Hero

[Sytze]

So, has anyone seen the movie "Hero" with Jet Li already?

I hear all kinds of stories that it is a good movie and that it has even better fights than Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. However, I found some information, saying that the movie is also coming out in theatres and that there are three different DVD versions of Hero around.

The last point is less of a concern for me though. I simply want to know if anyone has already seen it (on DVD perhaps) and if it is worth buying, or that I should simply rent it ones.
Thoughts people??

[Dottie]

I've seen it, and didnt like it. I think liking the movie depends very much on what you expect. I'm a big fan of Zhang Yimous other movies, particularly Hong gao liang (dont know english title) and Huozhe, and I expected something of the same quality. Unfortunatly this was just another standard martial arts movie. Zhang Yimous movies always show beautiful photo, and Hero is no exception, but it lacks every other quality shown in his previous works.

To me it also seem like a feeble attempt to copy Kurosawas Rashômon and capitalize on the all popular Hong Kong action genre at the same time.

If you only have the intention of watching a half decent action movie, then it would be a good choice imo, but dont expect anything more than that.

[Sytze]

I've seen a few trailers, and it looks pretty awesome. I haven't seen much martial arts movies -mostly because I don't know where to find them, plus they never show them on our television.- so I don't have much to compare Hero with.

While I'm on the subject, what do you think are great martial art movies with the emphasis on fighting??

[Dottie]

I have not found a great martial arts movie yet, and I've seen a few. The problem is imo, that they can only entertain you if you like the genre in itself. I happen to like it, so I have fun, but I must reconginze the fact that it is not great movies.

Nevertheless, I have favourites. I like both Hero and Crouthing tiger, Hidden dragon because they are ambitious productions. Good photo and the acting isnt as horrible as in other similar movies. They also touches upon some kind of more universal issue.

My top choice however would be Swordsman 2. It is in all aspects a B moive, you have to expect crappy special effects, bad jokes etc, but it features one of the best made villains I have seen, and it really makes it worth it. Atleast to me. The story is also quite good. However the fighting in swordsman 2 is high magic. Dont watch it if you dont like flying, walking on water and blowing things up.

If you want low magic fighting you could try Tai ji zhang san feng (english title: The Tai Chi master or Twin warriors. Twin warriors is dubbed, so avoid if possible) or Fong Sai-Yuk. They are both quite good.

If you look for martial arts movies in general I think you should mind two things. First, the later movies will be much more "westernized". Its up to you if you like it or not, personally I dont, so I look for early works. On the other hand, early works means less money, wich will make a difference as well. Second, look for subbed movies. Dubbing takes a lot of feeling out of it, and those who dubb the movie often seem less true to original dialogue than those who subb. Thier english will be better, but you will loose content.

---

Regarding Hero. I've made a search at imdb, and it lists different length for different countrys, so its likely there are different versions of it.

[Opalescence]

If you like kung-fu style movies, then I highly suggest the "oldie" Jackie Chan movies. He's highly entertaining and he's got his own very amusing fighting style. Whatever you do, NEVER get the dubbed version if at all possible, get the subtitles if you can (if you speak Chinese, just get the original). Besides those, I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said ...

[Bloodthroe]

I myself didn't like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, so I might not like this movie either. But, I think Hero might be a little different so I might go and see it or just rent it. It's not because I don't like kung-fu movies. I still like watching Bruce Lee movies.

[Bloodthroe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottie My top choice however would be Swordsman 2.

Oh man. I was looking at this movie the other day while in Blockbuster. I was thinking about getting it one day when I didn't have anything else to rent. Or atleast get Swordsman 1 first so I can get the whole storyline. The graphics didn't turn me away. Some of the most intresting movies are in those graphics.

[Sytze]

Thank you for your advice. I did a search for Hero, too, and discovered there are indeed three or more versions around. I will probably go for the Chinese version with subtitles, though I'm thinking about renting it first. We will see...

Old Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee movies are always fun to watch -and I've probably seen like 80% of them- but I must say I also like sword fighting and the like. I'm sure most you have seen CTHD? Well, I simply loved the fight between the two women in the dojo - where one switches weapons every minute. I think the director did a great job there and it really captured my amazement.

@Dotties, that last comment of yours (westernized) is quite helpful and I will take that into consideration when I come across martial arts movies. I certainly dislike dubbed movies, it removes so much of the movies "feel".
About the flying and water walking; I didn't like those things in CTHD (especially the tree fight), but it's the only movie with that kind of magic that I've seen so far. Perhaps other movies show it better than CTHD...