Review of Hero (2012) by Aaron V — 01 Nov 2012

If movies were placed on a scale, one side being image and sound, the other being character development and story, Hero would decidedly be tipped in favor of its technical achievements.

The impressive and original use of color help tell this movieâ(TM)s weak plot, an almost childish collection of super human antics in what seems to be a fairy tale aimed at adolescents. Almost as if Zhang Yimou is aware of his creationâ(TM)s short comings he apparently feels the need film, close to 80% of Hero, in slow motion. While the imagery he has created is nothing short of stunning, the mythology it accompanies comes off as bland, forgetful and hastily written.

The Peopleâ(TM)s Republic of China being the center of many economic forecasts and news items has diluted the mystique surrounding the Orient. And once you take away the intangible selling point that is Chinese cinema mystique, all thatâ(TM)s left is a criminally tedious plot filmed in slow motion.