Directed by Zhang Yimou, Hero (2002) is a masterpiece of the "wuxia" genre of Chinese martial arts films, and was, at the time of it's release, the most expensive production in Chinese film history. Although released overseas in 2002, the film languished for a couple years before being "presented" to Western audiences by Quentin Tarantino through Miramax Pictures. Full of visual splendor, amazing effects, beautiful cinematography, fantastic fight scenes and a smart, thoroughly compelling storyline, Hero is pitch-perfect from beginning to end. It is loosely based on the ancient tale of the assassination attempt on the King of Qin in 227 B.C. The whole cast is great, including Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Chen Daoming, Zhang Ziyi and Donnie Yen.
