It's not often I say "classic" for this genre, there are certain milestones. Much like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon back in 2000, Hero became popular in western audiences due to its easy accessibility and minimal dialogue. This film is absolutely gorgeous. One of THE most beautiful, stunning, majestic cinematic pieces ever conceived. The use of colour is so extraordinary that me attempting to describe it won't do it justice. Whole scenes are built on colours. Costumes, production design, the environment...all based on one colour. An example would be the fight scene in the woods where all the leaves and trees are autumnal, the costumes are shades of red. Then later on in the scene, the shades of yellow and brown transition to red seamlessly and it is just so damn beautiful. If a scene takes place in a desert then everything is presented as yellow. How about in the King's palace? The interior design, armour and costumes are black. It's not even subtle, so you will notice it but it's entrancing and makes the experience ever so hypnotising. The film is about a Nameless warrior retelling his eradication of three assassins to the King, but not everything is as clear as what he says it is. It's an intriguing narrative, if I were to dive into it it would spoil the plot. But there is a point where we have a flashback within a flashback (flashbackception?) so that should give you a clue regarding the linearity of the plot. Important themes are explored such as the similarities between idealism and love, how one can kill or be willing to die for an ideal or love. Excellently acted by Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, two assassins who are embroiled in a complicated love affair. Donnie Yen and Jet Li are there to provide the amazing action. A martial arts classic is not without its action, and Hero is damn full of it. The choreography is rapidly insane...how can anyone comprehend the speed at which these guys fight is beyond me. Just...watch this. Please, it's so good.

"Hero"Elegance told through stylized martial arts and storytelling with some historical significance behind the meaning ... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Emperor of Qi wants to unite all the kingdoms of China together under unified law. He has a very ruthless strategy of unification however, slaughtering thousands and seizing thrones everywhere. Many assassins have crossed the land to assassinate the Emperor but all have failed ...One day a swordsman named Nameless is presented in front of the King for his achievements of slaying three masterful assassins: Sky, Snow, and Broken Sword. Broken Sword and Snow have a love affair going, and rumor has it Snow had a one-night with Sky. To stage an act of jealous murder, Nameless slains Sky, and tells Snow it was Sky's dying wish for her to avenge him and kill Sword. Snow falls for the trap, and is easily defeated by Nameless after she kills Sword.The Emperor has doubts about Nameless claims, fore he too fought these great warriors and knows them not to fall under the guises of feelings. The Emperor's theory is the four assassins are working together to get close to his throne. He and Sky staged his murder so Nameless will be granted permission into the kingdom. Nameless then goes to Sword and Snow to enlist their help. Snow agrees but Sword refuses, believing the Emperor will indeed bring peace to the lands through his unorthodox tactics.Sword's clever words make Nameless hesitant. He relays Sword's message to the Emperor and the Emperor has a moment of epiphany when he understands the people who understand him the most are a rag-tag team of assassins. He's pressured into killing Nameless for his plots, but buries him a Hero instead of a traitor. The Emperor then goes to unite the six kingdoms and build the Great Wall of China..8.5/10

Beautiful to watch, past paced, engaging story, poignant at times. It never came of as overwrought or corny, which is a feat because this type of story could easily come off as melodramatic or campy. The cinematography and martial arts sequences were absolutely stunning. This movie was everything I want a historical action flick to be.

I really did enjoy this movie. The cinematography was sublime and kept the movie in it's entirety from being a flop. The story line was a little bit of a stretch for me, interesting, but a little over the top. However, the cinematography is what really made the watching experience so enjoyable. The directors use of varying angles, speeds, and lighting adds that little bit of oomph to the film. Vibrant colours, extreme close ups, and slow motion scenes seem to be at the center. The director executes the filming techniques in such a way that they add so much more to the film and he does a good job of making sure they don't detract. All in all - I'd recommend this film to somebody who enjoys good cinematography, but I wouldn't recommend it for the story.