Hero - OMPS Tan Dun

Not at all a sequel to, but somewhat a companion of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Hero” seeks to present a Western paced adventure with Eastern flair and a reverence for the mythology of martial arts and swordplay. “Dragon” was director Ang Lee’s romantic vision of a love story, full of flying swords, fighters and emotions. “Hero” is director Zhang Yimou’s warrior epic. Both scores are by the brilliant Tan Dun and, if there is anything that connects the two movies together as a sort of sequel / sibling, it is the music.

Dun’s sound is unmistakably orchestral but also full of the spirit of Asia , as can be found in the use of more exotic instrumentation. It’s something I don’t really understand: Hans Zimmer’s otherwise wonderful score for “The Last Samurai” did not, to me, sound like a score by one fully immersed in Japanese culture. However Dun’s music has a natural kinship to the Chinese background of both “Crouching Tiger” and “Hero”. Listen to some of Itzhak Perlman’s solos through the score in my defense. While always the consummate performer, what he is performing seems to be wholly part and parcel of another world.

“Hero” is one of those rare soundtracks that stand up on their own and can be enjoyed without visuals. It also makes a great partner to the score that preceded it and now I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a trifecta.

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Release Date: August 24, 2004
Tracks: 16 - Time: 54:30
Produced by: Tan Dun & Grace Row
Format: CD
Website: www.hero-movie.jp

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