As Wuxia (Chinese Fantasy) films go, this one wasn't as epic-feeling as many others out there, nor was the plot quite as complex. However, it still drew me in, thanks to the story's more philosophical approach, revolving around questions of prejudice, justice, and the nature of good/evil. The characters were also strong with plenty of development, and were delivered by an excellent cast (it didn't hurt that the leads were so incredibly gorgeous and rocked their styling, either)!
Also, since C-films are extensively dubbed, I have to give separate credit to the voice acting. Unlike the standard wuxia female voices which usually smack of contrived cutesyness or faux refinement, Bai Lu (and the female cast in general) delivered voice overs that were raw, strong and totally genuine (on a side note; damn, can that girl cry! I would give any film a chance if she's in it).
That being said, the show did have its' flaws too. There were minor technical issues with some of the CGI scenes and musical scores, and the repetitive, low-tech CGI scenes of MoQing and the dragon got old. There were some obvious plot holes /confusing storytelling which began around the "becoming a demon" arc. And while Xu Kai's performance was quite good overall, it turned a tad wobbly in many of the "extreme emotional distress" scenes (though I did feel he had the capacity, if the director had helped draw it out). Also, JinXian's story was carried to a rather ridiculous extreme, but Xia Tian did a good job committing to the character.
In summary, if you enjoy the wuxia genre, like some philosophy with your entertainment, and go for character-driven stories with plenty of justice and a happy (if scattered) ending for the main couple, this one is worth watching. Recommended!
ROMANCE RATING: * * * 8.5/10. On the upside, this show had more kiss scenes than your average Wuxia (5+), a few of which were quite prolonged/invested, and the director didn't shy away from building sexual tension (unlike many "pure love" wuxias). Additionally, Xu Kai and Bai Lu had excellent chemistry together, which felt both sweet and passionate. On the downside, although this show definitely revolves around a love story, the plot is larger than that, so the romance generally takes a backseat to the rest of the story.
Also, since C-films are extensively dubbed, I have to give separate credit to the voice acting. Unlike the standard wuxia female voices which usually smack of contrived cutesyness or faux refinement, Bai Lu (and the female cast in general) delivered voice overs that were raw, strong and totally genuine (on a side note; damn, can that girl cry! I would give any film a chance if she's in it).
That being said, the show did have its' flaws too. There were minor technical issues with some of the CGI scenes and musical scores, and the repetitive, low-tech CGI scenes of MoQing and the dragon got old. There were some obvious plot holes /confusing storytelling which began around the "becoming a demon" arc. And while Xu Kai's performance was quite good overall, it turned a tad wobbly in many of the "extreme emotional distress" scenes (though I did feel he had the capacity, if the director had helped draw it out). Also, JinXian's story was carried to a rather ridiculous extreme, but Xia Tian did a good job committing to the character.
In summary, if you enjoy the wuxia genre, like some philosophy with your entertainment, and go for character-driven stories with plenty of justice and a happy (if scattered) ending for the main couple, this one is worth watching. Recommended!
ROMANCE RATING: * * * 8.5/10. On the upside, this show had more kiss scenes than your average Wuxia (5+), a few of which were quite prolonged/invested, and the director didn't shy away from building sexual tension (unlike many "pure love" wuxias). Additionally, Xu Kai and Bai Lu had excellent chemistry together, which felt both sweet and passionate. On the downside, although this show definitely revolves around a love story, the plot is larger than that, so the romance generally takes a backseat to the rest of the story.
