This is a movie adaptation of Jin Yong's Demi Gods, Semi Devils. It is one of my favourite novels. I've enjoyed almost all of the regular TV show adaptations. The most recent one wasn't so great but it's still heads and shoulder above this movie version.
I love Donnie Yen but he peaked in the 80s and 90s movies and Hong Kong TV shows. He can't act. His range is angry and plank of wood. He's great in action though. That's probably why his fame in Hong Kong was limited. He got some fame in Hollywood and was then treated like royalty in China again.
He's a bit like Nicholas Cage, he has some decent stuff under his belt but there's more and more turkeys.
He's not cut out for production and directing.
The story for this novel is quite complex and there are 3 protagonists. This movie concentrates on 1 of them, Qiao Feng, although all 3 of them are in it. The guy in the cage is Duan Yu, his sworn brother. That they become sworn brothers is mentioned but their relationship between the cage and them meeting again is never shown. The other sworn brother is Xu Zhu who is heard but whose face is never shown.
This movie requires prior knowledge of the plot as it doesn't really explain much. You are expected to know. The problem is it is inferior to the TV adaptations plus they have drastically changed some plot points. So what you know isn't accurate to this movie. There is a reveal at the end but they don't even explain who is who etc so it was absolutely pointless. If someone didn't know what went on in the movie they likely are still confused after.
There is no chemistry between the 2 leads. She is always crying. Most of them are decades older than they should be. Donnie Yen's character is around 30, same with his rival. But they are 50-60 in real life.
Moments where they could given some emotional scenes are squandered. The dialogue in the novel and tv versions is snappy and enjoyable. They discard that and pad it out with cliche lines. It makes you cringe. This is basically Game of Thrones season 8 on steroids. GOT S8 at least had enjoyable parts even if it was neutered.
The changes here are all inferior. Who on earth wrote and signed off on this script? The editing is kind of bad too. They must have cut a lot of footage out due to time being too long.
The action is a mixed bag. There are some good action scenes. But the more it goes on the worse it gets. When he is gravely injured and gets mobbed, the horde gently touch him with their swords but can't injure him.
Countless people are not even introduced. You are just supposed to know.
Lady Ma's death is altered. Why? The original is way more satisfying.
If you saw the new adaptation of the Kung Fu Colt Master, this is in the same ball park, possibly worse.
He should stick to acting, support roles or retire.
Even for hardcore fans like me this was a turkey. Do not watch this if you are not familiar with the story. They really had to try to make it this terrible.
I love Donnie Yen but he peaked in the 80s and 90s movies and Hong Kong TV shows. He can't act. His range is angry and plank of wood. He's great in action though. That's probably why his fame in Hong Kong was limited. He got some fame in Hollywood and was then treated like royalty in China again.
He's a bit like Nicholas Cage, he has some decent stuff under his belt but there's more and more turkeys.
He's not cut out for production and directing.
The story for this novel is quite complex and there are 3 protagonists. This movie concentrates on 1 of them, Qiao Feng, although all 3 of them are in it. The guy in the cage is Duan Yu, his sworn brother. That they become sworn brothers is mentioned but their relationship between the cage and them meeting again is never shown. The other sworn brother is Xu Zhu who is heard but whose face is never shown.
This movie requires prior knowledge of the plot as it doesn't really explain much. You are expected to know. The problem is it is inferior to the TV adaptations plus they have drastically changed some plot points. So what you know isn't accurate to this movie. There is a reveal at the end but they don't even explain who is who etc so it was absolutely pointless. If someone didn't know what went on in the movie they likely are still confused after.
There is no chemistry between the 2 leads. She is always crying. Most of them are decades older than they should be. Donnie Yen's character is around 30, same with his rival. But they are 50-60 in real life.
Moments where they could given some emotional scenes are squandered. The dialogue in the novel and tv versions is snappy and enjoyable. They discard that and pad it out with cliche lines. It makes you cringe. This is basically Game of Thrones season 8 on steroids. GOT S8 at least had enjoyable parts even if it was neutered.
The changes here are all inferior. Who on earth wrote and signed off on this script? The editing is kind of bad too. They must have cut a lot of footage out due to time being too long.
The action is a mixed bag. There are some good action scenes. But the more it goes on the worse it gets. When he is gravely injured and gets mobbed, the horde gently touch him with their swords but can't injure him.
Countless people are not even introduced. You are just supposed to know.
Lady Ma's death is altered. Why? The original is way more satisfying.
If you saw the new adaptation of the Kung Fu Colt Master, this is in the same ball park, possibly worse.
He should stick to acting, support roles or retire.
Even for hardcore fans like me this was a turkey. Do not watch this if you are not familiar with the story. They really had to try to make it this terrible.