce determination. Because of that, the King of Qin has long been the target of many assassinations, but he feared none except for three exceptional warriors - Broken Sword, Flying Snow, and Long Sky. He feared them so much that to offered land, power, and mountains of gold to whoever manages the seemingly impossible task of defeating the three assassins.

But for ten years no one has been able to claim the prize. Until Nameless, a lowly county sheriff, comes to the palace bearing the weapons of the three legendary warriors. This exceptional feat has granted Nameless audience to the King of Qin, who has isolated himself for fear of the assassins' danger. Nameless told the story of how he defeated each warriors, and for every story told, he was allowed to sit closer and closer to the King, until he's only ten paces away. Nameless told his stories: studying the art of the sword in order to defeat Long Sky, and using the ultimate weapon against Broken Sword and Flying snow - their love for each other.

The King, transfixed by every detail of Nameless' story, is not without doubt himself. For every story Nameless told, the King recounted them in his own way, providing more insight in how Nameless came to sit so close to him. It appears nothing is what it seems, and Nameless, the lowly county sheriff, is not all that he claims to be. Between Nameless and the King of Qin is the ten paces that will write the history of China, and will reverberate in the people's hearts.



Sinncere's review:

"All under heaven."

Hero is a motion picture, literally, and in a manner of speaking. They say every picture is worth a thousand words. If that's true, then this movie will utilize every vernacular in your lexicon and will burn every page of every dictionary you can find. Every frame - read that - every frame is gorgeous. Do I sound like I'm exaggerating? Trust me, I'm only trying to measure up to the grandiose spectacle that this movie is in the visual sense.

Combining Zhang Yimou's vision through the lens with Christopher Doyle's masterful cinematography, Hero in itself could be muted of any sound and it will still be a breath-taking slide show. Ah, but how blessed are we that the movie's musical score is composed by the talented Tan Dun, who is of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame. I tell ya, strip the film of the dialogue and those three elements alone will compel me to go out in public with a mega-phone urging folks to ransack their nearest theatres and see this movie. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Find me an adjective surpassing that of "beautiful" and you just found me another word to describe this movie. Don't give me that "I've seen better" bullshit either - you ain't seen anything this consistent and grand as a whole. Trust that. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a diffused film compared to the saturated colors of Hero.

Enough of that, Hero doesn't lack in the story-telling department either, establishing most of the plot through flashbacks. The story is told in successions of mental recollections as each character tells their story, and another envisions it in a different manner. The plot stays "pending" until the final truth is revealed. The audience does not know who's telling the truth, which is actually the main point in the story. If one were really eager to find out, one can just pay attention to the colors (Yes, they're not just there for the "wow" factor). I have to admit, that was one of the main selling points for me - seeing the story unfold in different views. I felt it added much depth to a martial arts movie, which was more than I was accustomed to. In fact, by the end of the movie, I wasn't reeling from its martial arts sequences (although, I presumed they would initially), not at all. The fighting sequences were great, albeit, unconventional by the standards set of the majority of martial art movies I've seen. I still stand by my conviction that Jet Li's fight with Donnie Yen is well worth the price of the admission. But no, ultimately, I was taken by the story that was told, and how it was told.

Jet Li underplayed his character out of necessity, not out of lack of experience. At first, I thought that perhaps Jet was truly a successful figure in cinema only because of his martial arts prowess, but later realized how wrong I was upon thorough understanding of the plot. Tony Leung as Broken Sword was also successful as a man torn between what he believes and who he truly loves. I actually haven't seen In the Mood for Love, which is hailed as the film paradigm for Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung's screen chemistry. But even still, the chemistry between the two was undeniable in Hero. And Maggie Cheung - wow - is just beautiful, especially in red. Zhang Ziyi, the only other similar element from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon lends her skills to play Moon, the devoted disciple to Broken Sword. Daoming Chen was also effective as the King of Qin, able to do justice to every persona he was portrayed in. Kudos to Chen, his last sequence was heart-breaking.

