Hero

Movie review by Liz Perle, Common Sense Media
Hero Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Gorgeous martial arts movie for older kids.

PG-13 2004 99 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 10 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What 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.

Community Reviews

jmo97
jmo97 Adult
June 22, 2016
age 15+

Complex, interesting ideas and themes take a while to process and think through

Though the acting feels a bit sub-par, the story is very intriguing, and mature teens may have interesting discussions with parents about the "Heroes" of the story and how their actions and intentions affect each other. The cinematography is gorgeous, and the fight scenes are IMPRESSIVELY filmed, in that fantasy, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" type of fight scene (if you've seen that other film, you know what I refer to). There is one sexual scene, but it's brief, non-graphic, and mostly under covers. The violence is not too intense, but there are some disturbing images of bodies shot with arrows, and stabbings. I haven't even fully processed this film, but this makes me want to see it again to understand it more. 7.2/10

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
HeroneSilverton
HeroneSilverton Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

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.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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?

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 10-year-old said, "It doesn't have a clear plot, but it does have a clear moral."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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.

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love action and adventure

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