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A Man Called Hero [1999]
![A Man Called Hero [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AVHKNC7TL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £17.99
Our Price: £6.17 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
An example of Hong Kong action cinema at its most mainstream, A Man Called Hero owes perhaps more to the films of Steven Segal than it does those of John Woo. The tale of a mythical hero who borders on the status of superhero, the film is stripped of any potential credibility by some of the most appalling dubbing ever seen at the cinema. While the original Chinese cast may inject the movie with passion, their American voice-over replacements obviously never made it past the sincere section of acting class. Each line is delivered with such false earnestness that the film sounds like a cross between Days of Our Lives and an episode of Pokémon. No cinematic cliché is left untouched, suggesting that this is not just a case of something lost in the translation but just a bad film... in anybody's language. The world-wide success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has proved that there is a huge market for original Eastern cinema, even more reason to avoid the pointless rehashing of the worst of Hollywood that A Man Called Hero undoubtedly is. --Phil Udell
a man called greatness
Review date: 2003-05-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
just to start of with,for any yuen biao fans,he's in this film for a short role.i love this film.i'm becoming a huge ekin cheng fan and the first film i saw him in was return to a better tomorrow and then stormriders(buy them thy're both excellent films)and from then on i loved both ekin cheng and aaron kwok.his sword play is fantastic and as soon as you see your first ekin cheng film there's no turning back,you'll be collecting every one of his films.
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Reviews
A Disappointment
Review date: 2002-04-15 Rating: 4 out of 10
After seeing Stormriders i was eager to see this film and had high expectations, but unfortunately I was let down. The special are effects are decent and the story had real potential, but alas the final product just didnt work. There is very little actual martial arts in the film, there's too much concentration on the special effects and the acting leaves a lot to be desired. If you're looking for a decent martial arts flick then try Twin Warriors (amazing to say the least). Anyone who has seen Stormriders and hasn't seen Hero, then unless you want to be disappointed, don't see it.
A man called Hero - review
Review date: 2001-11-21 Rating: 8 out of 10
Amusing Kung-Fu Action drama, stylish fight scenes and fantastic special effects. This film is good from begining to end, and has some classic scenes, the Kung-Fu masters and their Samuri Sword, manipulation of water fight has to be seen to be believed. Classic film, and lots of fun!!
original version
Review date: 2001-10-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
I have only seen this movie in its original, undubbed version. Excellent. At school I was fortunate enough to read the comics upon which this film is based, and to which it is highly faithful. I enjoyed the epic feel of the film, built up through the use of flash backs from various characters all tell of their experiences in dealing with the main character, who has disappeared for over a decade.
Great stuff. Though definately not one to buy dubbed.
Incidentally, the comic book artist who wrote a vast percentage of the stories on which the film is based went on to form his own company, and write a series called 'Wind-Cloud', that was later made into a film called 'Stormriders'. His visual style borrows heavily from DC comics, and you can see that in the both films.
A man called "Mediocre"
Review date: 2001-07-07 Rating: 6 out of 10
"A man Called Hero" is a strange sort of movie. The story doesn't make sense, Much of the actors talents are wasted, Bad martial arts choreography and digital FX overused. I applaud the Chinese effects team to use CGI trickery to recreate the 1920's era. CGI is used for practical ends. On the other hand though, their use of CGI during the fights are incredibly bad. It works in a film like "Storm Riders" cause it set in an almost fairy tale like ancient China. In this film its awkward and out of place. During the fights they should have kept the lights and fire effects at a minimum. Is it to cover up the bad martial arts fighting? The story raises so many questions throughout the movie but doesn't even bother to answer any of them. The movie seems incomplete because of that. The makers should have spend more time on making a good script in stead of showing of their Digital FX. Is it a bad movie? No. It is mediocre at best. Hong Kong's "The Mummy Returns" if you will. I do get the feeling the makers did try to make something new and different. It just got lost somewhere. Still recommended. This is a film you should see and make up your own mind.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Kristy Yang
Ekin Cheng
Qi Shu
Biao Yuen
Nicholas Tse
Creators:
Ekin Cheng (Primary Contributor)
Qi Shu (Primary Contributor)
Wai-keung Lau (Cinematographer)
Manfred Wong (Producer)
Manfred Wong (Writer)
Raymond Chow (Producer)
Wing-Shing Ma (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Mia Video Entertainment Ltd
Manufacturer: Mia Video Entertainment Ltd
EAN: 5024571018368
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-05-21
Number of discs: 2
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1999
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Cantonese Chinese (Original Language)
Language: English (Dubbed)