Ying xiong (2002)

reviewed by
Cory Hansen


Hero (2004)

Film Review by Cory Hansen-- August 29, 2004.

Copyright 2004

Let it be known that I am not one of the most upstanding fans of this

particular genre. So much so, I walked into my 9:30 PM screening of Hero

thinking it was going to be a Quentin Tarantino slash fest a la Kill

Bill, where a one badass Jet Li goes and battles against massive armies

and their un-relentless barrage of arrows--

Hero was a definite surprise, and that was unfortunate for itself

through about half of the movie. Like me, everyone in the theater walked

in ready to be bored to death by a film SUPPOSEDLY given to us by

Quentin Tarantino. Soon in, I heard a particular couple questioning to

themselves "IS THIS WHOLE MOVIE GOING TO BE IN SUBTITLES?!"

Once you had realized that the movie is FAR from what it was marketed as

here in the US, you'll find yourself opening your mind to its more

emotional elements.

I wasn't a fan of the Wire-Fu used here in some of the sporadic action

sequences, as I never have been. Seeing people glide over water and

darting about the air like fireflies really doesn't do it for me. But in

a movie like Hero, such a minuscule element can't be used as a basis to

surround a negative opinion around.

Overall, I found that Hero is anything BUT what the trailers depict it

is--usual American bullcrap--and in the end it might generate a negative

aura surrounding it simply because it's just A TAD too deep for your

Shmoe'merican Joe. I myself enjoyed its message and the beautiful visual

styles it depicted. Go check it out.
Final Score: 8/10
-- 
Cory "Shinnokxz" Hansen
http://coryhansen.com
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X-RT-RatingText: 8/10

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