More Maggie, less movie

Rating: 6/10 (4 September 2004)

Maggie Cheung looking in to see her lover in bed with another is captured perfectly in the light from the screen. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful scenes in the entire movie. It is also about where I began to get weary.
There is really nothing new in Hero. The courtyard with thousands of warriors was done better with the real life participation of the Red Army in the Last Emperor (a fitting contrast to this the story of the first Emperor) the sword play that was imaginative and innovative in Crouching Tiger is a bit yesterday, and repetitive here. The story is good enough though huge holes appear in the end and one wonders why the story must end exactly as it does. Death is always senseless, but in this case the death of one character is uncalled for, it advances nothing, the character essentially dies for nothing. Other deaths make sense but this one is just dumb. If you see the picture you will know which one I mean. OK, I think you get the picture.
If there is a real star to this movie, it is as usual Ms. Cheung. She is an incredible presence in her every scene. The writing does not always work for her, however, we have no clue why she is so adamant about not providing red ink, maybe I just need to learn Mandarin but It would have been nice to get a clue as to what was going on. If it was just to fit the story in which the scene was set, it still needed explanation.
Too bad, it was a pretty picture.