Very good, very Chinese, but still overrated

Rating: 7/10 (2 September 2004)

I'm surprised to see the IMDb crowd rate this film in the top 250; while a good film, nearly lyrical in the use of light and wire-fu, the story a great deal of sound and fury that ultimately signifies very little.
The story is told in a series of flashbacks, as most everyone already knows. I would comment more, but this is film whose content is difficult to discuss without giving away major plot points.
But still...Top 250 #133 for a 96 minute movie that's about 70 minutes of fighting?
Many will comment on the blatantly obvious propaganda value of "Hero"--the unifying message in the film seems particularly unsubtle as Taiwan edges closer and closer towards full independence in name and deed and fact, from Mainland, so-called 'red' China.