Synopsis
Zhang Yimou's 2002 martial arts epic that launched China's blockbuster era. Starring Jet Li and Tony Leung. Oscar-nominated, $177 million global box office.
Overview
Hero is a 2002 Chinese martial arts film directed by Zhang Yimou, starring Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Daoming, and Donnie Yen. Released on December 14, 2002, it is considered China's first true commercial blockbuster and is credited with launching the blockbuster era of Chinese cinema.
Set against the backdrop of the Qin State's unification of the Six States during the Warring States period, the film tells the story of the assassin Nameless (Jet Li) and the King of Qin (Chen Daoming) through multiple narrative perspectives.
Plot
During the Warring States period, the Qin State was the most powerful, continuously warring against the other six states. The Zhao state assassin Nameless (Jet Li),凭借 his extraordinary swordsmanship, had allegedly defeated the three most wanted assassins of Qin: Long Sky (Donnie Yen), Broken Sword (Tony Leung), and Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung). For this achievement, he was granted an audience with the King of Qin.
Before the King, Nameless recounted how he defeated each of the three assassins. However, the King of Qin saw through Nameless's story, deducing the truth: Broken Sword and Flying Snow were not killed by Nameless but fell due to their own internal conflict. Broken Sword had actually come to understand the necessity of unifying the realm and had abandoned his assassination plan.
Ultimately, Nameless chose to spare the King of Qin in the name of the greater good of all under heaven, and was executed by the Qin army's arrow barrage. The King unified the six states but forever lost the one person who understood his vision - Broken Sword.
Cast
| Role | Actor | Character Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nameless | Jet Li | A Zhao assassin with extraordinary swordsmanship |
| Broken Sword | Tony Leung | One of three master assassins who understands the greater good |
| Flying Snow | Maggie Cheung | One of three master assassins, Broken Sword's lover |
| Moon | Zhang Ziyi | Broken Sword's handmaid |
| King of Qin | Chen Daoming | The Qin ruler with a vision of unification |
| Long Sky | Donnie Yen | One of three master assassins, spear master |
Box Office and Awards
| Award/Record | Result |
|---|---|
| 75th Academy Awards - Best Foreign Language Film | Nominated |
| 60th Golden Globe Awards - Best Foreign Language Film | Nominated |
| TIME Magazine Top 10 Films of 2004 - #1 | Won |
| 2002 Chinese-Language Box Office Champion | 250 million RMB domestic |
| Global Box Office | 177 million USD |
Cultural Impact
Hero is considered the first true commercial blockbuster in Chinese cinema history. The film is renowned for its unique color aesthetics (four narrative segments told in red, blue, white, and green tones), spectacular martial arts choreography, and grand narrative scope. Although it initially faced criticism for style over substance, it is now widely regarded as a classic of Chinese cinema.
The film's visual style has had a profound influence on subsequent Chinese martial arts cinema, and its technique of using color to differentiate narrative perspectives was pioneering in Chinese filmmaking.
References
- Douban: https://movie.douban.com/subject/1306123/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/英雄/3827897
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299977/
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