Hero is not your ordinary Chinese martial art film. It is a visual masterpiece that uses color to communicate the film’s emotion to audiences. Jet Li stars as the nameless hero that attempts to assassinate the King of Qin, but first he must figure out a way to get close enough to his target. The film is a series of flashbacks that reveal key episodes behind Li’s journey to the King’s Palace.
Director Zhang Yimou balances a worthy script with a beautiful design concept and some of the best kung fu ever seen on film. The highly anticipated duel between Li and Donnie Yen does not disappoint the most rabid martial art fans, but the true power of the film comes from the trio of actors, Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, and Maggie Cheung creating and re-creating different levels of tension through a series of vignettes that ultimately reveals the Hero’s difficult decision.
My decision is easy. Its a great film.
WORD COUNT: 159
Chuck’s Grade: A
Adam’s Grade: B+
