Hero (2002), Zhang Yimou, D

Very pretty photography. Once they start flying around, I’m done. The only saving grace of a Kung-fu movie is to marvel at the athletics. Doesn’t being on a wire deaden that? The only Kung-fu movie I’ve ever liked was “The Legend of Drunken Master.” But I keep trying. Well, kinda. I watched this on fast-forward.

5 Comments

Ralph Pulner on January 25, 2007 at 1:38 pm

I agree with you 100% on this. It’s kind of a shame because the unification of China is a fascinating story yet I’ve never seen anyone do it right on film. WARNING:House of Flying Daggers is more of the same crap. I swear you’ll love Happy Times though….. 🙂

Jurgen on January 25, 2007 at 2:07 pm

The politics of this story are actually very questionable, but I agree about Yimou. House of Flying Daggers is even worse, but I did like Curse of the Golden Flower.

Jordan on January 25, 2007 at 2:32 pm

Noted on Happy Times.

I loved To Live, Raise the Red Lantern & jou Dou. I also liked Shanghai Triad. The one in B&W about the old, dead teacher not so much.

Jordan on January 25, 2007 at 2:35 pm

Dr, Fauth — Have you seen “To Live”? I think that one is pretty terrific — a kind of “1900” for China — it was banned in China. . .probably still is. Everything he’s done post-To Live has been very tame. He probably got a stern talking to.