 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Hero (Ying xiong) - 8/27/04 - PG-13 - 96m
Jet Li - Nameless (Hero)
Tony Leung Chiu Wai - Broken Sword
Maggie Cheung - Flying Snow
Director: Yimou Zhang
Written by: Feng Li, Bin Wang, Yimou Zhang
Studio: Universal Pictures
LYN
Nutshell: Okay here goes… Setting: pre-unified China - circa 221 B.C.(or there abouts) – The King of Qin (King Zheng in real historical life) (Daoming Chen) is of course trying to conquer the remaining providences and unify China. There are three assassins set to assassinate him (cause that’s what they do…duh) and the King hires one man (who is nameless) (Jet Li), to eliminate them first. Following along? Yeah it’s a pretty easy concept to grasp hold of, but that’s where the simplicity ends.
The film is loosely based on real life historical events, or so to speak. So it’s more than just your average martial arts bon a fare. It’s a story, a story steeped in Asian philosophies. It’s hard to explain, but it’s a film with a meaning. As not to scare anyone away, but you might actually learn a thing or two from seeing it.
The artistry… magnificent, the cinematography… beautiful, and the sound… hypnotic. It is truly a pleasure to watch this film and just let it wash over you. The only thing I found out of place was some of the characters voices. The movie is of course subtitled, but a few of the actors’ real voices really didn’t match the majesty of the film. I’m not saying everyone involved had to have a ‘James Earl Jones’ type voice, but it’s difficult to hear ‘Cyndi Lauper’ in Chinese if you know what I mean.
But all in all, is was nothing if not a breathtaking film, and I can only hope that I had seen the entire uncut version of the film originally released in Asia back in 2002. Then again…that’s why they sell DVDs.
Lyn
