Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I just finished my second viewing of Zhang Yi-Mou�s �Hero�. I submit that it is one of the very best movies of the last 10 years.

I don�t use the word stunning very often, but his use of colors is just that. There is a scene where all the trees are yellow and the two women are in blood red, another where everyone is in blood red, another in white, one in blue and one in green. Lots of flowing silk robes. It�s just visually �wow-ing�!

Second, most of the outdoor scenes are in a spectacular desert. It reminds me so much of John Ford westerns. There is something mythic about the starkness of the desert scenes, which is fitting for this story. Awesome.

He has a very nice way of using water, whether it be rain, tears or lakes that is very nice.

I also appreciated the director's restraint. There's lots of sword fighting and dying, but only a couple of tasteful shots of blood. I remember when "Bonnie and Clyde" made realistic violence OK in movies and thinking it was an honest move. There are times now when it is an honest choice, but most of the time, movies are made just to show the blood spattering all over the wall. It ain't the same thing. I appreciate the restraint. I'm glad Zhang understands that I'm capable of exeriencing other emotions in addition to shock. Restraint is an art. Gross-out is not.

My only complaint is the plot got just too confusing near the end. It went from intriguing to confusing. Too bad.

On top of all the great visuals, the question posed at the end has had me thinking. I�ve been going back and forth on it for days and that�s a good sign. It�s a question about individuality and the group (I don�t want to say specifically because I don�t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn�t seen it.) The first time I watched it, I thought �How Chinese�. Then I had to question my own reaction. Maybe it�s right. Then I catch myself saying, �No, the best thing about Western Civ is individualism.� But then, in that situation maybe the hero made the right choice. Arg!

Anyway, two thumbs up on this movie.

sekki · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Have you seen "House Of Flying Daggers"?

safeblad · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

sekki · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

man I've been wanting to see Hero... looked in vain at several video stores... maybe the Net has a pirated copy

Hapkido-In · Joined: 24 Jun 2006

I disagree with OP.

I didn't like Hero at all. Pretty colours don't make a movie great.

I also dislike the use of wires in martial arts movies along with grossly impossible movements/techniques. The closer to reality, the better when it comes to martial arts.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

KittyLover · Joined: 20 May 2006

I think the stunts with the wires are rather artistic. It gives you the feeling that you're watching a myth or legend rather than just another action flick.

stumptown · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 10:21 pm Post subject:

How about learning to spell the word 'red' instead of 'read'? Rolling Eyes

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Delirium's Brother · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:15 am Post subject:

Hero was good, but House of Flying Daggers was a masterpiece (better than CTHD).

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

Hero was beautiful, and I loved the shots and how they played with color. For me, one of the scenes that sticks in my mind is when the unnamed one (like all good action movies) is at the gate and the ministers are telling the emperor to kill him. Of course there's that great bit with the sword fight within the hall and the green curtains falling down. What was really surprising for me was that I liked the music as much as I did.