Hi-Yah!

Three recent kung fu movies have received excellent praises from critics and audience in the US. They are "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Hero", and "House of Flying Daggers". Guess which one is the real McCoy and the only one I'd recommend?

As a Thai kid grew up in Bangkok, I, just like many boys in the city, was addicted to reading Japanese anime and watching kung fu movies from China or Hong Kong and reading the kung fu stories. Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" perfectly represents what I'd imagined while reading those stories. Lee was serious when he said that he intended to direct this film based on his experience and understanding, watching/reading the genre.

"House of Flying Daggers" started out great with a promising plot, breathtaking fight scenes and beautiful landscapes. Unfortunately, the movie took a turn for the worst once it decided to abandon all other aspects of the film and turned into an uninspired, sappy love triangle movie. The issues were left unresolved and I was left with a disappointment of another movie with great potential but couldn't deliver.

"Hero" is a camera work extravaganza and that's about all it has to offer. It's something nice to look at for about 10 minutes and then you start to think - Okee Dokee, let's see some plot or acting or something. Then by the end of the film, it will make you want to scream - how many more times do I have to see Broken Sword and Flying Snow get friggin' killed?

"Hero" is pretentious and fragmented. Its plot is boring and uninventive. What a waste of one of the most beautiful cinematography works I've ever seen.