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[IMG]http://img5.picsplace.to/img5/18/hero06[1].jpg[/IMG]
Reviewed by Long Dang
Cast
Jet Li as Nameless
Donnie Yen as Sky
Tony Leung as Broken Sword
Maggie Cheung as Snow
Zhang Ziyi as Moon
Chen Dao Ming as Qin Emperor
Summary (Spoilers)
The film opens with a cavalry of armed men on horseback escorting a lone man in a carriage to the palace. We discover that this man is an orphan from Qin. Being an orphan meant he had no name so people called him "Nameless" (Jet Li). He has achieved a great feat that has caused a stir throughout the Kingdom of Qin and has been summoned to the palace by the Qin Emperor (Chen Dao Ming).
For defeating the renowned assassin Sky (Donnie Yen), Nameless is rewarded with silk, gold, and lands. He is also allowed to sit and drink within 20 paces of the Qin Emperor, who is eager to learn how Sky, Broken Sword (Tony Leung), and Snow (Maggie Cheung) were defeated.
Nameless explained to the Qin Emperor that he had gone to great lengths to uncover a secret that no one in China knew. That Sky and Snow had a one night stand with each other. Because of this Broken Sword and Sky, who were lovers, had not spoken for three years. In order to defeat Broken Sword he must fist defeat Sky. When asked which weapon he had used, Nameless explains to the Qin Emperor that he used the "sword" to match Sky"s powerful spear that has injured thousands of Qin guards. Nameless recounts his duel in detail with Sky to the Qin Emperor.
That day it was raining. Sky turned up at a chess house because he enjoyed listening to the music. Seven of the Qin Emperor"s bravest and fiercest warriors had turned up at the chess house to arrest Sky. They request him to reveal his identity by showing his spear. Sky had covered up his spear with a leather pouch. But sky does not reveal the tip of the spear. The leader of the seven warriors then attacks Sky one on one, but his defeated. Then two warriors attack Sky side by side. They display great skill and team work, but are overwhelmed by Sky"s deadly spear. The last four warriors attack Sky in formation. But once again Sky feds them off easily. But he shows them mercy by allowing them to live. The Seven Qin warriors bows to acknowledge Sky"s kind act as he turns to leave.
Just when Sky was about to leave, someone called out from the distance, "Wait!". Upon turning around Sky noticed a simple Perfect Marshall of Qin standing behind him. It was Nameless who had come to arrest him. Nameless charges at Sky who becomes a little worried upon noticing the excellent lightness kung fu utilised. They exchange a serious of blows before Sky finally decides to reveal the tip of his spear. It was an act to acknowledge that he had met into a powerful foe worthy of his skills. At this point the old musician senses trouble and decides to leave. But Nameless decides to stop him and offers him a few coins in exchange for more music. The old man stays and plays a few mellow tunes.
Nameless and Sky stand 20 paces away from each other to listen to the music. Though they had not been physically fighting each other, they fought in their minds. Music and martial arts, although different were based on the same principles. Both required one to be in an extreme state of relaxation to in order reach its highest peak. They fought in their minds for over an hour, before the old musician got tired and broke a string on his zither. Nameless takes this opportunity to immediately attack Sky who appeared to be unprepared. Nameless"s thrust manages pierce through Sky"s stomach and slice the tip the spear off. Sky slumps to the ground upon the impact.
"What a fast sword!", praises the Qin Emperor upon hearing of Sky"s defeat at the hands of Nameless. For defeating Broken Sword and Snow, Nameless was rewarded with more silk, gold, and land. He was also allowed to drink within 10 paces of the Qin Emperor. Taking Broken Sword's and Snow"s sword into his own hands to examine them, the Qin Emperor then questions Nameless as to how he was able to defeat Broken Sword and Snow when ten thousand of his armed Qin soldiers could not prevent them from storming the palace three years ago. Nameless informs the Emperor that he used "strategy" rather than "skill" to defeat them. The Qin Emperor recognises the merits of Nameless story and asked him to recount the story about how Broken Sword and Sky were defeated.
Nameless rode on horse back to the Kingdom of Zhao dressed as one of their citizens. That day it was rumoured that the Qin army would attack Zhao. Whilst most people had fled, the calligraphy school remained open. Nameless had uncovered that Broken Sword was a master at the calligraphy school under the alias name of "Highcliff" and that Snow used the alias name of "Springbok". It was also rumoured throughout wulin that Broken Sword's skills were derived from the art of calligraphy. So in order to defeat Broken Sword, Nameless needed to uncover the essence of Broken Sword's sword arts through his calligraphy.
