Film Review – Hero – Swordplay of the thinking mind Essay Example
Film Review – Hero – Swordplay of the thinking mind Essay Example

Film Review – Hero – Swordplay of the thinking mind Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (694 words)
  • Published: September 17, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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The movie Hero delves into the question of what makes a hero and whether being on the side of the law or winning through enemy deaths is necessary. It takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery while investigating the essence of heroism. Despite being categorized as a "slash-and-gash" martial arts/wuxia film, Hero veers from the genre's stereotypes by exploring human nature and intricate thinking as much as it revolves around martial arts combat. It is set in Ancient China when violent conquerors were dominant, and its unusual feature was shooting it in China. The movie has extraordinary scenes and surreal combats that go beyond expectations for a martial arts film. Above all, Hero consciously revolves around exploring what one should fight for and whether killing someone can be justified.

The film revolves around Nameless, a man with exceptional abilities and bravery, s

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eeking revenge against Emperor Qin's merciless army for slaughtering his people. To achieve his goal, he battles vicious assassins like Sky, Flying Snow, and Broken Sword. The movie uses flashbacks to illustrate different themes such as vengeance (red) and honor (blue), employing a retrospective style of storytelling.

The flashbacks in this storyline cover everything involved in achieving the essence of being a warrior and potentially a hero. While initially confusing, the plot eventually converges around defining true heroism. The cast includes highly skilled actors from both local and international backgrounds. Jet Li, a renowned martial arts actor, portrays Nameless, a wildcard character with the capacity for both good and evil. Donnie Yen, a longstanding martial arts expert, plays Sky, a character reminiscent of Robin Hood. Maggie Cheung, a dramatic actress, portrays Flying Snow

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a character seeking vengeance. Finally, actor Tony Leung plays Broken Sword, a wise individual in the story.

Emperor Qin, the Misunderstood, is played by veteran actor Chen Dao Ming. While Jet Li and Donnie Yen are experienced in martial arts, most of the other actors are not. However, they all have experience in dramas which leads to unexpected plot twists and surprises. Despite their limited martial arts skills, their portrayal of characters allows them to convincingly convey the struggles of ordinary people who may be misunderstood - with one exception: their exceptional sword-fighting abilities that rival our remote control skills! Ultimately, these actors are just like you and me.

The film holds many surprises, including the unexpected sympathy felt towards Emperor Qin - a brutal conqueror and unlikely character to elicit such emotions. This is due to his moral conflict regarding the greater good, which endears him to the audience as his fate is dependent on Nameless' decision. Additionally, all characters exhibit duality between their physical combat abilities and their moral beings, portrayed through scenes of subconscious combat. Such artful depiction makes this film a captivating experience for viewers.

Despite being a "drama" director like most of the cast, the film's director has done an impressive job with his first venture into the martial arts genre. Despite limited knowledge in the field, he has created a masterpiece with scenes that are visually stunning and thought-provoking, much like a painting in motion in a museum.

The film director's work showcases stunning artistic depictions, including a forest adorned with gold where two women duel over one person's affections with swords and men engaged in an internal battle for dignity on

a still lake that reflects like a mirror. The director's innovative technique entails highlighting often-ignored aspects of each scene, such as the gentle flow of rivers or the rustling of leaves in the breeze, beautifully capturing human emotions. To elevate these mesmerizing visuals, traditional Chinese music is seamlessly integrated into the soundtrack. Each sequence features an original composition by skilled Chinese orchestral musicians who tailored their pieces to match and intensify each scene's ambiance. As a result, viewers are transported to another realm through this captivating and thought-provoking experience.

The exceptional movie sets itself apart from others with its unique twist ending, making it a worthwhile watch for all age groups and particularly those uncertain of their beliefs. Its delightful portrayal of love, respect, and honesty emphasizes that heroes can come from anywhere - even you.

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