Hero (PG-13)

Gorgeous martial arts movie for older kids.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Miramax, Miramax
  • Directed By: Zhang Yimou
  • Cast: Jet Li
  • Running Time: 99 minutes
  • Release Date: 08/27/2004
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 11/30/2004
  • Genre: Action/adventure
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: stylized martial arts violence and a scene of sensuality

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this mature movie is a meditation on the nature of heroism, the purpose of violence, and what it takes to live in peace. So if you go expecting Jackie Chan, your kids will be mystified. Kids younger than 12 are going to find the circular nature of the narrative very confusing since the story is told four different times in four different versions. Also, unlike Crouching Tiger, there's a lot of talking in the movie, which means a lot of subtitles. Unless you want someone tugging on your arm saying "What did he say?" we suggest teens and up age wise. There's one naked tush in the beginning, and a woman has her clothes ripped off in a lovemaking scene but otherwise, the only concern is the swordplay and the occasional blood.

Families can talk about why the movie told the same story four different ways and why the nameless hero does what he does in the end. Also, this movie is an excellent springboard to talk about what it took to make the modern nation states we have today.

Message

Social Behavior:

Ultimately it's about principles.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

This is a martial arts film, it's gorgeous but it's all about the fighting.

Sex

One bare bottom and one scene where a woman's clothes are ripped off (but you don't see anything).

Language

It's all subtitled.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Liz Perle

Set in a time before the unification of China, HERO follows the story of a nameless warrior (martial arts star Jet Li) who plans to assassinate the ruthless ruler of the kingdom of Qin. He tells the king he has killed the king's three most feared enemies -- Sky, Snow, and Broken Sword -- but the king doesn't believe his story. Three further flashback stories ensue in scenes accented with reds, whites, blues and greens.

Is it any good?

4
Hero is a very sophisticated movie. It's not Jackie Chan or even Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon but a serious meditation on the nature of heroism. This may be one of the most beautiful movies ever shot.

There is some blood, a good deal of suspense and, in what is guaranteed to confuse younger kids, "nameless" tells four different versions of the story to the king. As one ten-year-old said, "It doesn't have a clear plot, but it does have a clear moral."

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

4


Posted on 10/05/07 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Beautiful movie

The places in which the scenes take place are simply beautiful. There is good action, and lots of it. The only setback is that the entire movie is in Japanese and you must read the dialogue. This does not bother most people, but some would rather watch something where they don't have to use their brains. If that is you, you will have a hard time enjoying this movie.
4


Posted on 11/03/06 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 13

Beautifully Made

Hero is excellent eye candy, with great colorful visuals and some very well made action scenes. I liked Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Fearless alot better, but this is still a good film.
1


Posted on 10/10/06 by whovian85 Adult contributor

See below

An overrated, artistic, overblown, turd. It's just Oscar bait.
2


Posted on 12/17/05 by ViolinPlaya650 Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 02/27/05 by God_of_shadows Kid contributor, age 14

An extraordinarily beautiful martial arts epic with a great score

"Hero" is much, much better than Crouching Tiger in every possible way. Watch it and you'll see what I mean.
4


Posted on 02/12/05 by jake Kid contributor, age 13

Really Good

Not only was there some cool martial arts stuff, the story was great too

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

4


Posted on 10/05/07 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Beautiful movie

The places in which the scenes take place are simply beautiful. There is good action, and lots of it. The only setback is that the entire movie is in Japanese and you must read the dialogue. This does not bother most people, but some would rather watch something where they don't have to use their brains. If that is you, you will have a hard time enjoying this movie.
1


Posted on 10/10/06 by whovian85 Adult contributor

See below

An overrated, artistic, overblown, turd. It's just Oscar bait.

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

4


Posted on 11/03/06 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 13

Beautifully Made

Hero is excellent eye candy, with great colorful visuals and some very well made action scenes. I liked Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Fearless alot better, but this is still a good film.
2


Posted on 12/17/05 by ViolinPlaya650 Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 02/27/05 by God_of_shadows Kid contributor, age 14

An extraordinarily beautiful martial arts epic with a great score

"Hero" is much, much better than Crouching Tiger in every possible way. Watch it and you'll see what I mean.
4


Posted on 02/12/05 by jake Kid contributor, age 13

Really Good

Not only was there some cool martial arts stuff, the story was great too
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