Visually stimulating, emotionally lacking (for an American viewer).

Rating: Null/10 (20 September 2004)

I must start off by saying this movie was visually brilliant with not one scene being without unrivaled imagery and beauty. I've yet to find a better example of why I think it's unfair for me to attempt to delve justly into Chinese (or Pre-Chinese in this case) culture. As an American, the inherent honor and betrayal history that enraptures most films that hail from China is un-relating to my emotions. Hero is a great film if you have the "thing" for Asian culture, particularly the history therein. People do fly in this movie and women do kick butt as well, but some scenes (I wont say) were a bit of a stretch for me to properly correlate as far as the point that was made(or not). Just remember that poor translations (subtitles) may be why I was so confused, or maybe it's the extreme difference in culture.
This movie gets a 3.5 Seppukus out of 5.
To gather what you are about to see as far as milieu and the unfolding of the tale, think "Rashomon".