My Review of Hero In Palm Springs

I loved this movie. It was so much better the second time. Perhaps it was my conscious effort this time to not read the subtitles, and just listen to the dialogue, perhaps it was the fact that I knew what was going to happen so paid more attention to details, perhaps it was the fact that I expected it to not be that good, or it could even be the fact that I was more emotionally receptive to the movie at this time, but for whatever reason, Hero was so much better the second time, that I now want to see it again right away!

There were scenes in this movie that were absolutely brilliant. Though a lot of the complaints I made after watching this movie the first time are still valid, there is one that is totally not true. Having been given more freedom to watch the small nuances of this film the second time around, I really felt what the characters felt. I didn't cry like a lot of people might, but there were definite moments when I got goosebumps.

First, the bad. The lake scene still had issues. The pacing of it was still wrong, and the fades were off. I just couldn't get into it like I wanted to. It felt as if the flow of it wasn't right. Especially for such a peaceful setting. I mean, why make such a fuss to have the lake perfectly still and look like a mirror and then not use it to it's best advantage? Why insist upon a tranquil setting and then have such a choppy and non-flowing scene? Bah!
The other scene that I didn’t like was the fight scene between Zhang Zi Yi and Jet. To me it was just too long. I mean, I can understand why they had to fight. The whole demonstration of her feelings for Tony and all that... but there was no reason for the scene to be that long. The only really cool shots in that sequence were the ones where Jet uses the flat of his sword to smack her around a bit, and when he catches her weapon with the gap in his own. Add those two sequences to a bit more fighting (a bit, not the extent it was) and to me that would have been a more than sufficient demonstration of not only her loyalty but also his skill. The rest to me was just thrown in because people want to see Zhang Zi Yi fight Jet Li. Superfluous and redundant in my opinion. They should have cut there and added more to the lake scene, or even the Zhang Ziyi & Maggie Cheung fight!
Now, good things. Where do I start? First of all, all of the actors I think did a great job. Zhang Ziyi, much as I don't like her even did a good job with the role she was given. Even Donnie Yen, though his part was short, was amazing. He pulled off his character very well, and you really got a feeling for what type of person his character was. Maggie was beautiful... Both her character, and her acting, though I can't say I watched her very much, for in most of her scenes she was greatly shadowed by the other people in them, but in those scenes where she was alone, she did well. Her aloof exterior in the red was a credit to her acting ability, for you could see that it was just a front. As for Tony Leung, Chen Dao Ming, and Jet... Words can't even begin to describe how I felt about their performances.

The emperor, played by Chen Dao Ming was amazing. Three moments in particular come to mind when thinking of his performance, and surprisingly, the fight scene with Tony Leung wasn't one of them, (though that was great as well). The first scene that comes to mind is the one from the trailer where he is talking about uniting china, etc. The power in his voice, and the passion behind it is stunning. And then, when Chen Dao Ming realizes that his sworn enemy is the only one who understands him, the look of shock, and the appreciation of the irony that he displays is really wonderful. But by far the best scene to me is the ending when his advisors are telling him he must follow the law, and order the assassination in order to conquer the country. The look on his face when he realizes that he has to listen to those who don't understand him and kill one of the few that does is a beautiful expression of anguish, remorse, and acceptance. Well done.
Jet as Wu Ming is fabulous. He is so cold and unfeeling in his presentation to the emperor of his story that he will most likely be portrayed by the critics as talentless. But to reach that level of cold I would think takes more skill than gushing all over someone does. The restraint of any emotion whatsoever has to be difficult. And yet, when watching the story unfold, you do see moments of Jet lifting an eyebrow, or making the smallest of gestures that portray much. In a lot of ways, Jet speaks more with his body motions, both in fights and out of them, and facial expressions then other actors do with lengthy monologues. He definitely was right for this movie not only in the fighting sequences, but also for the cold calculation he brings to his character. Smashing!

Watching Tony Leung depict the linear opposite of Jet yet without saying any more than Jet was stunning. In the red, Tony's whole body shouts hurt and betrayal, simply by the set of his jaw. Having him exact such a telling revenge, and then only breaking his silence to Maggie by yelling at her out of passion and fury was so gorgeous to watch. His love for her was apparent in every colour, in every outcome, in every way that love can be apparent whether it's jealousy and hurt or dedication and sacrifice. And although you may say this is just what the story calls for, I don't think anyone could have pulled it off quite as well as Tony did. Amazing.

Aside from the characters though, there were moments in this film that were absolutely brilliant. The sequence in the red from where the arrows start flying to where Jet tells Tony his handwriting is good is stunning. I got chills when the students started to run and the master tells them that even though they may die, their culture would live on and then goes and sits down amongst flying arrows and continues to write. The way the camera captures the movement of Tony's hair while writing the word sword to how Maggie and Jet fight off the arrows on the rooftop speaks of a keen eye for detail and pacing. The movement of Tony's hair while writing could almost be the most poetic of the movie.

At the conclusion of the Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi fight, how the leaves and all turn from yellow to red is so stunning and descriptive not only visually but emotionally that you can't help but gasp at the beauty of it. When Jet stands at the end, unflinching facing all those arrows, and then only the outline of a body shaped hole is left clear of arrows on the door, I cheered at the creativity and bloodless finality. These and many others are priceless and extremely satisfying.
I would have to say though, that my favourite scene is also the best movie star entrance I've seen in ages. Although the movie starts with Jet riding in a carriage on his way to see the emperor, that is in no way his entrance. Even seeing the strip search sequence still is not an entrance. The real entrance is when Donnie has just finished fighting the seven, and is leaving and then suddenly from offscreen comes Jet's voice loud and commanding, "Man!" (or the English translation "Stop!"). Then there is a brief shot of Donnie's face before you even see Jet step on the screen. It's like, you're given this chance to say, "This, this is what it's all about” and to feel the tension build before he makes his entrance. The anticipation for me in that moment made me want to shout out loud and say, "Here it comes!" And then, for the two of them to go into such a rapid display of martial arts skill, with Jet hitting Donnie's spear so hard it vibrates, and then another pause... if that's not a movie star entrance, then I don't know what is. Brilliant! I would watch the whole movie just to see that one moment again.
Overall, this movie was amazing... visually breathtaking, incredible acting, fabulous sound effects... add all that up, and you'll see why I can't wait to see it again. Have fun waiting. 

Just a side note to those of you who are watching the pirated version: I feel so sorry for you. There is no way that you could possibly get as much out of this film from a pirated VCD. I don't care if you have a super sound system or a HUGE big screen TV. It's just not the same, and I don't think you can get that initial viewing back. So if you're debating whether to wait or to see the pirated one... I'd say wait and watch it in the theaters first. If you want to watch or buy the pirated one after that, I don't care, go ahead. Just don't ruin the experience for yourself by watching it on a dinky screen first. It will just cheapen it for you.