Hero (2002)
The pinnacle of Chinese cinematography.
Presentation:
Christopher Doyle teams up with Zhang Yimou to create one of the most visually spectacular film of all time. The scale, color and costume design are probably one of the most impressive presentations on par with Lawrence of Arabia and Bladerunner 2049. It would be considered one of the greatest films even in such a competitive decade were it made in Hollywood, but the story is wholehearted Chinese to its core and western audiences will find themselves scratching their head unable to grasp the plot and it’s meaning. Even for Chinese audiences, this film will likely feel overly poetic, which is a recurring sin for many Chinese films. The color for each section is varied and bold, the reds in particular are so rich and will stay in your memory long after the credits roll. The fight choreography is great, and there is a decent balance between action and drama, however the grandness of the film creates a somewhat cold, detached mood that makes it difficult to emotionally connect with the characters.
Conclusion:
One of China’s proudest presentations in cinema. You’ll likely be hypnotized by the sheer striking beauty. The images should stay in your mind, but you likely won’t be able to recall what transpired or the meaning of it all due to the elusive symbolism. This film is unapologetically a flex, focusing more on visual cinema than storytelling. It’s not that there isn’t a complex story, but it feels shallow when the characters don’t feel developed and are rather mindless pawns whose sole purpose is to serve as metaphors. But even if the soul is lacking, you’ll still be blown away.
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Recommendations
Cinematography as sharp as samurai steel.