Did anyone actually like this better than Hero? - Shi mian mai fu (2005) Discussion

[–] kanman 15 years ago

Hi there,

I think this film somehow lacked the passion involved in Ying Xiong. I was just telling my brother that the first half hour doesn't make any sense...
Anyway, this cannot top Ying Xiong, in my opinion. It has that "feeling" missing

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[–] Qaoz 15 years ago

Hi there,

I think this film somehow lacked the passion involved in Ying Xiong. I was just telling my brother that the first half hour doesn't make any sense...
Anyway, this cannot top Ying Xiong, in my opinion. It has that "feeling" missing

Both movies are epic in their own way. Hero is an epic historical tale whereas House of Flying Daggers is more of a romance.

The last scene in House of Flying Daggers rivals any climax I have yet to encounter in cinema. The sheer amount of power packed into the single scene where Mei pulls the dagger out of her chest and throws it to save Jin, it's enough to make me all emotional.

I think a lot of people find Hero the superior movie due to it being the first movie, but also because of the cast (Jet Li, namely). House of Flying Daggers, while perhaps not the epic production that Hero was, is still high up there.

Less colors, less martial arts, more romance, more focus on emotions and character evolution.

Two very different, but very good, movies.

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[–] Al_Scarface_Capone 15 years ago

I personally like both more than Crouching Tiger, but I found the end of House of Flying Daggers extremely powerful, and quite possibly my all time favorite swords and wire fight. Hero had a better plot over all, but the end of House of Flying Daggers haunts me for some reason.

"You gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"

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[–] sergio_lv13 15 years ago

This thread has made me want to see this wonderful movie again! I absolutely love all 3 films, HOFD, Hero and CotGF. Crouching tiger is awesome too. Why aren't there more films like these ones anymore ?

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[–] Al_Scarface_Capone 15 years ago

What is CotGF?

"You gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"

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[–] sergio_lv13 14 years ago

Curse of the Golden Flower, another film by Zhang Zimou.

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[–] redai02-1 14 years ago

Saw Hero, Crouching Tiger, and this. I like this more than Hero, and liked Crouching Tiger over Hero. I like them all, though. Hero's a beautiful movie too, but this one's the bee's knees for me.

Well where'd ya lose him? It's not like he's a set of car keys...

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[–] Orleanas 14 years ago

Actually, the love aspect of HOFD really made me dislike it. When I realized that this film came down to the whole love triangle thing, I felt like I was bamboozled. False advertising. Did not really like it as a story, but style-wise, thought it was beautiful.

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[–] zoso_uk 14 years ago

Yes, I prefer HOFD to Hero. They're both beautiful, powerful, memorable films but I've only watched Hero once whereas I've felt the compulsion to watch HOFD numerous times.

The men I adore ...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=e_IQwcVjsgo

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[–] JNagarya 14 years ago

I too have lost count of how many times I've watched "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon". And I recommend the blu-ray of it, as the darker nightt scenes a brightened slightly so one can see all of what's happening.

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[–] It_Is_Me_not_you 14 years ago

House of flying daggers is a better and more fun film oppose to Hero. in my opinion House of Flying Daggers is a 8 out of 10 and Hero is a 6.5 out of 10

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[–] richimorton 14 years ago

Are you lt mental ? Jet Li all the way ! Much better story in Hero too .

That which does not Kill me makes me Stranger . . .

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[–] scytheodeath 14 years ago

From the comments here and the styles of the movies in general I think it's safe to say that if a number of men and women were to be asked which movie they prefer; Hero or HoFD, the majority of men would say Hero where the majority of women would say HoFD.
I am no exception to this and prefer hero greatly over HoFD.

HoFD actually disappointed me in the martial arts departement and with its overemphasis on the romance part. Crouching tiger did a much better job in balancing all those aspects imho.

However in the end, for me Hero takes first prize with crouching tiger coming in close second and HoFD third.

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[–] JNagarya 14 years ago

The problem with "Hero" is that there's this dead guy,, named "Nameless," who is the lead character and at the center of the film.

"Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" has it all over both "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers": it has a compelling story with complex characters and relationships among them. And the choreography of the "fights" is superior to both combined.

And both Zhang Ziyi and Chang Chen are excellent in it (though Ziyi is the prettier of the two).

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[–] richimorton 14 years ago

Well yeah - sort of the point - hence the name(less). That's why it's so good . It's called acting .

That which does not Kill me makes me Stranger . . .

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[–] JNagarya 14 years ago

Jet Li? You mean the cold, dead guy at the center of the film -- whereas everyone else in the film is munaly emotional?

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[–] PhilKill 14 years ago

I prefer HoFD, but both films are stunning.

Crouching Tiger deserves our respect, it paved the way for eastern epics in the west and set a high standard.

HoFD 10/10 > Crouching Tiger 10/10 > Ip Man 9/10 > Hero 9/10 > Fearless 8/10

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[–] paranafernando 14 years ago

I also like HoFD better, the romance is good imo, and with a couple twists in it too. The scenery is just amazing, which makes the action scenes more interesting. I also like the other 2 movies discussed here, its hard to choose one over another.

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[–] kevin-124-32038 13 years ago

i think Hero was overall a better film. not to say that HoFD isn't a great movie, but Hero is everything a martial arts epic should be. phenomenal choreography, gorgeous setting, brilliant cinematography (courtesy of the masterful Chris Doyle), and fantastic story telling. It will take a lot to top Hero, and frankly HoFD doesn't have what it takes to be the one that tops it, and i don't foresee any film topping Hero for a while.

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[–] packro 13 years ago

I liked them both the same. Both are excellent movies.

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[–] shadees 13 years ago

I loved this movie..
MUCH more than Crouching Tiger actually, that I didn't like at all..
Hero was awesome though.. But HOFD is the best!!

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