Went to watch "Hero" with my young but very very tall apprentice last night. (sidenote: my Padawan is 6 ft 4 inches tall so last night, I felt like I was Obi-Wan Kenobi, well, a shorter version of Obi-Wan, heheheh. Now at least I know how tall Hayden will be when I actually see him. Yes, I will see him. Don't raise your eyebrows at me like that. You. Yes. You. Sheesh.).

"Hero" was... well, riveting. Really. I actually only had lapses of attention when I was taking a sidelong glance at my apprentice, trying to see if he's still actually breathing during Zhang Ziyi's scenes. Heheheh. Just kidding, Rain. :) I actually didn't notice the darn... ermmm... well, ah, misbehaving people behind us who were so noisy and who were laughing at the language. Sheep.

I admit that I am easily impressed by films like these, where the action scenes are spectacular and cinematic. But in this film, everything was well executed, and I didn't mind that it was only subtitled instead of dubbed. Hearing the actual voices and the actual language made things more... believable... and grounded, somehow. And the story was intriguing. And unexpected. Plus the philosophical aspects really affected me and made me think.

So who was the "Hero" anyways? I really don't know. In a way, Sky was a hero. He died for the cause that he believed in. Broken Sword was a hero too. He got past his anger and hatred and tried valiantly to help others do so too. He also sacrificed his life for what he believed in... and for the one he loved. Flying Snow is a little hard to place. But then like the first two characters, she fought for what she believed in also. Nameless was the same. In a way, even the Emperor was a hero too. I guess the choice would have to depend on the viewer's point of view of what really makes someone a hero.... Sounds good to me. We all have our own notions about heroism and it's nice to keep it that way because our experiences are different too, and uniquely ours. But the shifts in points of view of the story was a good way to present the film. It makes one think, makes one actually experience some kind of paradigm shift, helps the viewer see things in a different light.

I sat there at the end of the movie for a few short moments thinking about one aspect of the film that until now I still cannot really decide on. Was the Emperor's decision justified? In his meeting with Nameless, they talked about "all under heaven". The Emperor was happy that Broken Sword actually understood him. The killing must stop, for one person's suffering is insignificant compared to that of a whole town or a whole nation. One must think of the greater good. All under heaven. I actually thought the Emperor would never give the order for execution because Nameless spared him. But then... somehow I think the advisers's collective use of the same phrase, "all under heaven", affected the Emperor's decision. Intriguing, it's like Nameless was actually expecting it. It seemed like a smile flitted across his face when he heard the arrows start to fly towards him.... All under heaven.... *sigh* It will take sometime for me to actually decide on this. :)

My rating? 4.8 / 5 stars. Good portrayals, great great great cinematography, intriguing plot, good lessons, entertaining, thought-provoking. :)

Next movie. :)


.:chronicled by senator skywalker at 6:55:00 PM:.
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