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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Hero
    Genre: Action Adventure

    Reviewed In Issue 92 (Jan 2005) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung Man-Yuk, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Dao Ming & Donnie Yen

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4
    DD Sound Rating: 4.5
    DTS Sound Rating: 4.5
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 4
    Internet Links


    Special Features
    Special features includes Hero Defined, a making-of featurette, four storyboard comparisons, a conversation with martial arts fan Quentin Tarantino and actor Jet Li, and a soundtrack spot.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Miramax Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 38012
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Rating Reason):

    		 For stylized martial arts violence and a scene of sensuality
    (Retail Price): $29.99
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 98
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2004
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 11/30/04
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Zhang Yimou
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
    (Story): Subscribe Now!
    (Music): Subscribe Now!
    (Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
    (Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
    (Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
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    (Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
    (Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
    (Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
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    (Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Picture Information

    (Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Sound Information

    (DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
    (DTS Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Set during China

    DVD Picture:
    Opening with images that are desaturated and virtually monochromatic, it quickly becomes apparent that color plays a major role in this film, and the picture boasts engulfing cinematography. The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD nicely delivers the images with satisfying sharpness and definition, like facial textures. Yet other scenes appear somewhat soft. Notable hues in the color scheme, like yellows and reds, pop from the screen, with little chroma noise to be seen. The source element is revealing of film grain, but no bothersome artifacts. There is pixelization noticed at times, and minor edge halos will catch the eyes of finicky viewers. Overall, this is a pleasing picture.(Suzanne Hodges)

    Soundtrack:
    Four multichannel tracks are provided on this DVD, including three Dolby

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