Hero (Blu-ray + Digital)

First of all let me clarify something, this is NOT a QUENTON TARENTINO movie. "Hero" is a foreign film, that came out originally in 1999 but was brought just now to the US thanks in large part to QT (who loved the film and thought US audiences would too).Hero is set in china during it's "warring states" period. During this time, China was not a united country as we know it today, but consisted of 6 or so smaller kingdoms which were almost always at war with one another. Then the king of Qin (chin) attained military supremecy and began to ruthlessly conquer his neighbors, swallowing up all the kingdoms of china "like a silk worm gobbles up mulbury leaves". The king of Qin then proclaimed himself "Shi Huang Di" China's First emperor... china as we know it is born of this empire.The story is full of twists and is told in a Roshomon style (showing different perspectives of the story until we finally arive at the truth). The entire movie is really a conversation between the King Of Qin and a bounty hunter who has killed 3 assassins from the rival state of Zhou that were trying to kill the king. The Hero, tells the king his stories of how he defeated each, and the story takes a few twists.Our Hero, and his opponents all possess almost super-natural kung fu powers. And the fights are utterly amazing. The fight scenes and martial arts choreography are OUT OF THIS WORLD. In fact they're so over the top that many might find them "silly". But this is supposed to be more of a legend or a myth than a story based in reality and that should allow you to watch on with awe at thier powers rather than chuckling at seeing men walk on water or fly through the air.The acting is superb. Jet Li and all the others do an OUTSTANDING job! This combined with amazing vivid visuals and innovative use of striking color give Hero a very complex and heartfelt emotional depth that other movies are lacking now a days. Everything from the diologue to the story to the acting to the fabulous soundtrack is touching and moving.Amazing visuals, great cinematography, a wonderful score, excellent actors and a deep and engaging story... what more do you want? One word summurizes this film - FANTASTIC... in every possible sense of the word. Those just wanting a kung Fu Swordplay movie with some crazy fight scenes will get more than they could have possibly hoped for. Those wanting a deep and engaging historically based epic will also be pleased. And the passion with which this film was finely crafted ensures that it touches on every emotional aspect of life - love, hate, peace, war, passion, dedication, compassion, regret... you name it. You dont just watch this movie, you feel it - so those seeking a movie with depth and meaning behind it and a real story to tell should look no further than hero. It's a martial arts historical epic that has many levels and layers and you can come away from Hero with as much as you are willing to look for in it. A GREAT movie. a big big 5 stars.

Sword fights and martial arts is not my kind of movie, but saw it on a '10 most beautiful movies of all time' list so felt to see it. Stunningly beautiful, laced with the perfect music score; the slow pace of depth and contemplative silence, with words few and far between, yet so well placed that when the fluid dance of the art of sword flight is mesmerizing in its dynamic surrealism or the swelling music of events occurs, by contrast it makes the whole movie vibrant and deeply grounded in a realm extraordinarily rare in films. Scenery magnificent, costumes and sets shine as jewels in the storyline; culturally fascinating. Early on, would have said it didn't have a heart; there was a coldness throughout, which even the passion of their purpose, or the love and death-tears, couldn't melt. Yet in the end, it came together with such resolution and insight from that quiet contemplation, that mastery of the twin-craft itself as Master teacher. 'Use the thorn to remove the thorn, then both thorns can be thrown away'..., so to speak. Not an easy film for someone who has a hard time with violence; tho it was minimal, it was as poignant as that which the story was made of. A rich experience, and truly one of the most visually beautiful and deeply ambient, culturally engaging movies I've seen. Thanks for having it here.

This film far exceeded my expectations. It is very deep on many levels. The astounding cinematography which uses beautiful displayes of colors for emotional content, hevenly scenery, and exquisite choreographed fighting. The fable like story telling which Poetically layers truth and reality, questions friendship, duty, and honor, and provides a glimps into chinese history. The blend of all of these elements makes the flim enjoyable on many levels.Beware spoilers in this paragraph. Some scenes I particularly enjoied where the battle with Sky in the "chess house" where they were playing "Go" which is a poetic foreshadowing of the battle that takes place in Nameless and Sky's mind. The fight in the leaves where the opponents rarely touch they just use there energy to force the leaves at each other. And the water confrontation.Now I just want to get something off my chest. I feel that the inclusion of Quentin Tarantino Presents tacked on to this film, and broadcast in all of the promotion is just blatant shameless advertising. I don't think it gives the creators there due respect by having Tarantino's name thrown out there like he had anything to do with the film being made. I love his films, but this is absurd. I've had several people come up and say "Hey have you seen the new Tarantino movie?" The same thing happended with The Iron Monkey. I think it is disrespecful to the creators.This is a classic epic film that I will soon add to my collection, and treasure for may reasons. I can't recomend it enough for those who are seeking a film experience which offers significant beauty and depth.