Hero: The only Jet Li movie I might ever watch

Well, the opening says it all. This is probably the only Jet Li movie that I actually sat through and watched it all the way. The dude is supposed to be a gifted martial arts man, even better than Bruce Lee in many matters. But, he has done some amazingly stupid movies until now and I have ignored most of it. Though I had to go to the movie theater and sit through the movie I still enjoyed it very much. I doubt that had much to do with his acting, because the director definitely knows how to make movies and Jet Li is not the main focus like his other movies.

Though the movie is marketed in the martial arts (sort of fictitious, out-of-this-world genre) it definitely bears its roots in reality. The premise of the story is very good though it is far-fetched in the real world. But, the essence of the idea is brought forward beautifully. It takes me to a time when things such as loyalty, sacrifice and friendship are the qualities that define a person's reputation.

The gist of it is that Jet Li is a great warrior who has perfected his art for one and only reason, to kill the emperor of his kingdom. Jet Li was born to parents from a neighboring kingdom whose warriors have been fighting the king's armies all their lives. There are 3 great warriors of his time, Sky, Flying Snow and Brokensword, who have tried and failed! He consults with them and hatches a plan to get close to the king and kill him. He has perfected an art of fighting where he cannot miss his target if it is within 10ft of his body.

This plan brings him to 10ft of the king and that is where the story is told and that is where all the twists and turns in the story happen. Its rather exciting and I would advise any first time viewer to not miss any parts. Preferably don't be distracted by others and try to imagine that you are a spectator inside the story. Once you do that, the director transports you to a magical era and place where you can just sit back and watch these great warriors and their stories unfold.

The end has a wonderful message to it and I would definitely recommend this movie for people of all ages. This is a good story though not a great one. But, it can definitely compete with the likes of LOTR and other fantasy movies. Some parts of the story such as the premise of the Qin dynasty and so forth are actually part of real history. So, this makes for a fascinating little story in the larger scheme of things.

Will definitely give 4.5/5 stars.