Movie Review: Hero

Ahh, to return to the world of vices. You should know by now my love for Asian movies-especially the ones with lots of fighting. Yes, I'm admitting bias. Of course, this vice really only nails me out of money--and even then, if I didn't see it, I wouldn't have a myocardic infarction.

Don't you just love that word? In-FARC-tion? It's so,I don't know, given to middle school giggles.

I say that, because, well, there were several giggles during this magnum opus, Hero, Jet Li's new flick. I even saw it on it's opening night, which says volumes. If I'm willing to forego my Friday night nap, well, there's something to be had, I tell you. I knew I wanted to see this movie when I read about it two years ago.

Yes, Miramax was sitting on this movie for two years. I'm sure they had no idea what to do with it--the audience was proof of that. It was filled with young men, filled with testosterone, from the nearby bases. They had no idea. Not one of them had read a word about it.

All they saw were the words, 'Jet Li' and thought this was the place to come.

This movie was not what they expected--hence the middle school giggles. And why Miramax wondered how to market it.

The story concerns a young man (Li) who comes to show the Emperor his loyality by bringing the swords of the 3 assissins who were bent on keeping him from power. Such was the threat that no one has ever come in 100 steps of the emperor--but this young man is invited to do so as he elaborates the tale.

The setup is much like many martial arts movies, with flashback after flashback. Only this time, the same story is elaborated, with different emphasis each time. It's wonderfully complex and visually adept. It's a true movie, a world that only exists on the screen.

And the fighting? Excellent, but that's where the giggles surmounted. You see, many people aren't used to the Hong Kong martial arts forms put onto the movies outside of Jackie Chan and Li. Here, the fights take on a form of higher art-giving the feeling of a ballet or dance ensemble. It asks for the audience to be sophistacted when they normally wouldn't be. There's one escapade, shot beautifully, in a forest during fall. One woman doesn't wish to kill the mistress of her ex, so she uses the falling leaves as cover.

It's an elaborate dance that is breathtakign on the big screen.

It's a giggle fest of screaming women and wind for small minds.

Hence, the giggles from the hundreds of young males.

And people worry about the future.

I, for one, liked the movie. I hate having to compare it to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,( or Rashomon, if you've heard of it) but it's the only film out there audiences might have experienced with the same ascetics. It's slightly less then that movie, going more for the intricaties of politics--always a mood killer. It's why you never see a baby boom in an election year.

So yes, I liked it, but I don't think anyone else will. Which is too bad, because it's a really good entry into Asian cinema as it stands right now.