Stunning with expert craftsmenship

Rating: 10/10 (4 April 2003)

Zhang Yimou is one of the best filmmakers alive. All I needed to see was Red Shorgum to know this, but Hero confirmed it. With this cast (5 of China's (and the world's) best), crew , and budget, this film was basically destined to be great. Even with that, I was worried Zhang might take the Kung Fu movie and slow it down (like his later work) beyond recognition. Thank the gods this did not happen. It was quickly paced with innovative and beautiful fights that were shot as well as anything Zhang yimou has done (which is saying a lot). The first fight of the film was particularly incredible in it's editing, sound, choreography, and cinematography. And the narrative structure and characters were interesting enough not to get in the way of the shear beauty of this film.
A couple of extra notes before I go... This movie has nothing in common with Crouching Tiger besides genre, so stop comparing them because you've seen no other Kung Fu movies, it's ridiculous. Also, if Miramax releases a shortened version in theaters (which is likely) call Miramax and tell them you hate them, because that's just stupid. And finally, to the Americans reading, I implore you to go and find out why Zhang Yimou is as good as Scorcese and anyone else in the US and, indeed, is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of cinematography. His films are consistently more beautiful than anything else I've seen. I HIGHLY recommend Red Shorgum and Ju Dou. They rock. As does Hero...with authority.