Much like Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero marks the first venture by director Yimou Zhang (who acclaimed such low key dramas as Raise the Red Lantern and Red Sorghum) into the Wuxia martial arts genre.
Originally released in 2002 (the movie was released in Western countries in 2004 after writer/director Quentin Tarantino fought for its release), Hero is a fictional story set 2000 years ago when China was split into seven warring states. In the Kingdom of Qin, the ruthless King (Daoming Chen) holds an uncompromising vision to unite the land under his rule and end the war. Because of this, he has become a marked man who has survived numerous assassinations. After a village deputy known only as "Nameless" (Jet Li) claims to have eliminated three of the King's most dangerous assassins; Sky (Donnie Yen); Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu Wai); and Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung); he is summoned by the King to recount his conquests.
For his first martial arts movie, Yimou Zhang showcases great discipline and vision, successfully directing a personal story amongst an epic backdrop. Like many other Wuxia films, Hero is - at its core - a tragic love story which contains elements of Chinese philosophy in its depictions of honour and tradition. Its main characters are fearless warriors who must deal with the heavy burdens of love, betrayal, and ultimately revenge against a King who is desperately trying to unite a land split by war and hatred.
Choreographed by well known action director Tony Ching, the fight scenes continues along the lines of the fantasy inspired wire fighting tranquillity and tenderness as seen in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Yet this time out it is enhanced by mastery of Jet Li, with his showdown against Once Upon a Time in China 2 cast mate Donnie Yen a clear highlight.
Heavy on style, cinematographer Christopher Doyle provides strong, vibrant images while capturing the magnificent scenery in remote China. As with many of Yimou Zhang's films colour plays a dominate role, with special attention given to red, green, blue, yellow and white, with each colour representing a new perspective in the various accounts of Nameless' battles with the three assassins. Special effects and sound effects are excellent, as is the grand production design by Tingxiao Huo and Zhenzhou Yi.
The film has a claustrophobic air about it, the ultra-serious tone not allowing a moment of rest and breathe in much needed elements of humour and adventure, unlike the much more flexible Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The characters constantly brood, their sad mugs bringing the viewer down to their sorrowful states. Granted, this is a movie filled with heavy emotions and deadly consequences, yet such a rigid and depressing atmosphere does not help the films cause. Usually the best way to bring forth the anguish and suffering that can plague the human spirit is by comparing it to the beauty and joyfulness which we all possess. Unfortunately, this is an aspect lost on Hero but which could have made it a much powerful movie. As it stands, this is a very good film just short on greatness.