"Absolute Masterpiece": Tarantino Praised This 94%-Rated Martial Arts Gem Above All Others
This film is more than just a story about swords and warriors – it is a profound meditation on sacrifice, duty, and perception of truth, expressed through stunning visual poetry.
Quentin Tarantino's passion for martial arts movies is well-known among his fans. He can spend hours discussing the genre's intricacies, and his recommendations are considered by many to set the highest standard of quality.
This is precisely the assessment Tarantino gave Zhang Yimou's epic wuxia masterpiece – Hero.
Quentin Tarantino Had Nothing but Praise for 'Hero'
When Hero was released internationally in 2004, Tarantino made no secret of his admiration. The director said:
"People know that if I like a martial arts movie, then it's got to be good, and I think Hero is an absolute masterpiece,"
He had so much respect for the movie that he personally facilitated its release outside Asia by allowing the phrase "Presented by Quentin Tarantino" to be used in the advertising campaign:
"Miramax agreed to bring out a subtitled version if it included 'Quentin Tarantino Presents' in the title. I'm proud to be a part of this amazing work."
What Is 'Hero' About?
The movie is set in ancient China, which is torn apart by civil strife. An emperor who seeks to unite the country under his rule becomes the target of three legendary mercenaries: Broken Sword, Flying Snow, and Long Sky.
A mysterious warrior, Nameless, volunteers to confront them. He arrives at the emperor's court not only to protect him, but also to recount his duels with the fearsome assassins.
'Hero' Is Often Unfairly Overshadowed by Other Wuxia Movies Like 'House of Flying Daggers'
Despite its worldwide acclaim, Hero often finds itself in the shadow of better-known wuxia films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers.
Yet, it was Zhang Yimou's movie that brought the wuxia genre to the global stage in the early 2000s.
Hero captivates viewers with its poetic beauty, philosophical depth, emphasis on aesthetics, and with the fact that each fight scene here is a carefully choreographed ballet-like dance.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Hero'?
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Hero has 94% from critics and 87% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.9/10.
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On Letterboxd, Hero is scored 4.0/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Hero'?
Hero is available to stream on Peacock, or you can rent/buy it on Apple TV.