There's really no point in me delving into the technicalities of its action sequences or special effects, for they were thoroughly dwarfed by the luscious beauty of the cinematography. I can't remember the last time I called a fight sequence beautiful, probably because I never have up until Hero. Hero is a fantasy martial arts film that doesn't feel like a fantasy story. With all of the unbelievable things you'll see, they only feel at home in such a wonderful paradise.

Hero may not be the first, or last movie you'll ever see that incorporates great martial arts, profound and compeling themes, fantastic cinematography, and unique story-telling in its entirety. But Hero is definitely one of the most outstanding movies to ever achieve a perfect balance with all of its elements. The result then becomes an experience that can break your heart, mold your spirit, and ultimately leave you breathless.

But not without embodying that which truly makes a person a hero.

Note: The only complaint I have are the abrupt cuts in the editing process, however, that may be due to the fact I had watched this movie in DVD, which may have been trimmed of some of the scenes for its running time.



Sinncere's favorite sequence:

The entire freakin' movie!
Honorable mentions however, are:

Jet Li and Donnie Yen's fight sequence. Out of that kinetic showdown, you'll be amazed by the cinematography (the rain against the blades alone, wicked).
Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi's fight sequence. That, was pretty! You just have to see it to truly appreciate it.
Underwater shot of people skipping on water. Clever placement of the camera. A fantastic shot.
Anytime the Qin soldiers fire their rain of arrows. Anything that happens from there on out is whoa!


It's too much. It really is. Even the DVD box is beautifully done. For real.



© Dennis Dumapias

[CoastGuard]

i love this movie but it was a shame it was cut by 23 minutes, i would want to see the full version of this film.

[HanasaMO]

Hero is the most sucessful film ever of the year, in which this movie was released. The most sucessful movie ever ~{#,~}I mean, it's not the best movie ever.
Yimou Zhang told the story with five kinds of colour, red, blue, green,black,white and the scene was the most beautiful ever.

[rilocay]

I saw the 99min Australian cut and damn did my jaw drop. This is the most spectacular film i have seen in the theatre foir quite some time.

Pitty it wasnt released uncut (128 min)...but what was cut in the first place?

[SIREN30]

I adored this movie. I really connected with it, more so than with Crouching Tiger which I thought would be impossible. Maybe it was the brilliant use of color, maybe Yimou's flawless direction.

I try not to take it to heart when people put it down but it really gets to me. My sister in law bought Crouching Tiger but when she started watching Hero, she HATED it (capitals intended) and turned it off about half an hour in. SHe said it was a rip off of Crouching Tiger and didnt need to be made. I asked her what she thought of the beautiful color at least and she said again that she thought it was a rip off of Crouching Tiger. So sad. I hate that people can't look beyond the slight similarities to see that it is actually a completely different type of story. I mean, do you call Platoon a rip off of Apocolypse Now just because they both have guns in them? Infuritating.:rolleyes: :mad: :p

[bob]

I loved every minute of this film. It's what I like to call "aggressively Chinese", what with the character names and emphasis on Chinese history and style, but it works wonderfully.

The Rashomon-like storytelling was done well, and the two martial arts specialists (Yen and Li) did a serviceable job.

The standouts, however, are Ziyi, Cheung, and Leung, who blew me away completely. I already knew Ziyi could act from CTHD and The Road Home, and I already knew Cheung and Leung could act from In The Mood For Love, and I loved the depth they brought into the film. They made the entire movie, IMO.

Hero: 8/10
House of Flying Daggers (Yimou and Ziyi again): 7.5/10

[Cronos]

i loved every minute of Hero, an engaging story but its such a beautiful film visually, from the wonderful sets to the excellently executed fight scenes. it also has a wonderful soundtrack

10/10

[vision_afar]

Loved it, such a beautiful movie. Saw it back in 2002, and bought a dvd as soon as it came out.