I just staggered wide-eyed out of "Hero," and I can't think of a higher peak in the art of cinematography. And when it comes to that 'flying-through-the-air,' dance-style of martial arts, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a pale shadow compared to this piece of work.

Further, I cannot think of a film that stands as a "national movie" more boldly and comprehensively than this. This film is China... beautifully and poetically.

I hear rumors there's a longer cut than the 109 minute version I just saw, and I've got to track it down.

The one distracting thing... the theme by Tan Dun is, pretty much, the same theme he used in Crouching Tiger... Is this a national song or a traditional Chinese melody? It's performed beautifully, but it *did* distract me.

Anyway, I think I've just seen my favorite film of 2004. If I'm wrong, then this is a great year already.

I have been waiting, waiting, waiting to catch this. The gorgeous stills I've seen on the web have whet my appetite for months. What exactly happened with the theatrical release? IIRC, Opus has been complaining about the studio editing it and/or delaying the release for quite some time.

There's a lot of material about the film, its Miramax treatment, and Quentin Tarantino's quest to protect the film's intergrity here.

And here: Miramax cut 20 minutes because they were "too Asian"???!!

Here's Time Magazine's review.

Yes, yes, yes... I like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but it was nowhere near as mindblowing simply because I've seen many wuxia (Chinese swordplay) movies over the years. However, Hero is everything Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon wanted to be, and so much more. The direction, the cinematography (noone can touch Christopher Doyle, as far as I'm concerned), the martial arts, the acting, everything in this movie worked so perfectly for me.

And you're right, Jeffrey, about this being a very "national" movie. There has been some criticism in the way that the film romanticizes the first Chinese emperor (who was actually quite a despot), but there's no doubt that the film is ultimately a love letter to China.

As far as the longer version, here's the sordid story. When Hero was released, Miramax bought the worldwide distribution rights. However, at their request, Yimou trimmed about 20 minutes or so, in order to make it easier to market around the world. However, Yimou is planning to release the "Director's Cut" at some point, but it keeps getting pushed back. The latest I heard is that the extended version will be coming out later this summer as part of a promotional campaign for some DVD player in China, and then will be "officially" released at a later date. This will not be released through Miramax, as Yimou has refused to work with them after the way they handled Hero. You're best bet is to check out mailorder places like HKFlix or AznFilms.

I can't wait for this to finally be released it in theatres. I've seen it countless times on DVD (I managed to get a copy before Miramax started cracking down on importers), and am longing to see it on the big screen. I'm glad you liked it, Jeffrey, and look forward to reading your review.

You can find a link to this on the Time review Jeffrey posted earlier, but here's an indepth article on the making Hero, from a year or so back.

There's a ton of Hero-related material on this page, including interviews, reviews, opinion pieces, and plenty of stills. However, there are a number of spoilers sprinkled about the page. Most require highlighting to read, but you still might need to navigate with care.

Thanks, both of you, for posting all of that info. Man, I can't remember ever seeing a more dazzling use of color in film.

Alright, since I've already posted up a storm, I might as well post a link to my (freshly re-edited) review.

Terrific review. If we still had a "drooling" emoticon, it would go HERE.

I just mentioned this film to a Chinese coworker in the cubicle adjacent to mine... and she's bringing in the DVD for me tomorrow. Y'all have got me totally psyched.

OK. This thread has me officially psyched too. When does it hit the theaters?

-s.

As far as the longer cut of Hero goes, there was a release of it on DVD before (and I think this might be conjecture) Miramax told the distributor to cease production, cause they didn't want to have any US profits affected by importers.

It looks amazing. After the trailer, I wanted to see this the other night instead of Kill Bill Vol. 2.

SDG, I would appeal to you to wait and see it for the first time on the big screen. I am SO GLAD I did.

Imagine seeing Star Wars on TV in 1977 before you saw it in the theatre. That's the best case I can make for it.

Oh, and by the way, that's a great review, Morehead.

My envy for those who have seen this have rendered me incapable of anything but guttural mewling.

opus wrote:
: Yeah, as painful as this might be for you, I'd have to agree. This really is one to
: see on the big screen.

So ... hacked up and big is better than whole and small?

Ok I confess, I purchased the DVD for $10 on Ebay and I am going to kick myself 'cause this definitely is one film that needs to be watched on the big screen.

What is the official release date of this film in the US?

Did I hear that this film was already nominated for oscar's best foreign film of 2003?

If you haven't seen the trailer to http://www.casshern.com/ check it out.

Here's a trailer on the Apple website: http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/hero/

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

That trailer spoils some of the movie's greatest moments!!

STAY AWAY!!!!

