Often accused of being a derivative of Crouching Tiger, and is seen to be too indulgent in stylistic hues, Hero is far from the achievement that it beckons.

Rating: 8/10 (27 January 2011)

China's most celebrated filmmaker's first foray into the stylized martial arts genre is a bit of a mixed success. Following the path of Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou has directed a film that might just give Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon a run for its money. Unfortunately, cashing in on the trend of Chinese martial arts cinema means that focus in its production is, in the case of Hero, slightly compromised. Often accused of being a derivative of Crouching Tiger, and is seen to be too indulgent in stylistic hues, Hero is far from the achievement that it beckons.
The plot outline may be deceptively complex, but the underlying themes are recognizable - loyalty, love, and trust. Viewing Hero reminds of Kurosawa's superior Rashomon, narrating the film in separate and different sequences, all told in flashback technique. Zhang Yimou's mastery of this Rashomonesque style is sometimes flawed, with several loopholes. Artistically, Hero is very impressive, and some of the one-to-one fight sequences are greatly realized. But it falls short of being the focused, substantial picture that Crouching Tiger is.
GRADE: B- (www.filmnomenon.blogspot.com) All rights reserved.