Hero (2002)

Like many of the “true Chinese epics” to hit theaters in the last decade, Hero is long-winded and stretches the viewer's ability to believe that the Chinese actually believe these things happened as they transpire in the film.

Lush with special effects and unparalleled choreography, Hero offers lots of eye candy. Vivid colors and beautiful landscapes help bring to life the ancient mythic characters from Chinese history. Jet Li plays an unnamed assassin determined to kill the ruler of Qin. During the course of the hour and forty minute saga (although it feels about twice that), flashbacks reveal a very convoluted path that Li’s unnamed assailant has taken in order to get where he is.

While there are several positive attributes and themes (like honor and dignity), Hero also contains an awful lot of grey areas. The issue of doing what is right versus what is best for all leans a bit too far towards propaganda for the current communist Chinese regime. Also the fact remains that the main character we are supposedly rooting for is a killer, guilty of murder. Challenging to watch and equally challenging to glean meaning from, Hero is a visual spectacle and worth watching, if you don’t mind subtitles.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5