The first reason why people would actually get interested in this movie must be that beautiful poster. Hands down, they did a great job with that. But don't get your hopes up if you expect something epic.
The story is quite simple. A business man is developing a new area and in the process is killing mermaids whose existence he of course doesn't know of. Therefore the mermaids send their most beautiful girl to kill him. That doesn't go so well because she falls in love with him - and he with her. Of course.
Well, storytelling is as fast as a high-speed train (write off authentic feelings). The scenes are completely exaggerated and (in the beginning) went over the top. After a while though it achieves a balance and holds its ground to a point where the jokes are getting quite funny. There are some hilarious moments that really stuck in my mind. And suddenly the story turns from comical to sober within seconds. The movie takes on a new perspective and shows some really nice action scenes and drama. Adding some beautiful sceneries and sometimes well done CGI and it was easy to go on with the film and finish it.
Like this the movie managed to keep me watching till the end despite all the flaws, and the leads were also kinda charming.
To summon it up:
I went from "Oh sh**, what's that?!" to "Oh well, it's nice and sweet and stupid but enjoyable."
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Stephen Chow have made a good job on directing and producing this film. Although he was not on the movie but he picked the right character to play the male lead role instead of him. The female lead role was also great and funny, you would love her :) <3
I give it a 10 stars! I'm so picky in giving a 10 stars on a movie because it is so hard to find a movie that deserves to give a 10 stars. But this one really deserves a 10 star ratings. You would love it! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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What was done well: The film is heavy on the environment as it should be considering we're talking a sea creature and what man is doing to the oceans. The cast is also good for their roles.
What was done not so well: The CGI was iffy. The story is shallow (a little water humor there).
The story isn't your typical The Little Mermaid. I won't spoil it for you, but let's just say Ariel isn't looking for her prince. Instead Chow did an interesting twist on the old Hans Christian Andersen story. A tycoon buys a gulf without any idea about the marine life. His partner (and crazed stalker) has a team of scientist using new tech to chase away protected marine life so the area can be developed. The mermaids aren't too happy about this. I think the idea is interesting and sound. I just wish it had been played out and developed more.
Like I said the cast was good for their roles. What I mean is they didn't have very much acting to do. It seems like the script was thin with very little meat on it's bones. Much of the cast was reduced to silly and primarily unfunny gags that Chow has done much better. That being said I enjoyed Deng Chao's performance. He was entertaining.
The music. OMG the music. Only if you are a lover of Chinese opera. I'm still trying to figure out how Chao was latin dancing to traditional Chinese music. The man has moves. It's weird, but it seemed like the music was mixed too loud. It was overpowering to me sometimes. It didn't really add to the story, help convey emotion, or push the story along.
I have no need to rewatch this movie. Admittedly, I wouldn't mind seeing the entire office scene including Chao's dancing again. They can keep the rest.
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That said the instant the movie started up it only took me a few moments to be utterly disappointed. Of course I then immediately got why it was popular. Disappointed, but I got it.
Visually . . . that was probably my biggest disappointment. Because after reading the synopsis for the movie, I anticipated that this would be kind of standard old school plot for a rom com in the Asian market. What would make it great was the visuals of the mermaids. Well it was bad. China has some of the top graphics out there. They've been doing high tech stuff well before Disney asked them to make their bubbles for The Little Mermaid. So I figured China's mermaids would look stunning. Well I found the tails and one octopus man to look horrible CGI fake. Not to mention the action scenes. I've become spoiled with my affects and it took me a while to adjust. Even then there were so many awkward movie graphics that would still catch me by surprise. (Though I do believe the grandma mermaid was stunning. Especially in the fight at the end.)
As I've said the story was nothing new. It was pretty typical. Characters who hate/want to kill someone and have them fall in love, that's so dramas! What made it stand out was the message behind it. I'm sure you can guess it's an environmental one, but it's a message always worth repeating. I won't lie I had a good time. Even my dad (yes once I rented it and realized there were dubs I made my mom and dad sit through it with me) laughed at the antics. Whether it was from genuine laughter at it's cleverness, or the cop-actor who knocked it out of the park, or the sheer painfulness from some of the more awkward bits we laughed.
The actors were pretty good. I think the stand out performance was by one of the cops at the police station. (When he's first on screen he's the one on the right. Sorry I had a really tough time finding information.) Even both my parents commented on him. Liu Xuan would be my second choice, his character really came to life. He was so awkward and suave, even creepy. Strangely enough my heart gave a little jump when he spoke his cheesy lines to Shan (AKA THE mermaid). Shan and Liu Xuan where cute together. I think both leading ladies brought great energy to their roles. Though considering I'm more interested in finding out who played the cop, it had it's limits.
Music was fun, but not a style I particular care for. Most of the time I didn't think it fit the movie. (Since I keep mentioning my parents I reveal they didn't care for it at all!) No, I won't be seeking this particular OST out.
Rewatch? Oh, you betcha I will! This was one of those over the top movies that will make me laugh off any funky mood. Heck, I'll probably rewatch it with unsuspecting friends just to watch their reactions.
When the credits started rolling my dad turned and looked at me saying, "The Chinese have a lot to learn about movies." To which I said, "But they know! They make amazing movies, this is just on the campy side." The kind that a lot of US viewers stereotype Asian films to. Despite many already seeing some of the more serious ones. (Come on Crouching Tiger anyone?) Newbies to foreign films, especially the Asian stuff, should be warned. For the rest of us just know that it's way over the top. Personally I'm happy I watched it. It put a smile on my face and my parents will be making "plucking" jokes for many months to come.
(Oh, and in all fairness I have seen way crazier films come out in the US. To which my dad conceded the creepy clown movie we just watched last week and many others.)
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Good story but wont recommend to watch it
●Finding the poster which is a visual treat I wanted an escape from drama so I watched this movie. But my mind quite sank with the poor acting.●Story was nice where the mermaid comes to land but not to find love. To save her territory from getting destroyed. The mermaid wasn’t typical but different and the octopus man was visually satisfying to see.
●Acting-while mermaid acting was good. Male lead seems as overacting each scene. His actions and body language were so terrible, as in it was not convincing the comedy scenes.
●Music- not remembering
●Rewatch- NO
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