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Hero, Unleashed in All Aspects Hero was a multi-awarded film with a great production design and superb cinematography supported by professional musical scoring and detailed sets, props and costumes. The film was released by Elite Group Enterprises, Inc. together with Miramax Films in 2002 and was produced by Zhang Yimou Studio Production. The screenplay was a collaborative effort of three renowned Chinese writers: Li Feng, Wang Bin and Zhang Yimou; the latter also directed the film as well as heads the production part of the outfit. Over 2000 years ago before the reign of the first emperor, ancient China was divided into seven kingdoms.
Qin, the king of the northern province, is the most powerful of these warring factions and is waging a bloody campaign to conquer and unite the entire land. His political maneuvers have earned the ire and wrath of the rest and served as the unifying factor for the other six kingdoms. As a consequence, the other kingdoms have made constant attempts and plots to assassinate him, thus putting Qin in a permanent position of danger. The most ferocious of these would-be assassins are the three Wu Xia masters: spear-wielding Sky, and the lovers Broken Sword and Flying Snow. When a minor official known as Nameless defeated Qin's three principal enemies, he is summoned to the palace to personally, recount in the presence of Qin the story of his surprising conquest. It was also expected that he is to collect his rewards from the king plus enjoy some benefits accorded only to the braves.
After he narrated his victorious tale, the King (a master strategist himself) noticed some flaws and recognized the inconsistencies within Nameless's story. He presented his own theory how the three strong Wu Xia warriors connived with Nameless so they can be defeated. An because he is honorable, Nameless did not counter the Kings theory but rather decided to divulge the truth, his mission and goal. The film started not with an opening credits but with a text account recounting the background of Ancient Chinas political situation followed by the scene where Nameless using the voice-over technique, introduced himself. He also stated the reason why he was summoned and will be given a heros welcome in the palace of Qin. The first few scene sequences established the pace and unfolding of the plot.
It also brought the viewers to the exact time and place where the story is happening and focuses their attention to the particular segment in an otherwise long historic struggles of the seven Chinese kingdoms. The most important and moving sequence in the film is when the soldiers and the Kings court are calling for the King to give the signal to execute Nameless after his aborted attempt to kill Qin. The tension is palpable, almost tangible as Qin tried to choose between upholding the law of the kingdom and therefore putting the assassin to death and preserving the life of that one person who understands what he is trying to say and knows what is hidden in his heart but at the same time losing the respect and his authority over his kingdom. Two other important sequences are the fight initiated by Flying Snow between herself and her lover, Broken Sword. The actions and sacrifices they made magnify the love and loyalty ingrained in the hearts of these lovers.
The other is the sequence where Nameless decided not to kill the King and walked out of the crown room. This particular sequence highlighted the tension plays within the emotions of the Kings Court, Nameless and Qin, himself. One notable sequence is the gradual approach towards the King granted to Nameless as a reward for all his heroic actions. It emphasized the vulnerability of the King and that the dangers that are fatal to him are not those that lurks in the dark but rather those that comes within his milieu.
Another that needs mentioning is the mental fight between Sky and Nameless. This particular part brings the viewer into the scene of the fight and gives them a glimpse of the intensity of both warriors. Everything that appears and unfold before the camera and the arrangement sets, props, actors, costumes, and lighting including the positioning and movement of actors on the set (this is referred to as mise en scene) contributed to total effect and fulfillment of the film. The whole lot, even the minutest detail, gave off an immense assistance in bringing about the intend message of the film. Foremost of the various cinematography techniques employed in the film which enhanced the unfolding of the plot is the narrative pattern employed by the screenplay writers. By using the two major characters point of view in narrating what supposed to have happened, the viewers were given a broad and clear perspective of what is happening as well as the main characters personal views and feelings about the event.
