Hero: Art Movie Reflection

Hero: Art Movie Reflection

1)    Hero is a very serious and thought-provoking movie; it contains no humor, which is usually found in movies made to please a mass-market audience. In addition, Hero lacks a distinct beginning, middle and end. It focuses, rather, on the thoughts (fabricated stories and real flashbacks) of Nameless and the King’s true and false suspicions of the stories he is told. The movie’s somewhat abstract storyline can result in initial confusion for the average viewer. Finally, Hero contains extremely surreal elements (such as lack of gravity and color changing scenes), which do not appear in box-office movies.

2)    I believe the director succeeded in making Hero an inclusive movie in several ways. Rather than crafting an extremely nonsensical plot, Zhang Yimou appeals to the logically minded (and Hollywood-accustomed) by creating a linear storyline (although each original story within the plot is re-told). In addition, he refrains from using too many strange effects (i.e. odd-looking or misplaced costumes, subjects or colors), focusing primarily on the beauty found in bodily movement and in small, everyday objects and situations (i.e. rain drops falling on metal).

3)    I absolutely loved this movie!! Ever since I can remember I have had a huge admiration for Asian culture, and specifically for martial arts (they take so much discipline and focus!). Previous to watching Hero, my idea of an art movie consisted of a frustratingly ludicrous string of ugly and unusual videos. I guess that icky stereotype was reinforced by the fact that I had only ever seen a few badly made, short art films. Hero, however, was incredibly different and beautiful. It really made me stop, think and appreciate how the human mind works in relation to the natural world around us.

4)    In the Golden Forest scene, the color yellow plays a huge role in enhancing the action sequences between Flying Snow and Broken Sword’s servant-girl. Aside from providing a beautiful and striking contrast between the red garments worn by both women, the dreamy color reflects Flying Snow’s inner sentiment; she does not wish to fight, having already slain Broken Sword herself. As the scene progresses, however, the color seems to take on a new energy. As Flying Snow concedes to the servant’s demand of combat, the bright leaves become her main weapon in destroying her enemy’s advances.