tlavideo.com

Review

An instant classic, director Yimou's Hero is a gorgeous, thoughtful, exhilarating triumph of creative storytelling and stunning visuals. Li portrays Nameless, a skilled killer who has slain the three greatest assassins in all the provinces of China. A grateful king has given Nameless access to within ten paces of the throne, to both receive his reward and tell his tale. The Rashomon-like, flashback-laden structure of differing interpretations of the events (each section made distinct by saturated hues of red, green, blue, etc.) avoids the trap of becoming too disjointed by furthering our understanding of the characters with each successive scene, as opposed to merely being utterly separate "truths." The photography is stunning, the fight choreography thrilling, and the at-times operatic grandeur of the drama is emotionally stirring. There are dozens of memorable images throughout, and the casting is perfect. Some viewers may feel the film is marred by its politically controversial denouement, but it's actually a fascinating rumination on the complicated nature of being a hero, and, at the very least, should provoke heated discussions of the characters' choices. How many martial arts films can claim that? (Mandarin with English subtitles)

 -- Dean C. Galanis