Henhao - very good

Rating: 10/10 (6 April 2003)

As a movie goer that generally knows very little about China and Chinese tradition, I watched this movie with awe and amazement. Its message is simple and talks about honor and duty, as it was in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. The caracters in Hero (In Mandarin: Ying Xiong) are not as complex as in 'Crouching Tiger...', but Hero's story goes further than its predecessor in that it takes a political stand. It's a story about a viscous king maturing to a wise emperor, worthy of managing 'all beneath the sky'. It's a story of valiant legendary warriors willing to sacrifice their own lives to ensure a higher purpose beyond any king or emperor. It's a story about the little man educating the big man through deeds worthy of remembrance. I can imagine this plot is a center piece of Chinese people's self understanding, something they carry with pride. For me as a bloody Westerner, I get a kick out of it, too.
This film is beautiful. No lesser word can describe it. The camerawork is extraordinary, the use of colors fabulous. The use of slow motion is sublime, the kung-fu is in a class no one in the West can muster. I didn't notice any CGI during the movie, or though I can imagine rain droplets, yellow leaves or multitudes of arrows could have been CGI. As in 'Crouching Tiger...' caracters are capable of flying to right and left, something that I suppose is as natural in Chinese legends as the magic in the Lord of the Rings.
Don't ask me about the acting, I'm a Westerner that has hardly seen any Chinese films...yet. However, Jet Li's stone face is perfect for the warrior Nameless, sitting merely 10 paces before the king, patiently waiting to unleash the blow of deliverance. (Watch the film to see what I mean.)

All in all, the film is mysterious to me, it's a China filled with wonder and fascination. It's 2500 years of applied philosophy that provides a little hope for this mess of a world we live in.
All beneath the sky...that is SO cool!