Imagine a 90 minute classical music video filmed in beautiful locations.
Imagine a martial arts sword movie with lots of wire work.
Toss the two in a Cuisenart…et voilà! Hero.
Hero is a true visual and musical treat for fans of Chinese/Hong Kong martial arts movies. Containing more emotional content then any action film ought to, presenting a striking visual style and possessed of a musical score with acres of pedigree Hero is a movie that defies you to find a frame of reference.
While the pure artistry of this movie is beyond compare, it is a martial arts movie… if you don’t like the genre, you may find the story won’t hold your attention. If, however, you’re up for a feast of optic gluttony served up with a heaping side of musical goodness, you won’t be disappointed. Tan Dun‘s score featuring Itzhak Perlman and KODO Drummers of Japan makes you just sit back and rub your belly. Mmmm… tasty.
I could go on about how beautiful this movie is… but instead I ask you to just look… the use of color in this film borders on overwhelming and yet is delivered with incomparable precision… they whipped out a big ol’ Technicolor sledge hammer and did finish carpentery… and you won’t find a missed stroke anywhere.
