Hero

Hero is the story of a not so nice man that performs an extra-ordinary act of courage. He rescues a crashed plane full of trapped passengers. And after he does, he disappears into the night, never to be seen again---that is until a T.V. station offers 1 million dollars for the man to come forward and identify himself. Someone else takes the credit through a funny series of events that should remain unsaid.

This film is a true treasure. It not only examines fragile human issues like family responsibility, love, our stigmas that we set upon heroes and morality, but it is a damn entertaining movie. It is also a tearjerker. Not many people gave this film a chance but now that it is out on video, check this one out. You will be glad you did.

Stephen Frears made a fantastic film in 'Hero'.... the underrated Masterpiece of Hollywood from the year 1992. The film is engaging, interesting, gripping, enjoyable almost everything you want to see in a film, when you grow up.

There is a hero in all of us, says Andy Garcia in the film, the film leaves you happy, that even in some ways everyone is a hero. A quality in all of us, that has or can make us a Hero!

Laura Ziskin, Alvin Sargent & David Webb Peoples the writer's of 'Hero' deserve a pat for their hard work and brilliant writing. And the director's understanding and execution is just a cherry on the cake.

Performance wise: Dustin Hoffman excels as Bernie. The legendary actor steals the show with an outstanding performance. Andy Garcia is excellent. His character might look Grey, but when he takes up the deeds, you route for the so-called hero. Geena Davis looks gorgeous and delivers a first-rate performance. Chevy Chase is wonderful. Joan Cusack is just right. Kevin J. O'Connor, Maury Chaykin & Stephen Tobolowsky are efficient.

on the whole 'Hero' is heroic indeed. A must see for all cinema lovers. Two Thumbs Up!

Dustin H is at his brilliant best. Listen carefully to his closing speech to his son(delivered with passion in the zoo). Words of wisdom about the state of the human zoo we live in. The movie has humour, pathos and some great lines. One of my favourites.

I felt not only well entertained by this film, it also reinforced my disdain towards the way media makes heroes out of people with media flair, instead of the people who really deserve it. As Bubber, the imposter, played in the film by Garcia so emphatically puts it: "We're all heroes if you catch us at the right moment". The falseness of this otherwise bold and inspiring message brings out a seldom heard truth about the way lies have sold so well in this century. And how most people are willing to sell their souls for the supposed joy of being a celebrity.

The similarity with the fabulous "Fearless" (starring Jeff Bridges) is striking, in spite of the completely different realization and overall mood of the film.

This was one of my favorite movies. Its basic message is that no one is either 100% good or 100% sleazy, as Hoffman and Garcia's characters show. Hoffman plays a two-bit thief who rescues a bunch of people from a downed airplane (including news reporter Geena Davis), and Garcia, a seemingly noble Vietnam vet, winds up taking credit for it.

Basically, the movie shows the dangers of our need for a hero and the media's glorifying of such a need. I liked this movie a lot.

*** out of ****