A classic (small spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (5 September 2004)

Legitimately great wuxia movie will only improve with subsequent viewings. Jet Li is a nameless functionary of the Emperor's who comes to the capital city to tell the Emperor that he's killed the three most dangerous assassins in the realm -- the truth, though, is something quite different. Beautiful cinematography, with a wise use of location shots. Excellent, almost etheral fight cinematography. A fractured storyline that relies on visual echoes and cinematic cues to draw the pieces together (the actual protagonist of the story isn't Li or the Emperor at all, really, but rather Tony Leung's Broken Sword). A symbolic story that resonates on many different levels: the story seems to be a poetic meditation on power, at least at first viewing. Wonderfully acted by all concerned: Leung is typically great and this might be my favorite Maggie Cheung performance.
A genuine work of art, controversial to some because of the implication that this is pro-despotism. I think the truth is somewhat more complex than that, though -- one could write an essay teasing out the meanings of HERO, but let's just say it's not a simple storyline or simple propaganda. Highly recommended, one of the short list of necessary wuxia movies.