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Reviews
Gyeongiroun Somun (2020)
Well written story that leaves you satisified.
What this series does so well that many fail to do is tell a story well.
In this series, we are introduced to complex characters and their motivations, fears, loves, losses. Each of the main characters is clearly fleshed out by the end of the series and that's what makes their successes and development so enjoyable. We aren't just expected to like them because they're conventionally good looking, we are presented with characters who are real. What many Korean dramas do is that they focus solely on young characters, and though our main protagonist is in high school, this does not take away from the complexities and the development that we get to see in the older characters, especially in Ms. Chu (I highlight her particularly because too many films and series will neglect the competent roles of women who aren't in their twenties).
With well thought out twists and turns the story unfolds as the team works to catch evil spirits, but also fight against unjust city officials in Jungjin. If you're looking for a show that doesn't shy from the evils of people while also holding up the power of meaningful supportive relationships, this is for you.
Zheng tu (2020)
Decent watch.
This movie genuinely started out really well. It had all the makings of a really good coming of age/underdog/zero to hero potential. The movie starts out with the backdrop of political tension and the desire for power, and one country's decision to prepare against its neighbor's impending invasion. Really cool!
The film is wonderfully cast, and there isn't ever any moment where you think, "someone else should have played XYZ". The actors were superb in mastering their roles and bringing their characters to life. Also, cinematographers did phenomenal.
My complaints come in where I left off at the beginning. There was a lot of potential and not enough commitment. This film was jumbled with what seemed to be too many elements for what it was actually able to show and progress well.
For example, we are roughly introduced to a lady in a blue cloak twice in the first 30 minutes of the movie. She is ominous and is clearly supposed to pique our interest. However, she does not make her big reveal until the last 30 minutes where she unloads what would have been the most important information of the movie that Yilong is a prince of Northern Yan. This itself would have needed an entire movie to flesh out, and the "reveal" and lack of follow up shows either a hope for a sequel or poor story telling.
Only one of several instances, this film does not commit fully to a lot of them elements it introduces. Like, if the Grand Tutor really was a spy/assassin, what exactly would he need to even have the tournament? It is explained that he did this to ruin the morale of the clans, however, it just seems like too much just to kill the king. Especially since he is often with the king.
Oh. And all the women of substance get killed off right when you think they were about to show their importance to the plot.
Ne Zha zhi mo tong jiang shi (2019)
Great visuals, poor writing.
The score and the visuals of this movie are superb! I loved seeing the colors, the contrasts, and the way the music really helped bring it to life. You can tell that the production team really wanted to do well in bringing out a magical fantasy world for viewers.
My biggest complaint is with the writing of the story. Most of the story seems to be a slice of life without any build up until perhaps half way through. We know that Ne Zha is on a timeline, but the process of him getting there is unclear. Additionally, the 3 year timeline is rather strange. Are we to assume that he is 3 at the end of the movie, or is he magically older due to the magic inside him? It's rather unclear, and becomes even more unclear when Ao Bing shows up as a teenager. Both of whom were born at the same time. Ao Bing is introduced near the beginning as the would be antagonist/savior of the dragons/apprentice to Sheng Gong Bao(?) then disappears for majority of the film. And when he re-emerges to provide the opposition, his part in the story doesn't help the story move forward. (Honestly the only thing moving this story is that NeZha is supposed to die and everyone is coping with it differently).
Furthermore, Ao Bing is the hope of his people to be free from their imprisonment. This seemed to have been a real big part to the conflict and would hopefully have some kind of resolution at the end. But this subplot is dropped at the end of the lightning blast, as if it wasn't ever mentioned. Yeah okay, NeZha "changed his destiny" but Heaven still ultimately got what it wanted because NeZha is technically dead, and the dragons are still in prison because Ao Bing is also technically dead.
The conflict of the plot comes to an abrupt conclusion but no real resolution in a meaningful way. Sure, everyone comes to take a knee at the end, but if anything, this is a classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer moment: no body likes him until he became useful.
Jue Dai Shuang Jiao (2020)
Great story telling and wonderful visuals!
I just finished the series and the story as it unfolds is wonderful. Character development is well paced throughout the series and does not make the audience feel as though there is a expedited pace for development sake. Although the main motif of separated siblings pitted against one another is used often, it is timeless and well done without being cliched. The humor is well done and does not feel forced at all! You will find yourself rooting for both brothers as they journey and mature.
My biggest apprehension is how female characters are written. They're not as dynamic as the main male protagonists nor the other male characters for the most part. The women in here are either vengeful and spiteful, or their love sick and are damsels in distress. So that's a hard pill to swallow because the women characters are hard to handle at times due to the poor way they are written. For example, Tie Xinlan is first presented as a confident martial artist. However, after we learn she is a woman, she someone becomes less of a confident martial artist and simply just a teenage girl who needs saving and protection.