The Four (2008)

I watched this a long time ago when it first came out. Now, I just finished rewatching it.  The story is interesting.  It is basically simple mysteries being solved by the four officers that involve corrupt government officials and some characters in the martial arts world.  It is about justice prevailing.  It isn't exceptionally great mysteries though.  Not very suspenseful. It is drama heavy but not in a way where there is confusing relationship lines. It has martial arts but it doesn't really put much effort in the battles. But, it does look smooth and not forced. The characters were interesting and meshed well but the acting was just a little better than saying so-so. Some of the female characters needed better casting to be honest.  Music, no comment, nothing special.  Rewatch, it is one of those family friendly slice of life genre shows so probably. Typical TVB stuff. I would recommend it as a "pass the time" type recommendation, but it really has nothing on the historical martial arts dramas that are out now.

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This is probably a non Jin-Yong Wuxia drama I've ever watched since my comeback into watching wuxia a couple of years ago. I watched it during last summer break.

The plot is actually interesting but they seemed to rush it and compressed it into just 25 episodes. It's a shame though. It could have been better if they stretched it out a bit adding backstory. For example, Song Chi Yin. I find her very interesting but almost no backstory as to how she became a spy. Slowing the pace and making things complicated and hard to be solved would have made the story more interesting, too. The production is mediocre. Although the theme is political conspiracy involving the king, minister, etc however the setting is of nothing grand. It should have been more epic considering the scope of the conspiracy. The costume is ok. The guys wear better costume but the ladies wear mediocre costume in my opinion. The choreography isn't bad but it's not special, either. I guess all of these may have had something to do with limited budget, which is too bad because I think the drama had the potential to be really good.

But I really like that they gave each of the main character a personality that suits their name. You know what Heartless, Iron Fist, Cold Blood, and Chaser are like. Heartless is kind of arrogant, distant, and sarcastic in nature. Cold Blood is detached and unfeeling. Iron Fist is kind of idealistic, warm, and friendly. And Chaser is somewhat happy-go-lucky and slightly devious. Each has their own personal tribulation but in the end they come together, hand-in-hand solving the mystery and revealing the conspiracy. I also like the idea of a disabled martial art hero. If the choreography were better, Heartless' kung fu would have been something special to be seen over and over again.

The fact that romance occupies a small part in this drama is something I really appreciate. Personally I feel that a large portion of a wuxia themed drama should focus on the affliction or ordeal around martial art, be it related to politics with the monarchy or politics or conspiracy among the martial artists themselves. I don't disapprove romance in a wuxia but it should take up a small portion in the whole story. So I was happy that this series doesn't dwell on complicated love matter. The romance is just the right amount.

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