My First Chinese Movie in ages ***Spoilers***

Rating: 9/10 (14 January 2003)

Just saw Hero last night and am still overwhealmed. To be honest it takes a lot as a gweilo to not be disappointed by the fighting scenes and the way they jump between tree branches and over a lake and stuff. But hey I loved The Lord of The Rings and aren't Cave Trolls and Orks part of Western Mythology. Apart from feeling a bit odd watching these fighting scenes, THEY ARE JUST WONDERFULLY SHOT, especially the one on the water. Getting the story delivered from a different point of view makes it even more interesting as only the end reveals what really was going on. The costumes are fantastic, the locations they have shot this one in so breathtaking that I would wish I would have given movies like this a chance earlier. I cannot imagine watching this movie dubbed in english. Everyone who has the chance to watch it in mandarin with subtitles, give it a try, only like this , the movie feels authentic. Great actors, great dialogues, but honestly speaking I do not think that westerners who aren't in touch with chinese mentality, history and lifestyle will give too much about it.... A Masterpiece !!!!