I'm Back!!!
After a much needed break from writing reviews, and the encouraging words of some of our forum members, I'm back. I just got really burned out and needed a break. I'm going to try and review movies not as a critic, but as a fan. Hopefully the quality will improve as well. Thanks to those of you who read the reviews. It's good to know that the work is appreciated. And now, without any much further ado... the review.
__________________________________________________________
Taking place in Ancient China, when it was still divided into 6 Kingdoms, Hero tells the story of a young Prector from Qin called Nameless (Li). He has come before the King of Qin bearing the weapons of three assassins who plotted to murder the King and overthrow the province. Nameless tells his tales of how he killed the three assassins, raising the suspicions of the King. The tale then unfolds into different versions of Nameless story, causing the King and the Prector to play mental chess with one another.
Directed by the same man as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero is a beautiful story. The fight scenes are majestic and magical, thanks to wire-fu, and don’t succumb to cheap wire-fu tricks. The effect maintains its dignity throughout the film, keeping it from getting dull. The trailers give a small glimpse at the cinematography involved in this film. The use of colors and vast landscapes enhance the story and fights, causing the film to take on a fairy tale nature all itself.
Jet Li’s performance as Nameless is sufficient. He delivers all of his lines with a straight-faced hardness that is appropriate for the character, but doesn’t provide a great deal of insight into his inner workings. The King does a commendable job, portraying a man who is always thinking. However, the performances of the assassins Broken Sword and Flying Snow carry the film. Their characters develop an intensely believable romantic sub-plot in the film that adds much needed depth, to what would be a shallow, yet convoluted, story.
This is not a Quentin Tarinteno film. This is a Chinese film brought here from overseas. It is subtitled and still carries some of the cultural differences. The viewer is required to keep aware in order to truly enjoy the film. However, if you are willing to do that you will be rewarded with an amazing movie that should easily when Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
4 out of Four Stars.
Overall Summary- Is this “Crouching Tiger 2”? Probably, but believe me it’s a phenomenal movie if you are willing to let it engross you.
After a much needed break from writing reviews, and the encouraging words of some of our forum members, I'm back. I just got really burned out and needed a break. I'm going to try and review movies not as a critic, but as a fan. Hopefully the quality will improve as well. Thanks to those of you who read the reviews. It's good to know that the work is appreciated. And now, without any much further ado... the review.
__________________________________________________________
Taking place in Ancient China, when it was still divided into 6 Kingdoms, Hero tells the story of a young Prector from Qin called Nameless (Li). He has come before the King of Qin bearing the weapons of three assassins who plotted to murder the King and overthrow the province. Nameless tells his tales of how he killed the three assassins, raising the suspicions of the King. The tale then unfolds into different versions of Nameless story, causing the King and the Prector to play mental chess with one another.
Directed by the same man as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero is a beautiful story. The fight scenes are majestic and magical, thanks to wire-fu, and don’t succumb to cheap wire-fu tricks. The effect maintains its dignity throughout the film, keeping it from getting dull. The trailers give a small glimpse at the cinematography involved in this film. The use of colors and vast landscapes enhance the story and fights, causing the film to take on a fairy tale nature all itself.
Jet Li’s performance as Nameless is sufficient. He delivers all of his lines with a straight-faced hardness that is appropriate for the character, but doesn’t provide a great deal of insight into his inner workings. The King does a commendable job, portraying a man who is always thinking. However, the performances of the assassins Broken Sword and Flying Snow carry the film. Their characters develop an intensely believable romantic sub-plot in the film that adds much needed depth, to what would be a shallow, yet convoluted, story.
This is not a Quentin Tarinteno film. This is a Chinese film brought here from overseas. It is subtitled and still carries some of the cultural differences. The viewer is required to keep aware in order to truly enjoy the film. However, if you are willing to do that you will be rewarded with an amazing movie that should easily when Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
4 out of Four Stars.
Overall Summary- Is this “Crouching Tiger 2”? Probably, but believe me it’s a phenomenal movie if you are willing to let it engross you.