Nicholas Thurkettle

Originally published 9/13/04

Hero
Director: Zhang Yimou
Writers: Feng Li, Bin Wang, Zhang Yimou
Producer: Bill Kong, Zhang Yimou
Stars: Jet Li, Daoming Chen, Tony Leung Chu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Donnie Yen, Zhang Ziyi

You begin with the premise that all movie action is inherently a lie. Outrunning explosions in slow-motion, having vicious fistfights that never leave a bruise – these are contrivances that are at the service of the art. What really matters is: what kind of art is being served?

Like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon before it, Hero (an international hit for the last two years only now getting stateside release by Miramax) comes to us with a treatment of violence that challenges us as moviegoers. It is more like a ballet than a fight, the participants are not so much opponents as trusting partners working in harmony to express a feeling. In this movie, the clash of swords can express vengeance, serenity, rage, sorrow, disdain, conspiracy, love. And it does so in the service of a story that seems at once epic and fable.
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