This was further strengthen by the artistic use of colors which gives the delineation between the different accounts given about how the lesser official of Qin's kingdom, Nameless, was able to defeat three masterful fighters. The colors gave the mood and the tone of the narrative as well as impart an important message of how each recounting affects the storyteller -- - ferocious red for Nameless planned but flawed tale; astute blue for the Kings perceptive theory of what possibly happen; pure white for Nameless second and honest recounting of what truly happened as he knows it, and; courageous green for Broken Swords dauntless and edifying revelation of his version of the truth. The flashbacks foster the revelation of each of the main characters actions and motivations -- - Nameless, for the hurts and sufferings he endured while growing up; Sky, because he is a friend to Nameless and they share a similar goal; Flying Snow, for the atonement of her fathers death, and; Broken Sword, for the love and security that he longs for in the home and arms of his lover. With this technique, viewers were able to identify the purpose of each characters action, the cause that they are fighting for and the motivation that impels them to plan and further the course of action they want to pursue. The culmination of the collective effort of the three central characters -- - Nameless, Flying Snow and Broken Sword was given a dramatic emphasis with the use of the parallel action technique. By crosscutting between the action happening in the palace where Nameless confronted the King and was in turn challenged by the Kings men and the tragedy unfolding in the mountains between the lovers, the tale of how these three characters meet their ends was given an enormous impact and meaning.
The implementation of the technique was a unifying element that affected the films delivery of the heroes valiant and chivalrous but tragic ends. There were also symbolic use of objects in the film which help in the over all effect and importance. Notable of which is the calligraphy of the word sword, the object was used as both a means to get to know Broken Sword as well as a symbol of what they are all trying to achieve. The articulation of the particular perception was voiced by the King yet it started with Nameless and Broken Sword.
The calligraphy is the symbol for the three courageous and honorable men who were divided in terms of their quest for peace yet found out that the combination of intelligence, skills and courage is the culmination of their goals. The soundtrack of the film further helped to reveal emotions, nuances and subtle covert actions that the pictures and images cannot clearly visualize. The soundtrack was most especially helpful in the fight sequences because it augments and magnifies the meaning of the visuals presented. They intensify and embellish the visual images to transmit clearly the message of the film. The musical scoring played an essential part in conveying the theme as well as the pacing of the film.
One particular instance was the musical scoring used in the sequence where Sky and Nameless where mentally fighting each other. It heightens the intense emotions and tension felt by both fighters. The musical scoring also placed dimension on the film as it introduces one sequence to another or as it terminates a particular scene. It was utilized to amplify the drama, rouse pressure, augment stress, signify an action or an intention and sometimes even disorient the viewers. The overall effect of the musical scoring heightens the visual images as well as reinforce the thematic image of the film. In totality the shots were magnificently executed specially the close-up shots, pan shot, pull-back shots, long shots and the tracking shots used in the fight scenes.
Of equal importance are the reaction shots that abound in the sequences. The dramatic long shot in the death sequence of Flying Snow and Broken Sword gave an awesome presentation of their all encompassing love and loyalty to each other. The artistic editing done on the film allowed for a continuous flow of one action to another without the jarring affects one usually encounter especially if flashback is employed. The shots were well put together and everything contributed to the total artistic presentation of the film. The montage at the end of the film gave the viewers the sense of closure and completion of an otherwise complex and loose ending. The style eliminated any disunity that might have risen because of the nature of the plot.
The concluding sequence is a comment about the Kings ability and capacity to lead his people that eventually helped him create a dynasty the first ever known in China. The title, Hero (Ying Xiong), conveys the inner strength of character possessed not only by the fearless hero, Nameless but also of the three Wu Xia warriors especially Broken Sword and the ruler, Qin. Each of the main characters in the film is hailed a hero in his own way. Everyone gave up something in return for the culmination of the collective dream. In the end both parties, the assassins and the target specifically Nameless, Broken Sword and Qin, came to a point where they realized and recognized the valor, courage, dignity and character of each other.
Although the ending does not quell the viewers hankering for a joyful conclusion, the film was able to impart a message of hope for the downtrodden and a sense of justice for everyone. Works Cited Zhang Yimou Studio Production, (producer). Zhang Yimou, (director). Hero (Ying Xiong) [Film]. (Available from Elite Group Enterprises, Inc. in collaboration with Miramax Films), 2002.
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