Upon arriving at the calligraphy school Nameless requests master Broken Sword to use the 20th method of writing the character of "sword". Broken Sword agrees. As he is trying to write the character of "sword" the Qin army arrives and attacks, showering the calligraphy school with thousands of arrows. Rather than flee with their lives the students at the calligraphy school draw strength from their calligraphy and remain at the school. To enable Broken Sword to complete writing the character of "sword", Snow and Nameless rush out of the calligraphy school and leap onto the rooftop. They fend off the thousands of arrows with their excellent sword skills. Soon the Qin army stops firing arrows and set up camp outside, in preparation of an attack the following day.
Snow is aware that Nameless did not come for Broken Sword's calligraphy so asks for his identity. Nameless refuses to reveal his true identity, but instead requests that she meet him at midnight in the library. Snow agrees. Due to Nameless's sword skills, Broken Sword was able to present him with the 20th method of writing the character of "sword". Nameless takes the piece of calligraphy but also asks Broken Sword to meet him at midnight in the library. Broken Sword agrees. That night Nameless studied the calligraphy but was unable to uncover the essence behind the sword arts. Knowing that he could not defeat Broken Sword with his skills he reverted to using strategies.
[IMG]http://img5.picsplace.to/img5/18/hero03[1].jpg[/IMG]
That night he informed Broken Sword and Snow that he had defeated Sky. He claimed that Sky had stated prior to his death that Snow was his only love and that Snow would avenge his death. These comments obviously made Broken Sword jealous. He left Snow with the tip of Sky's spear and stated that she could find him at the Qin army camp if she sought to avenge Sky's death. With that Nameless left having successfully planted the seed of doubt and destruction between Snow and Broken Sword.
Sure enough, Nameless' strategy worked. Broken Sword became so enraged and jealous upon noticing that Snow had kept a piece of Sky's broken spear with her. The piece fitted exactly onto the Sky's broken spearhead, further confirming that they had a one night stand. That night Broken Sword waited until Snow walked pass his room when his young female apprentice, Moon (played by Zhang ZiYi) was combing his hair. He immediately grabbed onto Moon and made passionate love on his bed, to make Snow jealous. Later that night Snow stabbed Broken Sword in the back whilst he was exclaiming in the corridor that he did not lover at all.
The next day, Moon sought revenge for her master and fought with Snow in the willow forest. Moon's skills were far too inferior and was thus slained at the edge of Snow's sword. Before dying, Moon, laughed at Snow for being foolish and for killing Broken Sword so rashly. This upset Snow. Nameless ruse had worked. The day Snow confronted Nameless for a duel she was so disorientated that she was defeated easily and died.
"Ah pity!", sighed the Qin Emperor upon hearing how Broken Sword and Snow had fallen because of fit of passion. Then the Qin Emperor noticed something odd. All of the candles placed between him and Nameless appear to be pointing in his direction. It was obvious that something was not right. The candles had revealed the "murderous' thoughts of Nameless to the Qin Emperor. Leaning back in his throne the Qin Emperor then asked for Nameless impression of Broken Sword and Snow. Nameless advised the Emperor that they were immoral and petty people. The Qin Emperor thought otherwise. He explained to Nameless that he thought Broken Sword and Snow were heroic, and honourable people. The Qin Emperor went on further to state that the story told by Nameless must have been a complete lie. The Qin Emperor recounted his own views of the event.
He guessed that Sky and Nameless were friends who formed a pact to assassinate him. The duel between Sky and Nameless had been staged in front of the Seven Warriors from Qin. This would allow Nameless within 20 paces of the Qin Emperor. Having reached this conclusion the Qin Emperor guessed that Nameless must possess a deadly skill that could be performed within 10 paces, otherwise he would not need to seek the assistance of Broken Sword and Snow. Nameless acknowledge that the Qin Emperor was very wise, and that he had a stance within his sword arts named "10 Pace Kill" that was very accurate and deadly.
The Qin Emperor praised this move and then went onto to reveal his own thoughts on how Broken Sword and Snow were defeated. He assumed that Broken Sword and Snow upon hearing of the honourable sacrifice of Sky agreed to assist Nameless in the assassination attempt. But they sought first to test Nameless skills. Nameless displayed how quick his sword was by cutting the scrolls on the bookshelves which were exactly 10 paces away. As Broken Sword and Snow loved each other, they deliberated hard about who would go and assist Nameless. Finally Snow injured Broken Sword by stabbing him in the stomach before confronting Nameless at the Qin army camp. She then gave her life willingly to assist in the assassination. To honour the memory of Snow, Nameless and Broken Sword duelled in their minds, in a similar manner in which Nameless duelled with Sky. As a token Broken Sword instructed Moon to present his own sword to Nameless so that it would go side by side with Snow"s sword to the palace.
