Hero

[Albert]

I think this could have been a truly great film. It is visually as beautiful a film as I've ever seen, helped by that surreal Chinese landscape it was filmed in.

Devotees of this genre will no doubt strongly disagree with me, but I think the film would have made it to the "great" category if the fights hadn't been so utterly absurd and unbelievable, like a videogame.

Despite my raised eyebrow over the fight scenes, I do think Jet Li is one of current cinema's most effective stars and the long confrontation between him and the Emperor was wonderfully done (by both actors and the director).

[Serenity]

Rumors on Hero :

I heard that this movie came out long ago
before it was shown on the theaters,
Is that true?.
I think this movie is best watched on VHS or DVD,
it's easier to follow along, & pause to read the subtitles
as oppose to having to try to catch up in reading about
what they are saying, & miss some of the words through out
the movie while it is playing. Over all, I thought it was ok, &
somewhat confusing a little bit. I think Jackie Chan's movies
are so much better to watch in regards to any kind of
kungfu action movies. :)

[pzarquon]

"Hero" came out in China two years ago: "Ying Xiong (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299977/)" (2002). I've read many comparisons to "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon," and further, a few folks have noted that the effects and visual design would have seemed more cutting-edge or at least current had the film actually been released in the U.S. in a timely manner. So when some reviewers call some of the effects "dated," they don't know just how right they are.

[Albert]

" think this movie is best watched on VHS or DVD"

Can't agree with that. A big screen is definitely called for with this one (as it was with "Troy").

[helen]

The fight scenes between Nameless (Jet Li's character) and Sky seemed beliveable at first, even sort of humorful when they stopped because someone was not playing music.

It got strange in the middle, even archers of the Qin army had a really long range on their arrows.

But it was an enjoyable movie.

[Hellbent]

I disagree. Unless of course you have a LCD projector at your house. I think part of the problem lies in that people misinterpret that Quentin Tarantino made Hero and that the commercials showed the action sequences, making it out to be a chop-socky flick, when its more about the story, like Crouching Tiger.
As for the super powered fight scenes, its stylized. Its like making fun something like ballet, opera or porn. non of them are like real life =p

Yes, the movie is 2 years old. As is Shaolin Soccer currently playing at Varsity, and the upcoming Warriors of Heaven and Earth (but only 1 year old). All of which I have for rent at my store, but I dont think the admins want me to advertise here =p)
Also note that Hollywood is remaking alot of Japanese movies. Ring was a recent remake, but they are also remaking Shall We Dance (with Richard Gere and JLo, I think) Juon - the Grudge (Sarah Michelle Geller).

[Albert]

"Devotees of this genre will no doubt strongly disagree with me"

As in the review in today's Weekly, where the writer found the walking-on-water fight quite acceptable.

My young Waianae friend and I both thought it was ludicrous. A lake about three inches deep?

[Neo]

walking on water is cool. no imagination whatsoever. :mad:

[kamlost]

The cinematography was breathtaking. The "Chinese"-ness of the film is felt all throughout especially in the use of colors and symbolism. It's much much more chinese compared to crouching tiger.

[Leimamo]

My husband brought the DVD home last year after one of his sea tours. At the time I hadn't heard of the movie so I crinkled my nose at it and put it on the side. Then one day, we ran out of things to watch so we put in Hero. I was surprised that it was as good as it was and hadn't heard of it before. I then had to admit he made a good choice. :rolleyes:

[aloha_girlz]

It is Lolohi.

[kamlost]

what does lolohi mean?

[Albert]

Neo said:

"walking on water is cool"

Indeed. Although I've only heard stories about one person with the ability to "walk on water".

I'm not saying I believed that one, either, but it is somewhat more credible than the scene in "Hero".

[pzarquon]

what does lolohi mean? Ulukau (http://wehewehe.org/cgi-bin/hdict?l=en) to the rescue! "Lolohi" is derived from lohi, which means, "Slow, tardy, late, retarted, backward, deliberate, gradual."

I've definitely heard that "Hero" has some pretty lethargic pacing. But I think that's why I'll like it. The film is from China, after all, where filmmaking aesthetics are different from the "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" frenetic action and brisk editing of your average Hollywood blockbuster.
My husband brought the DVD home last year after one of his sea tours.That reminds me... I should see how much this film costs at some of my favorite import sites. Or have the Hollywood lawyers stemmed the flow while "Hero" is still in U.S. theaters?

[AuntieNellieKulolo]

they are also remaking Shall We Dance (with Richard Gere and JLo, I think)

Am I the only one who thinks this is a trainwreck waiting to happen? A big part of the original was its realness, its lack of Hollywood flash. I think a remake with big Hollywood stars will flop as big as the sequel to <i>Dirty Dancing</i>.

[Leimamo]

That reminds me... I should see how much this film costs at some of my favorite import sites. Or have the Hollywood lawyers stemmed the flow while "Hero" is still in U.S. theaters?
Hubby bought it from one of the many many many many street vendors who sell them at some of the ports they visit.

[easTTriver]

Neo said:

"walking on water is cool"

Indeed. Although I've only heard stories about one person with the ability to "walk on water".

I'm not saying I believed that one, either, but it is somewhat more credible than the scene in "Hero".

the walking on water and the flying sends the idea that these martial arts are ancient mystic arts. becoming a master of kung fu transcends physical skill but unites the body, mind, & spirit--or that is what the movies want to convey. certainly in the Hero, not everyone could walk on water, only the best fighters under heaven could. i see them flying but think it as just a metaphor for superior skill.

[Albert]

"i see them flying but think it as just a metaphor for superior skill."

I saw it as very ineffective "special effects" which the film really didn't need.

[Pelix]

I saw this 2 years ago when it first came out and was on a tour in Asia. I haven't seen the version that was released here in the US though, I hear they made some changes for the Western audience. Why, I don't know. Needless to say, I liked it.

[Miulang]

Missed this when it was playing in the theaters, but I spotted it on sale at Costco for $18.99 the other day and bought it. Visually, this is truly a stunning movie, just like Crouching Tiger was. And since it was a myth related to the creation of the Q'ing Dynasty, I thought it told a very nice story. It would have been better seen on one of those new HDTV-ready TVs because of the black boxing, but it certainly looked fine on a 26" screen. Of course, some of the fight scenes were a bit fanciful and I sort of got lost in the middle because of the different "endings", but everything tied together in the end when Nameless sat 10 feet away from the Emperor. The "extras" that were provided on the DVD helped show how they did the fight scenes. The only extraneous part was the interview of Jet Li by Tarantino. I didn't think it enhanced the viewer's appreciation for the movie at all.

Miulang