Jet Li's finest film, Zhang Yi Mo's best direction.

Rating: 10/10 (12 June 2003)

Someone noted that this film is too Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (CTHD)like. Although there are some similarities, I find the comparison shallow and lacking consideration for the story. The beauty of this film is the story line and the setting. The film is set at the end of the warring states period in China (221 BC), and the essence of a Hero is portrayed throughout the film. The key figure of the film, the First Emperor of China is the very same Emperor who completed the Great Wall of China. You may have heard of the Terra Cotta soldiers discovered in China. This film is about 3 assassins who plot to take out the man who eventually was buried with this terra cotta (full size life like replicas in clay) army of men and horses to "protect" him in the afterlife.
This is the first martial arts movie of Zhang Yi Mo, however he has successfully directed many movies in China which have received many awards within China and abroad, including Red Sorghum, Raise the Red Lantern, and Zhu Dou. He combines his skill for story telling and cinematography, with the martial arts prowess of Jet Li, for an incredible movie experience.
If you liked CTHD, then you will likely enjoy Hero. If you didn't particularly like CTHD, I think you may find that you love Hero.