TWO thousand years ago, during the height of the Warring States period, China is divided into seven feuding kingdoms, Qin, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei and Qi.

Decades of death and suffering ensue as these realms fight ruthlessly for supremacy.

The powerful King of Qin (Daoming Chen) is determined to become the First Emperor of China and he becomes obsessed with conquering his neighbours, at any price.

The remaining six states try in vain to assassinate the King of Qin, hiring a succession of would-be killers.

Three legendary fighters stand head and shoulders above the rest: Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) and Sky (Donnie Yen).

Their swordsmanship, dexterity and tenacity is renowned throughout the kingdoms and the King of Qin lives in fear for his life, becoming a virtual recluse in his heavily guarded palace.

Determined to achieve his goal, the King promises great power, mountains of gold and a private audience with himself to anyone who can defeat these three assassins.

Ten years pass. Out of the blue, enigmatic county sheriff Nameless (Jet Li) arrives at the palace bearing the legendary weapons of the slain assassins, with a promise to tell the King how he came to slay Broken Sword, Flying Snow and Sky.

The King grants Nameless a private audience, impatient to hear his tale. However, something about the sheriff's version of events doesn't ring true.

Hero is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal painted on a vast canvas.

It's a breath-taking feast for the senses, combining stunning cinematography and Dun Tan's elegiac orchestral score with sumptuous costume design and art direction.

The plot unfolds, Rashomon-like, as a series of contradictory flashbacks, each concealing some version of the truth.

Li is a delightful narrator, shrouding his true intentions until the closing frames, and there are strong performances from his co-stars.

The exquisite Leung and Cheung, who headlined In The Mood For Love, once again spark an erotically charged screen chemistry.

Yen is a commanding screen presence and Ziyi brings heartfelt emotion to her role as Broken Sword's faithful student Moon.

The balletic action sequences are jaw-dropping, unfolding at dizzying speed, including a sword fight between Snow and Moon that takes place in a blizzard of whirling red, orange, and yellow leaves. Glorious.

See it at UCI, ABC