"Hero": the Beauty of Special Effects
By Michael Bauer, 09.23.04

It has been almost been a month since the film's debut, but “Hero” still lingers inside of me. In the quiet still moments of the day I sense it- like an aftertaste for the soul.

Jet Li stars as “Nameless,” a Chinese prefect summoned by the emperor, when word spreads that he single handedly killed the last three assassins against the empire. Peace will now reign. Through a series of beautifully crafted flashbacks, we discover more of the truth behind this Chinese hero.

Hero’s gorgeous cinematography rivals any known film, and its elegant fight scenes harness the true beauty behind martial arts. Sometimes we feel as though we may be watching a “Crouching Tiger,” “Hidden Dragon” sequel-especially since one of its stars shows up in this film. But there is something deeper to Hero. The movie unfolds before your eyes and leaves you captivated.

The special effects during the fight scenes are fantastic. In one scene, Jet Li and another character fend off thousands of arrows with their swords. Although this scene is highly improbable, its portrayal makes it seem believable.

The only questionable aspect of this movie is a love scene. Although no skin is showing, the sounds under the silk sheets are quite explicit.

So if you are in need of a break or just a fan of a good story, this is undoubtedly one of the better movies of the decade. Let your soul enjoy a transcendental experience and witness the honor, discipline, courage, spirit and love.