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Hero - Page 2

SPOILERS BELOW
Please do not read if you haven't seen the movie


In response to the brief analysis of the movie, I'd like to put in my two cents ^_^. I think the overall theme of Hero answers the question of "what makes heroes?" The ability to see beyond one's own selfish reasons, no matter how noble, and finally understand the suffering of many is what makes a true hero because he sacrifices himself to push the rest of the country forward. If you remember, the words that moved Broken Sword and Nameless was "Our Land".

I think at first Nameless was content with sticking to his original gameplan, to assassinate the Emperor. I'm thinking what changed his mind was that Nameless began to understand what Broken Sword had said as Nameless explained "Our Land".

Are we left to believe he did not keep his word? No, I don't think we were- the counsel surrounding the Emperor stated that it is the law to kill assassins. If the Emperor let Nameless live, he would have underminded his own law, therefore leaving it open for anyone to challenge the Emperor's authority. This was the man who was supposed to unite China; who would think highly of a man who let his would-be killer live? It is the Emperor whom Broken Sword believed to be the force to unite all those separate lands that were subject to whatever crazy laws the leaders there made up.

I think the director's version of Nameless telling various versions were: first is the jealous couple in lust with each other-- hate and treachery among the most beautiful; then is honor, the pure and simple tale of not lovers, but companions who were one with the earth; and then the truth, which was a mix of both stories- yes, the couple had grown apart, but it was in their spirituality, Snow being the embodiment of the emotion of the first story and Broken Sword being the embodiment of the second .

This is relevant because this is the transformation that takes place in Nameless. He begans like Snow, bitter and angry- resentful and bloodthirsty. In the end, he is Broken Arrow, possessing understanding that would go unnoticed by those who don't take a second and deeper look.

Bleh, I think too much, oi =^.^=

Edited: LBlossom on 1st Nov, 2004 - 8:42am

Hero

I enjoyed your analysis of the movie and I am glad that you appreciated the story itself, it will be good to see a part II with equal food for thought.