Incredible...just incredible...

Rating: 10/10 (27 August 2004)

I have just seen "Hero"...and words simply cannot comprehend what I have seen....
I can say this...It is the most incredible film I have ever seen. I count Crouching Tiger and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy among my favorite movies of all time. All of them have brought me in tears at one point or another...
"Hero" left me sobbing uncontrollably at the end...and wanting desperately to see it again.
Told with masterful craft, Hero shifts back and forth between story and flashback, and what took place in the past, when a group of assassins consipire to assassinate the man who rules this version of China.
Jet Li and Daoming Chen, as Nameless and the King of Qin, respectively, offer up both thoughtful and action filled performances. But Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu Wi steal the movie out from underneath Li as the crossed lovers Broken Sword and Flying Snow. Their story, told several different ways, will leave many people breathless trying to discern who's version of their relationship is the truth.
Zhang Ziyi, as my better half put it, is one of the most beautiful young women on Earth. And although her role is smaller than one might expect, it is pivotal to the story.
This cast weaves the tale so wonderfully, and brings you into their minds so masterfully, that you are simply drawn into the intricate details of their plotting and planning from each person's point of view.
The special effects are absolutely beautiful to watch, especially the incredible sword fight near the beginning of the movie with Nameless taking on Long Sky, played by legendary martial arts actor Donnie Yen. The incredible use of the rain, and the water, will leave even the most cynical person dazzled. I know, I was with one.
The score, by Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) and performed by legendary violinst Itzhak Perlman, is, like CTHD before it, simply mesmerizing. They are aided by several other musicians and the drumming troupe TODO, who I am a huge fan of anyway, thanks to Elvis Stojko using their beats for several of his skating routines.
All the elements combine to make Hero a true experience.
I cannot say it enough. So let me say it again - "Hero" is NOT a movie; it's an EXPERIENCE.
My score- 10+++ (out of 10)