Hero, 2002

Rating: 9/10 (20 August 2010)

Hero is simply a beautiful film. Unlike many other films, the reviewer is woven a story through different versions, first by Nameless, then by the King, and finally the Truth. As each tapestry falls, the true picture is developed. What we are left with is an epic tale of trust, wisdom and beauty that this film embodies to create a memorable experience.
Summary: The film starts of with an unknown warrior, Nameless, surrounded by one-hundred thousand Qin soldiers allowing him passage to the Emperor Qin. His feat of defeating the three most dangerous assassins, Flying Snow, Broken Sword and Sky, earn him a place to drink tea with the Emperor at 100 paces.
We then experience through retelling how Nameless defeats the three assassins. Nameless tells of how he and Sky battle ferociously. In front of a crowd of Qin soldiers, Nameless slips the sword between Sky's chest, instantly wounding him. He then travels to Broken Sword and Flying Snow. Nameless shows both the warriors a token of Sky's death and falsely tells Flying Snow, who's suitors are both Sky and Broken Sword that Sky's last words were that he only cared for Flying Snow and that she would avenge him.
Flying Snow prepares to fight, and enraged by jealousy and rage Broken Sword declares he has no feelings for her. Deeply hurt, Flying Snow delivers a fatal blow to Broken Sword, his lasts words been 'we have both been stupid.' She then faces Moon, who is angered at her master's death. Moon tries to kill Flying Snow who easily defends against her attacks before striking a deadly blow. When she faces Nameless the next day she is deeply shaken and is killed easily.
The Qin Emperor, who is deeply impressed allows him to come in within 20 paces, and then shares his retelling. Though more credible, Nameless still insists this is wrong. The Qin Emperor allows him to move forward, to 10 paces where it is revealed that Nameless is the assassin. Fueled by the grief of his murdered family Nameless declares that his special attack, is called the 10-pace-kill. The final moments are sure to moisten eyes.
Use of colours (opinionated): Interestingly enough the film uses vibrant colours to spectacularly weave the tale. In the first retelling, Flying Snow and Broken Sword are portrayed as lovers filled with hate and jealousy and thus the colour red is used. In the Emperor's retelling which is more logical and learned, the colour is blue which brings to mind control and calmness. White is used in the final version to emphasize purity and the truth.
I enjoyed this film very much. The score was beautiful and the cinematography was superb. Fighting sequences focused on the background and not of the actual fights. This heightened the sense of drama and skill in the fight and added serenity and emotions to the scene. If you haven't watched it, then I recommend you do. This film is a little over half an hour and I suggest watching it on a 32" to 50" screen with at least a 2.1 Stereo to create a cinematic watch.
****1/2 out of *****