The 94% RT Martial Arts Film Quentin Tarantino Called ‘an Absolute Masterpiece’

by

I’ve always admired this guy’s taste in action films – he consistently points me towards movies that really stick with you, and a lot of them are honestly legendary. There’s one in particular, *Hero* from 2002, that Quentin Tarantino – the director of *Kill Bill* – calls an absolute masterpiece. It’s the kind of beautifully crafted action film you just don’t see much of anymore; a real lost art.

The film *Hero* transports audiences to ancient China amidst a time of war, showcasing incredible, realistic fight choreography performed by world-class martial arts stars. While inspired by a true historical event, the story is told in a fresh and innovative way. Starring Jet Li and Donnie Yen, this action-packed period piece quickly became a beloved classic and was groundbreaking when it was first released.

Quentin Tarantino Called Hero A Masterpiece

Quentin Tarantino is a huge fan of martial arts films. He’s so passionate about the genre that he once dedicated two and a half hours to discussing it on a podcast and even wrote short reviews of his favorite movies for the New Beverly Cinema website. When Tarantino calls a film a masterpiece, it carries significant weight, and he considers the movie *Hero* to be just that. In a 2004 interview, he explained, “People know that if I like a martial arts movie, then it’s got to be good,” and he was proud to help bring a subtitled version of *Hero* to audiences. Released in 2002, *Hero* is a visually stunning historical drama that reimagines a famous assassination attempt in ancient China. Set during a period of war and unification, the film tells the story of an anonymous warrior who initially sets out to kill the King of Qin but ultimately changes his mind after a meeting. Instead of completing his mission, the warrior spares the king’s life, leaving a lasting impression and a valuable lesson.

Zhang Yimou’s martial arts film, starring Jet Li, made history as the first Chinese-language movie to reach number one at the U.S. box office. It was also nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2003. Celebrated for its beautiful imagery and compelling story, the film is considered a landmark achievement in the wuxia genre. Unlike many recent martial arts movies, it truly focused on the skill and artistry of the fighting itself. Films like *John Wick* and *Nobody*, while featuring creative action, primarily use fight scenes to advance the plot. They don’t emphasize the martial arts as an art form in the same way.

The film *Hero* delivers realistic martial arts action to the cinema. A lot of effort went into creating memorable characters, each a unique Kung Fu master with their own special fighting style and weapon. For example, Donnie Yen’s character, Sky, fights with a spear, and the movie highlights how his spear skills combine with the power of Qi to create incredible moves rarely seen in action films. Maggie Cheung’s character, Flying Snow, is equally impressive, wielding a sword called the Phoenix Feather with a beautiful but deadly style. Tony Leung Chiu-wai plays Broken Sword, a master who believes true skill comes from mental focus and practices calligraphy. One stunning fight scene featuring his character takes place on a lake, where the fighters run across the water’s surface.

Wow, this movie is something special. The lead character pulls off unbelievable feats – I mean, he can literally dismantle complex plans while simultaneously catching water droplets with his sword! While the effects aren’t *perfect* by today’s standards, you barely notice. Honestly, *Hero* feels like a timeless classic. It’s not just the incredible action, but the way the story is told. The film presents three different accounts of how our hero, Nameless, won over three deadly assassins. First, he claims he defeated Sky in a battle of wits. Then, he explains how he played Broken Sword and Flying Snow off each other, using their rivalry to eliminate them both. But the emperor isn’t buying it! He reveals *his* version of events, which is surprisingly close to the truth. The only difference? Broken Sword didn’t want revenge; he tried to persuade Nameless to join the emperor and bring peace to the warring kingdoms. It’s a fascinating twist that really makes you think.

Hero Takes A Creative Approach To A Famous Assassination

Watching this film felt like witnessing a high-stakes game of chess. It wasn’t about *what* happened, but *how* it happened. I knew from the start that Nameless was capable of killing the King of Qin – he had the skill at every turn – but he consistently chose not to. That created so much tension for me! The King, too, played his part. He could have easily called for guards, but he knew that would likely be a death sentence. It was incredible to watch him confront Nameless, even knowing his own life was on the line. He saw through Nameless’s deception, and their conversation led to an outcome that genuinely surprised even Nameless himself. It wasn’t about multiple retellings of the story, but the choices these two men made, and the peace they ultimately found, that really resonated with me.

The movie uses a complex “story within a story” format, constantly re-examining and questioning the narrative. Instead of presenting a single, definitive truth, it offers multiple perspectives. This is visually reinforced through distinct costumes and color palettes for each version of the story, a departure from traditional storytelling where a narrator presents events as absolute fact. *Hero* is a truly original film that breaks from convention in many ways, and its emotional resonance is particularly noteworthy. The central conflict stems from Broken Sword’s dilemma: he initially aimed to aid Flying Snow in killing the King of Qin to avenge her father, but his own principles prevented him. However, saving the emperor meant going against Flying Snow’s wishes. Their fundamentally different political beliefs made conflict inevitable.

When I first watched this film, I saw the main couple as just a pair of unhappy people torn apart by jealousy and typical love triangle issues. But on a second viewing, their incredible devotion and loyalty to each other really stood out. That final scene – Broken Sword laying down his sword to Flying Snow, even knowing it would cost him his life – was incredibly powerful. The fact that they died together, finally united, is something that’s stuck with me ever since, and that’s what makes the movie so magical. Honestly, there isn’t a single dull moment. From the breathtaking fight between Sky and Nameless to Nameless’s decision to spare the emperor, *Hero* is…

As a fan, what really struck me about *Hero* was how much of the incredible action was done by Donnie Yen and Jet Li themselves – very little use of stunt doubles! Both are legendary martial artists, and it shows. They actually worked together on *Once Upon a Time in China 2* years before, so they had a great chemistry and a real understanding of each other’s skills. Donnie Yen mentioned in an interview that when they first met, they were much more competitive, trying to prove themselves. But by the time they filmed *Hero*, it was a true collaboration. He said they found they had a lot in common, but also very different styles, and you can really see that in their fight choreography. It’s rare to see such authentic martial arts mastery on screen, and *Hero* really delivers that – it’s something you don’t often see in action movies these days.

Read More

2025-10-06 03:42