Review of Hero (2012) by Rainer K — 19 Aug 2012

Hero is probably the shortest epic you'll ever see.

I am a big fan of Jet Li but I don't like Martial Arts films by any means. That's quite a dilemma because he doesn't participate in many other things. So Hero is one of the rare occasions when I can truly enjoy him (Wuxia isn't my favourite genre either but we all have to compromize now and then...).

It's a papercut Wuxia epic by an accomplished director and starring the who is who of Hong Kong's/China's acting scene.

You find all the elements that define the genre in its most exorbitant and prolific fashion - great costumes and even greater sets, awesome sometimes supernatural, fighting scenes and narration through a series of flashbacks.

Comparable to many Western period action films it doesn't really stand out and is mostly conceived to make as much dough as possible with the help of starpower and magnificent visuals.

A solid film through and through, but it's either the different narrative of Chinese cinema (with which I don't have much experience) or it has the same problem as Western blockbusters that it lacks some true emotions and heart, I wasn't overwhelmed though.