I despise everyone who has withheld this movie from me.

They will pay.

Just watched this film again last night with a bunch of friends, most of whom hadn't seen it yet, and they all loved it (and a couple of them are not necessarily kung fu fans - though I'm working on that). I even had one person comment that she liked it much more than Crouching Tiger....

Now, I realize this is not market research, but Miramax could have a real sleeper on their hands... if they handle it right.

I was one of the fortunates who watched Hero last night at Jason's and man... it is an amazing film. I was so overwhelmed by just the sheer visual beauty of it soaking the screen. It definitely demands repeated viewing, and I am now more impatient than ever for it to hit the big screens.

Bethany, that is an amazing avatar. Don't trade it in, it is perfect. And knowing that someone who's picked such a great avatar is talking about the beauty on the screen in Hero, i am still psyched for August 20th.

-s.

PS. And Jeffrey, thanks for the tip about the trailer. I've just decided to stay away from it for now, and go with the word of all the people on this board.

The uncut, director's version of Hero is finally being released on DVD in China on July 16th, which means it'll soon be available on EBay and from various overseas resellers. There will be 3 versions...

• DVD-5 - 118 minute film only
• DVD-9 - 118 minute film plus 32 minutes of extras
• DVD-9 - 118 minute film plus 62 minutes of extras, special edition box

All 3 are supposed to have English subtitles, though I assume that's for the movie only and doesn't include the special features (based on other Chinese DVDs I've picked up). For more info, there's an ongoing discussion on the Kung Fu Cult Cinema forums.

Also, Yimou's House Of Flying Daggers will have it's North American premier at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival, which I will be attending. Consider my fingers crossed...

I still have not seen this. I weep openly and without solace.

Well, hey, it was the only safe haven in the UAE where we could sit for 7 hours of layover...

One can only spend so long at Starbucks.

My eyes caught the title To Live on the shelves of my library's foreign film section, so I grabbed it up, thinking it was Ikiru, only to find that this one, aka Huozhe, is by Zhang Yimou. Seeing as how I'm waiting oh so anxiously for Hero to finally arrive, there was no way I could pass it up. Have I stumbled onto a treasure?

I've just seen Hero again, this time on DVD. The film opens in theatres at the end of the month. Start saving your pennies. You will not see anything so beautiful on the big screen all year...

I've heard less than satisfactory things about Hero, mostly that it is astounding visually but shallow thematically. It apparently lacks all of the depth of his previous films. But I'm still excited, because as much as I love stuff like Raise the Red Lantern, To Live, or Shanghai Triad, I can't help hoping that Hero will compare to The Road Home. The latter is very simple as far as story goes but the visuals (or basically just Ziyi's facial acting) makes the whole thing endure in the heart as well as whatever part of the body makes you go 'wow'.

(Just in case... )

I don't find Hero to be shallow at all. While the story does offer awed and respectful nods to the glory of Chinese Imperialism, it does so in a way that recommends peace over violence, restraint versus displays of intimidating power, and with such respect and reverence for the cultures that have been grievously wronged in the name of “empire” that it leaves the viewer wondering where the storyteller’s heart truly lies. Some have called the film "imperialist propaganda," which I find odd, considering that the forces of imperialism are portrayed as dark, oppressive forces that speak with a sort of Borg-like collective mind, whereas the differing cultures being swallowed by the Imperialist tide are portrayed as beautiful, intricate, full of life, love, intelligence, and artistry.

There's an interesting interview with Zhang in the new issue of Moviemaker. He calls To Live his best film, but promises better ones to come. He also addresses a fascinating change in the English translation of the film, which drastically altered an important message delivered by one of the characters late in the film.

But I'd caution all of you... the plot DOES have twists and turns in its Rashomon-like approach. I'm already seeing too many reviews that spoil these twists. BEWARE.

CHUD just posted an interview with Jet Li... click here.

My review is up.

Whew... a good review can make you excited about a movie you've already seen countless times. Great work, Jeffrey! I'm interested to see the sort of feedback, if any, you get for this one.

Now, bring on MovieGuide's review!

P.S. Did they really change "All under heaven" in the theatrical release? If so, I prefer the original as well, especially to the limp-sounding "Our land" - it makes the movie's themes that much more epic, I think.

At the press screening here a couple of months ago, it was indeed "Our land." I didn't know to think otherwise until I read an interview with Zhang Yimou in the latest Moviemaker, and then I saw the import DVD and much prefered the translation there.

At Movie Parables, our own Michael Elliott turns in another four-star review.

Next?

*sigh* I should see it this Friday, full of anticipation. Hopefully I will squeak something out this weekend.