The creation of a compelling action movie is a complex dance. From meticulously choreographed fight scenes to high-speed car chases and explosive shootouts, every element requires meticulous planning and rehearsal. A skilled director must master the art of blocking, shooting, and editing action sequences to maximize their impact.
Action cinema has evolved for over a century, with directors constantly pushing boundaries to outdo their predecessors and enthrall audiences. But amidst this relentless pursuit of innovation, few action films have achieved the pinnacle of technical and aesthetic brilliance like
Hero
, released in the US 20 years ago this week.Directed by the visionary Zhang Yimou,
Hero
is a dazzling tapestry of vibrant, monochromatic martial arts sequences, executed with unparalleled precision. Featuring a cast of China’s most celebrated actors, it’s a symphony of movement and seamless editing, captivating viewers with its breathtaking fluidity.Drawing inspiration from real historical events,
Hero
takes us to the Warring States Period, when China was divided into seven kingdoms. The story follows Nameless (Jet Li), a master swordsman granted an audience with the King of Qin (Chen Daoming), who is on a relentless quest to unify China under his rule.Nameless claims to have defeated and killed three warriors who attempted to assassinate the King: Broken Sword (Tony Leung), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), and Long Sky (Donnie Yen). But the King is not easily convinced.
Hero
unfolds as a captivating narrative tapestry, showcasing Nameless’ account of the events, the King’s own suspicions, and ultimately, the truth – a blend of both perspectives.The film’s five chapters are not merely separated by their narrative purpose; Yimou and legendary cinematographer Christopher Doyle visually distinguish them with striking monochromatic color schemes.
Nameless’ encounter with the King and his rain-drenched duel with Long Sky are shrouded in dark hues of black and gray, while another version of Nameless’ confrontation with Broken Sword and Flying Snow bursts forth in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. Yet another chapter is steeped in a somber blue, reflecting the emotional weight of the narrative.
This simple yet powerful stylistic choice elevates
Hero
above the realm of ordinary action films. It’s a thriller that embraces a maximalist aesthetic, its alternating color schemes igniting the senses with an unparalleled visual intensity.The evolving color palette is more than just a stylistic flourish. The predominantly red segment, for example, reflects Broken Sword and Flying Snow’s consuming emotions of betrayal, jealousy, and heartbreak. Conversely, the white and green sections portray them as warriors driven by love, determination, unity, and spiritual and political aspirations.
This deliberate color-coding beautifully complements the film’s subject matter. It makes intuitive sense for a retelling of China’s unification to be a film composed of such distinctly different parts.
While
Hero’s
lighting and color scheme are mesmerizing, its true power lies in its electrifying martial arts sequences. Every action set piece, from Nameless and Long Sky’s jaw-dropping first-act duel to Broken Sword and Nameless’ battle across a tranquil lake, is exquisitely choreographed and edited.Yimou masterfully employs long, unbroken wide shots, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the beauty and complexity of the action choreography. He strategically inserts close-ups to highlight the force of each blow and the impact of the battles on the surrounding environment. Witness the fluttering green banners that punctuate one showdown or the close-ups of hands splashing against water that accentuate another.
The film’s stylistic peak is reached with the death of a character, marked by the sudden transformation of falling leaves from yellow to blood red.
Hero’s
fight scenes are a seamless blend of fluidity and destructiveness. The warriors possess the power to manipulate nature’s elements, soaring on the wind and unleashing tornadoes of leaves that send their enemies flying. This blend of power and destruction underscores the film’s captivating balance between beauty and devastation.Hero
is a musical of violence, a series of highly choreographed dances set to the rhythmic pounding of war drums. There are moments, like the two dueling close-ups as Leung and Daoming’s characters soar through the air, that makeHero
feel like the ultimate live-action anime film.Even after two decades,
Hero
continues to amaze. Its power transcends words and images, demanding to be watched and experienced firsthand. It’s a film that repeatedly blows you away while simultaneously electrifying your senses.With the help of his talented cast and crew, Yimou raised the bar for action cinema, showcasing the transformative power of color, editing, blocking, and choreography to create action sequences that defy expectations and leave audiences breathless.