Upon hearing the Qin Emperor's guesses of the events, Nameless revealed his own identity. That he was actually a citizen of Zhao and his parents were murdered by Qin soldiers. He stumbled into Qin territory where he was adopted. He sought revenge on the Qin Emperor upon growing up. Nameless then informed the Qin Emperor that he had made one wrong assumption. That he had underestimated Broken Sword's intention. Shocked the Qin Emperor asked for an explanation. Once more Nameless recounted the events.
That day he visited Broken Sword and Snow, they sought not only to test the quickness of Nameless sword but also its accuracy. Nameless was able to demonstrate that his sword was accurate by piercing through a white pen amongst a dozen of black pens within 10 paces. Snow agreed to assist Nameless upon seeing the deadly precision of his sword. It was certain that he would be capable of murdering the Qin Emperor. But Broken Sword shocked Nameless when he informed them that he would stop anyone who wished to assassinate the Qin Emperor.
Snow was determined to assist Nameless in the assassination that she and Broken Sword fought with each other. After a serious of exchanges she called out for Nameless to assist her. At first nameless refused, as it was not honourable to attack one from behind. But he understood that unless they defeat Broken Sword, he would prevent them from assassinating the Qin Emperor. So Nameless distracted Broken Sword, allowing Snow to stab and wound him in the stomach. Seeing that her master had been injured, Moon attacked Nameless. But her skills were far too inferior and she was easily defeated.
Nameless and Snow then fought at the Qin army camp. She was defeated and Nameless obtain her sword. He was confronted by Broken Sword and Moon after the duel. Broken Sword attempted to persuade Nameless. He explained that the Qin Emperor could not be killed and recounted his encounter with the Qin Emperor three years ago.
Broken Sword was a loner who drifted and wandered throughout wulin for many years. He came across Snow along his journeys. She was the daughter of a Zhao General who was murdered by the Qin army. She inherited her father's sword and sought vengeance on the Qin Emperor. Broken Sword and Snow fell in love, and Broken Sword had promised to assist her. In tun Snow knew that Broken Sword as a loner, and promised that after the assassination she would take him to a place where he could call home. A place without a sword. Just a man and a woman. Together they refined their sword arts through calligraphy. It took many years to master the arts.
When their sword arts reached a peak, Broken Sword and Snow stormed the palace together. Even ten thousand armoured soldiers could not stop them. The Qin Emperor could have died at the edge of Broken Sword's blade that day, but he gave up. He explained that calligraphy had taught him that the Qin Emperor could not be killed, and pleaded with Nameless once more not to proceed with his assassination attempt. But Nameless refused. So Broken Sword left him with two words written in the sand. They read "The World". He then instructed Moon to present his sword to Nameless and rode off. Moon gave one final attempt to persuade Nameless and failed.
The Qin Emperor was in tears upon hearing the retelling of Broken Sword's story from Nameless. He could have never guessed that his deadly foe and enemy was the only person who understood his true intentions of re-uniting China. This moved him to question how Nameless would kill him without a weapon. Nameless replied by saying that he would seize it. The Qin Emperor laughed, and stated that he was content to die upon having a confident like Broken Sword. He threw his own sword towards Nameless and asked him to decide the fate of the people of the world. The Qin Emperor then turned his back on Nameless, indicating that he was serious about giving up his own life. As he waited for death, the Qin Emperor examined more closely the character of "sword" that was written by Broken Sword and presented to him by Nameless.
Nameless hesitated to for a moment to murder the Qin Emperor. Finally he plucked up the courage and pulled the sword that had stabbed into table before him. He pointed it towards the Qin Emperor having made up his mind to assassinate him. But before he could do so the Qin Emperor finally understood the essence behind Borken Sword's calligraphy. He went on to explain that the third highest form of swordsmanship is when one connects with the sword. He could then kill with any weapon from a blade of grass. The second highest form swordsmanship is when one becomes the sword. He could kill with his bare hands. The highest form of swordsmanship is to have no sword at all. The swordsman does not seek to kill but rather bring peace to the world.
Upon hearing the Qin Emperor's comments, Nameless is certain that he is dedicated to the highest form of swordsmanship and would seek to bring peace to the people. He stabs the Qin Emperor with the handle of the sword, advising him to remember all those who have died before there's peace in China. He then drops the sword and turns to leave. The palace guards surround him, but dare not attack without the Qin Emperor's permission. The Qin Emperor appears to hesitate and is sadden to watch Nameless disappear from his sight. That's when the bureaucrats come in and demand that the Qin Emperor gives his permission to the royal guards to kill Nameless. The Qin Emperor finally complies with their requests and nods his head. The royal guards showers Nameless with a sea of arrows. He does not try to fend them off and is thus slained at the palace gates.
