Movie Review: Hero


Hero, shmero, cable fu hoopla

Perhaps, if viewed as a modern folk tale, told in the old style of flashing swords and amazing feats of superhuman powers, Hero makes sense. Perhaps, as I am amazingly Caucasian, I just can't get it at a fundamental level. It entertained me, but by no means was it the huge, meaningful story I was told to expect.

Rubber swords, spears made from 1" PVC (so it would waggle appropriately), post-production arrows, blood that isn't blood, and the same stories told four different times for the sake of four different fight sequences, and lots of hidden wires.

The moral of the story? Sometimes, the bad guy has to win in order to become the good guy. Sometimes, a dictator is a good thing, because a single man can unite a warring country. But, does it have to take 99 minutes of my life? Is it beautifully photographed? Yes, as much of it that is real is wonderful, but I can't admire a beautiful CGI setting, because, in theory, I can do that. And, if I can do it, it's not art.

The bottom line? One karate chop out of five. Rent it if you like cable fu folk tales, but not if you have any lick of sense without them.

Posted: Tue - December 27, 2005 at 12:06 PM      

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