Hey folks, Harry here... In shooting the dung with a friend of mine the other day, we realized that there is just no way Brett Ratner can get to shooting RUSH HOUR 3 this Fall, because Jackie Chan is scheduled to shoot AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS - and that's supposed to be one of those 9 months shoots - and I heard it wasn't gonna get started till this summer, which would make it impossible for Jackie to shoot anything till next year - or Late Late Late this year... We'll have to see, but I think we'll have it all cleared up very soon. Meanwhile, Kolaboy here has a look at HERO and SHANGHAI KNIGHTS - both of which are showing up early in Asia... So here ya go....

Hi Harry    

This is Kolaboy here. I think its been like forever since I wrote in a review to you guys. My Time Management is pretty bad and cos I work like crazy hours now....ironically, am in the media industry (and the highlight so far was going to the LOTR-TTT Junket and going gaga over Liv Tyler, who was kind enough to oblige with a cheek to cheek pic with yours truly!). But I digress....we get most movies in Asia releasing  after the US, so I guess there isnt any point offering any sneaks until now.    

I've seen 2 upcoming films thats coming up or going to be shown in Asia before the US..haha, so decided its time to let you guys know what to expect from these 2 films.  First up, HERO.    

Think everyone is expecting HERO to be the next Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. There's definitely high expectations from this film and I think depending on how you look at it, it will either exceed expectations or at the very least, be on par with CTHD. HERO is visually more exciting and is such a visceral experience for the eye, you will likely be salivating at the costumes, cinematography and the action sequences. But if you're looking for character depth and plot, go watch CTHD on DVD again.  

Here's a quick breakdown:    

Based on a legend of the first emperor of China, Jet li plays the Nameless one who is given an appearance with the King after slaying enemies - Sky (Donnie Yen), Broken Arrow (Tony Leung) and Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung). And the story of how these enemies are killed and why forms the basis of the film. Different versions of the story with the use of colors - RED, BLUE, GREEN, WHITE. The Emperor and his army are refresented by BLACK.    

The plot is simple and Zhang takes his time to tell it. It felt as though the story was really to thread the action sequences together (not that I am complaining about that). Acting wise, it felt again like the cast were there more for the fight scenes. They were competent enough but not outstanding work from the likes of Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Jet Li et all. Zhang Ziyi looks like she's playing her CTHD role all over again, just with more scowling looks (I still think her best film was in The Road Home, directed by Zhang Yi Mou).    

So, does this mean the film sucks? Nada..This film is gorgeous. Its like a blockbuster arthouse action film. Zhang Yi Mou has such a flair for colors...I still can't get enough of the cinematography and costumes - its enough to watch the film on these 2 merits alone. If anything, I would hope that Hero gets nominated for Oscars in these 2 categories along with Best foreign film. Its like a mood ring, and every color represents something and there is so much to take in on screen, you'll want to watch it again.    

As for the action, if you think all that flying around in CTHD was unbelievable, prepare to suspend belief as the action in HERO ups the ante even more. Every action sequence is almost like a ballet. Some of it is amazingly stylized but it works, especially in the context of the Color segments. **SPOILERS - There's an incredible fight between Maggie Cheung and Zhang Zi Yi in the Red segment with falling leaves and you can't help but awe when Maggie just whoops them leaves into a swirly attack on Zhang Zi Yi. And there is a fight on water between Tony Leung and Jet Li - and there is a sequence during  where you get a perspective of them skimming across the water from below the surface. Cool......    

Overall, think the film is an achievement for Zhang Yi Mou. Personally, I prefer his earlier works like Raise The Red Lantern but go watch this film. If anything, its an epic and better than most of the nonsense Hollywood can sometimes put out...er..well, depending on whether you're in the mood for it or not, I guess.

SHANGHAI KNIGHTS