Meanwhile, Snow receives a red flag from one of her servants indicating that Nameless had failed his assassination attempt. She immediately rides towards the palace but is blocked off by Broken Sword. Snow is upset and challenges Broken Sword to a duel. Broken Sword refuses at first but eventually fights her. He wants to prove a point. During the battle Broken Sword lowers his guard, allowing Snow's sword to penetrate through his stomach. It is a fatal wound. Shocked that Broken Sword did not block, Snow asked for an explanation. Broken Sword replied that he wanted to prove to Snow how much peace meant to him. With his last ounce of breath he asked Snow to take care, and that he wished to have been able to visit her home and settle down.
At that moment Snow finally understood Broken Sword and felt regretful that she had slained him. She bends down and hugs the body of Broken Sword tightly before giving a loud scream. She then remarks that she is taking Broken Sword home with her and commits suicide. Moon is left to mourn the lost of both her master, Broken Sword and Snow. She had followed him faithfully to the end.
We are advised at the end that Nameless received a grand and heroic burial and that Sky had stopped practising martial arts in honour of Nameless, Broken Sword, and Snow.
Rating: 4/5
[IMG]http://img5.picsplace.to/img5/18/hero05[1].jpg[/IMG]
"Hero" is another blockbuster directed by Zhang Yi Mou. The story is about an assassination attempted on the Qin Emperor towards the end of the Seven Kingdoms period before the establishment of the Han Dynasty.
This has to be one of the best movies I have ever seen. It had a great plot. The story told from different perspectives reminds us how clouded things can get. That one person's account of the events can be totally different to another's account, and also with reality. Obviously the account of actual history can be just as clouded, as it is, after all told through people. I liked the use of colour schemes to convey this. With "red" being a passionate tale, "blue" being a tale of true love, "green" being a tale of remembrance, and "white" being the truth. This movie reminded me a lot of "Courage Under Fire" starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan.
The title "Hero" is well suited to this film. It one way or another each of the characters in the movie was a hero in their own right. The Qin Emperor, thought to be a tyrant by many is actually a hero in this film for attempting to unite China to bring "peace" to the people. Broken Sword sacrificed his live and gave up his one true love for "peace". In the end for "peace" Snow finally gave up her quest for revenge and took Broken Sword home with her. For "peace" Moon followed her master faithfully until the end, even challenging Nameless to fight in the library when her master was injured by Snow. Sky sacrificed himself for "peace". Finally, for "peace" Nameless abandoned his assassination attempt and gave up his own life. In doing Nameless had also achieved the supreme state of swordsmanship. That is to bring "peace" to the world rather than kill.
The music score was excellent, though a little similar to the haunting tune used in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". What more can you say about the colour palette, and costumes used for this film. Classic and well suited to the genre. The fighting sequences were a little over the top as you'd expect in this type of film. The most memorable fight was the opening sequence between Donnie Yen and Jet Li, two real martial artists, though assisted by ropes. The rest of the fighting sequences were okay, but I found the duel over the lake between Tony Leung and Jet Li to be absolutely ridiculous.
You can't really fault the acting skills from anyone in this cast. All portrayed their characters well. Jet Li is superb as the cold faced assassin. Tony Leung has really gained my respect over the past 10 years by taking on serious roles and excelling in them. I thought he was a bit of a clown in his earlier years. Donnie Yen appeared briefly but looked like a elite swordsman and added a touch of coolness to his character which I liked. Maggie Cheung is just the darling of the Asian filming industry and always puts in classic performances. Rarely does she let people down. Chen Dao Ming looked very noble and wise in his portray of the Qin Emperor. Though the historical records do state that the Qin Emperor was an imposing and fearful character. Chen Dao Ming looked anything but fearful. Rather, he looked warm and friendly. So perhaps someone with sharp evil eyes could have been chosen for this role.
Last but not least is Zhang ZiYi who seem to have as much fanfare as those who hate her. Frankly speaking the character she played had little life or spark. Moon was a minor character after all and always in the background. You could have casted Marilynn Monroe (not that you would in an Asian film) in this role for all I care and it would have still been the same lame and minor role. I think Zhang ZiYi did very well for such a minor role and there isn't much you can fault about her performance. It was surprising that an actress of her stature even agreed to appear in such a minor role. For the procedures it must have been a blessing as Zhang ZiYi's appearance in the film meant that they could actively market this film internationally and ride the rollercoaster of Zhang ZiYi's popularity in the USA and around the world after "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
If you truly love films, this is definitely one to watch. It definitely deserved the Oscar for best "Foreign Language Film" at the 75th Academy Awards. |
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