In Miami there are a great number of options when in comes to take-out food, especially when it comes to Asian food. However, to create the perfect Asian evening, I recommend take-out from Sushi Siam, while watching a rented version of Hero at home.
Hero is a Chinese martial arts epic starring Jet Li (The One, Fearless) and is directed by Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers). It tells the two thousand year old story of warrior Jing Ke who defeated three notorious assassins who were plotting to kill the king of Qin. In a series of flashbacks the story is told, in which beautiful scenery, impressive cinematography, and breathtaking swordsmanship is shown.
The protagonist, Nameless, retells his encounters with the assassins to the King in a series of flashbacks. Each flashback is encompassed by a single color including blue, green, white, and red. With each color change, the plot twists, revealing new information about the attempts to kill the King and of the nature of Nameless. With each tale, Nameless draws closer to the King, as is his reward, and interactions between the two develop as the King is intrigued as to how one man could do what his entire army could not. Also with each tale, the viewer is wholly enthralled by the flawless swordplay that occurs between Nameless and his opponents.
However, as it is true for many epics, some sacrifices must be made to fully appreciate the beauty of the martial arts in this film; one of the biggest sacrifices must be the appreciation for reality. No, in real life people cannot leap over fifty feet in one bound, nor can they suspend themselves over water with just the tip of their sword, and they definitely cannot protect themselves from hundreds of arrows with nothing more than a sleeve. Yet, once a viewer casts off these inhibitions, the film Hero can be appreciated to its maximum capability. The fact that, in Hero, a single sweep of a sword can cause a powerful gust that can blow and opponent away should not push a viewer away from seeing this film, but rather it should invite the viewer in to have a taste of Asian imagination and fantasy.
In conclusion, Hero is a film that should be seen by all action fans. The fighting is unparalleled, the plot is complex and exciting, and the flair for the unrealistic makes the movie unique and all the more enjoyable. Surprise plot changes, psychological revelations, and thrilling sword fights structure this film, leaving for both a physically and emotionally stimulating experience.
My recommendation is to watch Hero in its original Mandarin Chinese, with English subtitles.
Sushi Siam is a traditional Japanese restaurant with locations all over Miami, including Morningside, Aventura, Key Biscayne, and Brickell. All locations have a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, with a friendly and helpful wait staff. The menu has a wide variety of Asian cuisine, the most popular of which is sushi. However, the menu tends to differ between locations, yet the majority of the restaurants retain many of the same orders. While a little pricey, Sushi Siam has a complex menu that is sure to please all fans of Asian food.
Some of my favorite sushi orders at Sushi Siam are (please note, as locations differ, so may price):
Spicy Maguro ($2.50 each): A sushi roll that uses spicy tuna as its meat, it has a kick that most sushi rolls don’t have. Filling and delicious, it is well worth its price.
Unagi (3.95 each): Different from most sushi rolls, this eel roll is a taste to be acquired. However, once one has an appreciation for it, it can quickly become a favorite.
Tempura Ebi ($2.50): For those that don’t like raw fish, this shrimp tempura roll is perfect. With a fried shrimp running through the middle of this roll, it is a delicious compliment to any other sushi.
Other orders that are my favorite include (please note, as locations differ, so may price):
Pork Pad Thai ($11.95): Cooked pork mixed with noodles, nuts, vegetables, rice, and sauce, the Pork Pad Thai is a great dinner choice that offers the hungriest of customers an extremely large meal. It is also a reprieve from the overwhelming Japanese presence in the food (if you can’t tell from the name, its from Thailand).
Chicken Takatori: A skewer of cooked chicken and vegetables drizzled with a sweet sauce, this meal is perfect for adults and for kids. Tough enough to be pulled off and eaten with utensils, while also tender enough to be eaten right off of the skewer, this choice is a great pick for those who are not very hungry.
Salads and soups are also available for order, however there is a low possibility of getting anything that isn’t Asian themed. However, for Asian lovers, this restaurant is perfect.
Now, how do Hero and Sushi Siam combine to make a great Asian evening? Imagine sitting down on your couch in some comfortable clothes with great Japanese take-out, to watch one of the best martial arts films of the twenty-first century. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? While the action of Hero may leave your chopsticks suspended for a moment, the flavor of Sushi Siam’s food will quickly revitalize you. The awe-inspiring intricacy of Hero’s plot and action, combined with Sushi Siam’s complete grasp of the Asian palette is a surefire way to create the perfect Asian themed evening, and will quickly have you saying “Domo Arigato” every time.
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