|
Hero Review by Rain
If I could be asked to describe this film in one word, it will be physically impossible. There's just so much in HERO which arrests the viewer's attention: not a strange thing, considering that famed director Zhang Yimou is known for spellbinding cinematography. This martial arts epic (as it was described on AXN), which stars Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and of course, Zhang Ziyi, proves its quality. But does it really live up to expectations, or falls short of the epic grandeur?
HERO revolves around a conversation between Jet Li (Nameless) and the King of Qin (Chen Dao-Ming). I don't really know if this technique is a part of Yimou's style, but we can see that there are color phases in the film. In each phase, the main characters wear red, blue, white, and black garments. The mood in each scheme is also different, and so is the atmosphere. Basically, the conversation is a story-swapping session, during which, Jet Li describes how he kills each of the three assassins who plagued the King.
Again, Yimou arrests our attention with his cinematography: most of the Filipinos who watched the movie talk about its stunning scenes, and memorable ones, too. Yimou perfectly captures the beauty and splendor of the Mainland. However, I think this film presents an accomplishment for Yimou, and, in a way, he induces a bit of Ang Lee into this film: not to say that HERO is Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, because the two films are really quite different. While CTHD is a great film with a technical storyline, HERO's script is simple to follow, yet lacking in, shall we say, coherence in some parts. Do not expect any of his trademark overlapping dialogue here: recall the conversation between the Mayor and Zhao Di's son in The Road Home; also, the argument of the TV Station Manager and the shrewd receptionist in Not One Less. Somehow, I think Yimou treated this film differently: but in my opinion, TRH is still his best film.
Pros: HERO is a visual feast, dazzling the eyes with rich colours, dramatic fight scenes, and stunning performances form all the actors. Jet Li, I think, makes a breakthrough performance in this movie: his portrayal of the warrior Nameless, a man with disturbing inner conflicts, surpasses his past roles. (Of course I've seen very few Jet Li movies, but this is by far his best role.) Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung need no praise: they have already established themselves, although I feel that Maggie is a bit overrated: there were times when her character, Flying Snow, seems hard and dry. Maybe it's her character's personality. Tony Leung always gets a thumbs-up from me: his Broken Sword was indeed a great character. You can clearly see the tortured soul behind his portrayal.
The film's music matches the film's feel: warm, soft, sad and haunting. Although it does really sound like CTHD music, really, no other type of melody could adapt to the film's superb scenes.
The fight scenes are excellent: reminds you of CTHD, in a way, but for the most part, HERO breaks no new ground in wu xia fighting: CTHD already did that. Still, the grace, the ferocity, and the beauty of the fights are preserved.
Also, the story is very easy to follow: nothing too complicated or technical. Even non-fans of wu xia can appreciate HERO. The dialogue surpasses expectations: my favorite line, Broken Sword to Flying Snow: If you died, how could I live?
Cons: In some aspects, especially in the script section, the film is a bit wanting. Not the dialogue: it was superb at the most., but the last parts of the film. I don't know if it the film was "rushed" or something, because the end really seems to leave you empty and longing for a more thorough explanation: something more and coherent besides the generic "text-at-the-end-this-is-what-happened" final scene.
Zhang Ziyi: Ah, you thought I'd forgotten, huh? How can I?
Ziyi is at her dramatic best here: as Broken Sword's devoted (sometimes, almost too devoted) servant Ru Yue, she stuns us again with her very applaudable performance, and I'm not saying this just because I'm a die-hard fan. (Okay, maybe I am, but she sizzles, nonetheless.)
One thing I didn't like was how she was used in the movie: she had little screentime, which is understandable. But if you expect Ziyi to kick major butt in HERO, watch CTHD instead: her character always seems to be the weakest, and she's the one who gets beaten up here. The very thought makes me wanna cry "foul!"
There is also one scene where conservative Z fans might want to skip, or cover their eyes: as far as I know, its an essential scene, but if the CTHD love secenes semed unnecessary and trivial for you, skip this one too, if you're not ready for a "sensual" Ziyi: I, for one, was heartbroken over this scene: it seems that she was used (again) to inflame jealousy between Snow and Sword.
Still, this disappointment pales in comparison to her superb acting: although I, personally, wouldn't want to see her in a similar role, she adds the character of Ru Yue to her already impressive portrayals of the past
Overall, HERO is a great film, and although it falls short on some minor aspects, it's still not a film to miss. A word of advice: watch HERO for HERO, not for Ziyi. I know I watched it for her, which is, maybe, why I came out singing Electronic's "Disappointed". HERO is not a Ziyi-led film: HERO is Zhang Yimou, and those guys at the Jet Li forums were right: it is a Jet Li film.
Which is why I shout, at the top of my lungs: MORE LEAD ROLES FOR ZIYI!!!
Discussions
Are you a fan of Zhang Ziyi and/or her films and would like to contribute a fan review?
If so, then please feel free to post your review in a new discussion topic in Zhang Ziyi Films.
|
