Today’s quick review: Hero. At the turn of the 20th century, Ma Wing Jing (Kaneshiro Takeshi) and his brother Tai Cheung (Yuen Wah) make their way from the country to Shanghai in search of better prospects. Wing Jing’s ambition and martial arts prowess soon catch the attention of crime kingpin Tam See (Yuen Biao), who takes the young man under his wing. But power comes with a cost, and Wing Jing soon finds himself surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Hero is a Chinese crime drama and martial arts movie with a dash of comedy mixed in. The film follows Ma Wing Jing as he climbs from day laborer to one of Tam See’s closest allies and friends. Along the way, he faces the machinations of rival gangster Yang Shaung (Yuen Tak); the dubious attentions of Yam Yeung Tien (Valerie Chow), Tam See’s ex-lover; and a budding romance with Kim Ling Tze (Hsuan Jessica Hester), an enchanting singer.
Hero winds up being a mishmash of different tones and plot threads. The core of the movie is crime drama, charting Wing Jing’s role in the struggle between Tam See and Yang Shaung for control of Shanghai. But Hero never delves too deeply into the logistics or the morality of Wing Jing’s criminal career. Instead it bounces haphazardly between his ambitions, his romantic life, a touch of action, and a smattering of comedy.
Unfortunately, Hero is not especially skilled at any of these. The action is hurt by choppy, close camerawork, and what imagination it has largely goes to waste. The plot misses a few opportunities by skimming over the details of Wing Jing’s rise, and its breakneck pacing hurts the film’s attempts at drama. The comedy actually does hit the mark a fair amount of the time, but it tends to be wedged awkwardly between more serious moments.
The end result is a spirited but eclectic watch that lacks the skill to make its story, action, and humor work together. Those who don’t mind a little unnevenness may want to give it a shot for some honest and varied fun. But those hoping to be impressed by the film’s story, comedy, or action will want to give it a miss. For a more compelling tale of criminal enterprise, try Chasing the Dragon. For a better martial arts comedy, try Kung Fu Hustle.
6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for modest potential lacking the consistency to be effective.