Film Quarterly's critical article of Hero posted June 28, 2005 delivers applause towards the beautifully artistic martial-arts scenes, as well as questions the films intent. According to the article, the film's political stand justifies despotism, tyrannical rule, in China's history. "Viewers may leave with the impression that the film's message is simply that abandoning the attempt to kill the King of Qin was the right thing to do, for the sake of bringing an end to the chaos in China; and that, for his feat of unifying China, the first emperor deserves to be regarded as a hero." The article continues that in actual historical accounts of the first emperor, he is regarded as a tyrant. By assigning the emperor hero-like qualities conflicts arise, since the film portrays a "favorable attitude towards tyranny." In addition, the article questions, "Despite his success in unifying China, should the first emperor not be held accountable for his brutality?"
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