Rating: 
Summary: HOFFMAN'S CHOICE
Review: HERO is a film that wants to have it both ways, and succeeds in doing so. What is heroism is perhaps shaded with sentimentality and mush, but even when it's spoken by Andy Garcia and Dustin Hoffman, it makes this movie work.
Hoffman plays Bernie Laplante, a down on his luck, selfish, and deceitful father and crook. One night while on his way to take his 9 or 10 year old (Hoffman's never sure) to a movie, he witnesses a tragic plane crash, and in spite of his reluctance to help, he ends up rescuring everyone from the plane. Since he is in trouble with the law, he doesn't come forth to accept any credit. He tells his story and gives his one remaining shoe to a homeless man played with grace and sincerity by Andy Garcia. Garcia comes forward to claim the honor of the hero, and the media makes him into a saintly miracle worker, and everyone loves John Bubber. Hoffman ends up in jail and can't convince anyone that he is the real hero. Smack dab in the middle of all this is Geena Davis as the news reporter who Hoffman saved on the plane, and she's falling madly in love with Garcia.
The movie's resolution comes while Garcia and Hoffman are perched on the ledge of a skyscraper, and this is where the movie serves both sides: Garcia is a liar and deceitful, yet he has done so much good with his heroic aura that the audience doesn't really want to see him pay for his deceit; meanwhile Hoffman has been such a sleazeball for most of the movie, that you don't really want him to usurp Garcia, but at the same time, Hoffman's turn of heart makes you want to see him be recognized, especially for his ex-wife and son's benefit. How it works out is a little forced, but it satisfies both sides.
Hoffman is brilliant in this role, bringing a touch of humanity to an otherwise scumbag role; Davis does a good job as Gale, her best performance in some time; Garcia is great as John Bubber, a man caught in his lie, but afraid to come forward; Chevy Chase has an uncredited turn as the news station's director, and Joan Cusack as always lends solid support in the role of Hoffman's ex-wife.
HERO isn't one of the greatest films, but it is pleasantly told and skillfully directed and acted. One could do worse for a couple hours entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: underrated
Review: Hero is really a gem. It features consistently good performances and is sharp, thought-provoking, and is touching without approaching sappiness. You get Geena Davis while she was still making good movies, Dustin Hoffman without much visible ego, a solid Andy Garcia, and the always-fabulous Joan Cusack. This movie was SO underrated. I remember reading that Quentin Tarantino said this was a movie he wished he'd had a chance to direct because it could have been so much better, that in this movie you see a director reaching the extent of his abilities, and while I was glad to see that someone was recognizing it in any way, it also really made me mad that Quentin Tarantino, not like the most consistent or productive director, should say that about Steven Frears, who directed My Beautiful Laundrette, Dangerous Liaisons, and this. Really! This is for me up there among the best movies of the past 10 years, certainly among the most underappreciated.
Rating:
Summary: underrated
Review: Hero is really a gem. It features consistently good performances and is sharp, thought-provoking, and is touching without approaching sappiness. You get Geena Davis while she was still making good movies, Dustin Hoffman without much visible ego, a solid Andy Garcia, and the always-fabulous Joan Cusack. This movie was SO underrated. I remember reading that Quentin Tarantino said this was a movie he wished he'd had a chance to direct because it could have been so much better, that in this movie you see a director reaching the extent of his abilities, and while I was glad to see that someone was recognizing it in any way, it also really made me mad that Quentin Tarantino, not like the most consistent or productive director, should say that about Steven Frears, who directed My Beautiful Laundrette, Dangerous Liaisons, and this. Really! This is for me up there among the best movies of the past 10 years, certainly among the most underappreciated.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Hoffman
Review: It was an entertaining movie. Flawed, but watchable
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN
Review: The most heartwarming and humanism movie i have ever seen. I watch this movie again and again without getting tired of it.It is my #1 all time movie by far.
Rating:
Summary: clearing too much heaven of the minds
Review: There's a mean idea at this movie that for me justifies it all and is clearly verbalized sometimes: that heroism is at last a form of stupidity or madness. Sure, madness or stupidity have his peculiar greatness, but we can't cheat ourselves Dustin Hoffmann knows it very well and also what's real life, in his case, really unstable and sordid, but perhaps as all of us, he has these rare property capable of elevate and dignify one life at least for one time even in spite of manipulated tv and news. All in this film rounds over this idea and makes a good film different of the customary cinema of today.
Rating: 
Summary: Chance to see Hoffman in different light
Review: This movie is for Dustin Hoffman what Ricochet was for John Lithgow-- a chance to see a great actor depart from his typical performances or roles. This is a chance to see Hoffman a real lout. Even in movies where he started off as a lout, he eventually changes. He is a lout, through and through. It's also a chance to see cute Andy Garcia make an unethical decision and have to live with the consequences. It's not an even movie but entertaining, nonetheless. Other movies have done the same theme better but you'll like it.
Rating:
Summary: Dustin At His Best
Review: Very few actors can play Idiots or losers like Hoffman does in this movie. He does it with so much grace that you want to adopt him. Maybe not fully intended, but it's a brilliant comedy. Hoffman's indifference while trying to open the door of the plane is, in my opinion, one of the funniest scenes in cinema ever.
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