It's Better Than Iron Monkey

Rating: Null/10 (29 August 2004)

First: Do not let Quentin Tarantino's association with this project fool you. Tarantino fought with Miramax to get it released in the US; but Hero is not a Tarantino film. It is pure Yimou Zhang - replete with his trademark soft, subdued cool. This movie is a lot like spending 2 hours talking with Mr. Miagi. It's very collected and deliberate and full of smirking Eastern insight. The editing and cinematography are amazing. This movie has some breathtaking visuals. All in all, I was thoroughly entertained. But I wouldn't call this movie a triumph. Sometimes it comes off as over-stylized and never seems to know when to stop heaping on the melodrama. Entertained I may have been, but I also left the theater feeling a little wasted and empty. If you go into this film expecting Kill Bill or Reservoir Dogs, you will be surprised and disappointed. But if you loved Crouching Tiger and are a fan of classic kung-fu tragedies, expect to be impressed, if not quite blown away. Hero lands a solid 4 out of 5 from me.