a ten-pointer. brilliant storytelling.

Rating: Null/10 (17 March 2003)

I didn't have any real expectations or knowledge about this one before watching, so its awesomeness took me by a very pleasant surprise. although I love Crouching Tiger and have watched it nearly to the point of memorization, there's no doubt after seeing "Hero" that the latter is the better film. the visual side in itself was breathtaking, but it was the fact that all those lush colours and vistas had a precise point and meaning in the whole that really blew me away. everything in this film is story-driven. the story itself is solid, graceful and flows amazingly... probably one of the best I've ever seen onscreen. I've loved Asian legends, fairy-tales and old stories for the better part of my life, but I'd never before seen one brought to life with such flair. "Hero" is fable-like, bone-simple, and yet so rich and deep that it can make one's head spin. this film is so much more than hot Asian stars and excellent fight choreography. the bland-sounding title actually has a meaning. what more could one wish for? better distribution and marketing, perhaps?