SWG Tales

In my second Quentin Tarantino mention today....

Contrary to popular notion the movie Hero, starring martial arts phenom Jet Li is not a new movie. I personally saw it first about 2 years ago via my Chinese friend's DVD pipeline. However, due to lack of interest from any major American distributor, Hero stayed mainly in the East and it's cult following slowly built up pressure here in the West.

That lack of interest changed, partially due to the success of 2001's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The western bigs took notice and Tarantino championed Hero for American distribution.

And what a good move because in my opinion the movie is stunning.

It looks beautiful, the story is strong, the acting is powerful, romance is profound, and the fight scenes are magnificent. After you see it you'll not soon forget it. If you liked Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon you will like Hero ( I HATE using the cliche' movie plug lines, but in this case it really fits).

No spoliers but there's a sword fight in the rain...gahh! You gotta see it.

Also keep in mind that this movie was made years ago. Not that the style will be dated but if you see some effects and think "Oh, well they took that from X" it's probably the other way around. If you want to see what effects will be mined for "hotness" in America a few years from now watch the Hong Kong movie industry today. The Wachowski Brothers (Matrix) took it all the way to the bank.

Big ups to "Marco Polo" Tarantino for bringing Hero across the trade routes.

p.s. If you do not like the movie I will send Jet Li to your house and he will thunderkick you in the colon.

I saw it the other day, I really liked it. And it did remind me a lot of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon...at least the soundtrack did. Themes in the melodies were very similar. The stories were very different and I think it was a very different movie, but regardless it was a very lovely one to look at and I enjoyed it a lot.

*Cancels Jet Li's plane ticket to Birmingham*

Keer wrote:*Cancels Jet Li's plane ticket to Birmingham*

What? What'd I say? I liked it!!!

Dwilah wrote:

Keer wrote:*Cancels Jet Li's plane ticket to Birmingham*

What? What'd I say? I liked it!!!

Yes, that's why the ticket was canceled. He was just on "standby" He's not coming.

Code Topaz. Go on about your normal daily business. Go to work. Go to the mall. Go out to dinner.

I have a copy on DVD that I purchased last weekend. I have to say that film was gorgeous. Well done, and props to Mr. Tarantino for dropping some dough and brining this movie to the states for everyone here to enjoy. I hope its gets an Oscar nod.

It already did...it won best foreign file last year.

It did? I don't remember seeing that.

Ah well, GOOD! It deserved it!

Now.... who's seen Shoalin Soccer?

Seret Sajet wrote:It did? I don't remember seeing that.

Ah well, GOOD! It deserved it!

Now.... who's seen Shoalin Soccer?

I HAVE Shaolin Soccer AND Hero (thanks to you mugs for Hero).

And I love them both. I think I have to agree with Zannon (from a phone call we had) that CTHD has a bit of a better storyline overall, but I really love the imagery and wire work in Hero a LOT better. Even the storytelling I like better. It's an innovative (if not Tarantino-esque) way to get a story across.

Zannon wrote:It already did...it won best foreign file last year.

Why? Because everybody traded it on Kazaa?

Jabe