Hero

I like Asian movies--especially Samurai movies. However, this movie and others like it (such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) are NOT exactly my cup of tea. Although the MOST famous aspects of these movies are the matrix-like fight scenes, I can't stand them and think that they really detract from the overall pacing and focus of the film. In other words, if you took away the flying through midair and dancing on the surface of the water scenes, the movie would have scored at least an 8 or maybe a 9 with me. I'm sure that puts me in a distinct minority, but I sure would have enjoyed this movie more if it had stayed with a much more realistic portrayal of the Qin dynasty. If this silly and over-the-top style continues in movies, what's next--lasers and space ships in 5th century BC China?!

If you want to see a perfect example of Chinese acting, storytelling and cinematography (Christopher Doyle), as well as one of the best directors in the business, then you can't go wrong with Hero. It won 21 awards (It should have won 23, but the Golden Globes and Academy voters were idiots!) Director Yimou Zhang (House of Flying Dragons, Curse of the Golden Flower) has given us a stunning ballet of China two thousand years ago. The cast includes some of the very best in Chinese movie epics and includes Jet Li (KIss of the Dragon, Romeo Must Die) in his greatest role; Tony Leung Chiu Wai (Infernal Affairs or the real "Departed"); Ziyi Zhang (Memoirs of a Geisha, TMNT); and Maggie Cheung (2046). Like great opera, this film bears watching over and over.