At the beginning: Beautiful and warm...
Near halfway: Heartbreaking... (on unrequited love)
Halfway: Dark and destructive
Ending: Hopeful (That's a hint that it ended well.)
WHAT I LIKE:
The cinematography and the amazing music went well with all the scenes. I just wish Xia Mu would have more dialogues, but I understand he's a stoic and emotionless character from the start so he wouldn't speak much. Rather, he will progress and develop as a character through action. You'll see how much Xia Mu has grown and how he became a stronger person throughout the movie. He had gotten himself in trouble many times for Ya Wang. Even though he was impulsive, he was heroic on most events, and brought together this message and lesson to the movie:
"Love is courage, love is joy, love is sacrifice, love is not a sin. Once missed, it'll be a lifetime."
NOTE: Also please watch the movie first before you decide to dig up the real ending to the original story... You'll thank me later.
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Otherwise all I got to say was acting was ON POINT. Great. I'm so happy because Kris kinda disappointed me a bit in his Never Gone role so I was a bit nervous but it's obvious that dramatic characters suit him amazingly well.
Hangeng's characters is basically probably every girl's dreamy boy next door type and the female actress was stunning as well.
Honestly, acting just.. amazing. From everyone.
Story was amazing as well, just not my kind of ending hahah. But generally. Just a great movie. But prepare yourself for some emotional turmoil because "sweet" sixteen is far from being sweet and the whole movie had me going up and down and up and down the entire film. Unpredictable, but luckily, the mood change was not confusing at all. Very clean and clear story telling, which is always great for a movie.
In general, I am already putting it on my rewatch list. I personally was not disappointed at all. For those that read the book and then watched the movie, sorry to burst a bubble but movies never live up to their books. Trust me. So don't make an unfair comparison. As someone who looks at it subjectively because I didn't read the book before, as a movie, this is amazing and definitely worth a watch!
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I am a fan of Kris Wu and that is the only reason why I went to watch this movie in the first place, but, I really ended up disliking his character at the end. For those of you who have watched it, I know why he did it, but, he was still wrong and it is against my moral beliefs. For those of you who haven't watched, I have a hard time recommending this movie to anyone. I mean, I had fun while watching it but, it kind of does not make you ever watch to rewatch it. The rewatch value for this movie to me is nothing.
For those of you who like Joo Won, sorry, guys he is evil and does not get better, and he is the only Korean in this film. He is a great actor in this film, though, you really hate him.
Also, I feel like this whole plot could have been fixed if only Kris had not _____. I felt like the movie led us up to something and then never fullfilled what it promised to us earlier. I mean, really Kris should have never _______ because the movie told us he was just that good and made a point of making that point, but, then he still ________. Ugh, why did Kris ____?
Anyway, the music was not really memorable except for Kris' song which can be listened to without watching the movie.
Frankly, as far as the plot goes I did not care what guy the girl went with. In fact, when I went into the movie I knew it was sad, but, I thought it was going to be sad for different reasons. It was really sad, but, not because of the love triangle. Also, I did not like the side couple (well, just the guy, the girl was fine) so, it was incredibly annoying when the guy was a friend of our main character.
So, in the end I am not sure I reccommend this movie at all.
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This review may contain spoilers
What attracted me to this movie was Joo Won, but I wasn't aware of the character he'd play......which I didn't like (but in a good way since he acted so well).I wasn't sure about the whole Chinese dubbing of Joo Won voice...but I mean it is a Chinese movie so DUH , but his performance makes you forget that.
I thought the whole cast did a great job and the story was different. It was a very emotional movie....and I teared up a little. I hear it's base off of a book? if so, I really would like to read the book now so if anyone knows where I can read it please let me know.
I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I do recommend this movie.
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SAD! WARNING: SADD
SADD
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This review may contain spoilers
27/01/2024
This would have been a heck of a lot better had the actors looked like their ages (too old facially for high school ages) and if they didn't do an about change in looks with Xia Mu's face at the end. The two actors for Xia Mu were on point.
A bit disjointed in one or two parts and maybe not fleshed out like a drama series would be, but it wasn't too bad and it did tell a good enough story.
Did read somewhere some considered Xia Mu a bit of a stalker as he turned up out of the blue in a few scenes involving her when he probably shouldn't have been there, but I didn't see it like that at all, also, if she had any concerns she would have told him so.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
I think I understand Shu Ya Wang's decision between her first love, Tang Tian, and the dysfunctional boy she tutored and supported for years as a friend and "big sister, Xia Mu, post being sexually assaulted at a company party by Qu Wei Ran.
This is age difference aside!
I feel her choice came down to the fact that both were "damaged" (herself and Xia Mu) and therefore could relate more to the other not to mention what Xia Mu did to protect her.
Turning her back on Tang Tian wasn't to hurt him, but because what happened to her would have always overshadowed them plus she knew deep down there was no going back to their carefree days like when they were youngsters, teens then young adults.
With Xia Mu it wouldn't have mattered to him and it didn't - what was most important to him was that she was happy and he accepted her unconditionally. That is regardless of his small outburst in prison because be wanted her to be happy without him.
I think her choice was the right one because long before anything took place in the way of "violence towards a woman" I imagined a future for them anyhow - just not the way it turned out.
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Loved it!!!!
I love this movie so damn much. Sure, there's tragedy in it, but I can't explain my love for emo boys, especially when the set up is with an older woman. Kris Wu plays a young emo boy perfectly, and he's handsome, too. Some watchers have complained about the title being misleading, which it is, but honestly, considering one of the posters (where we get a beautiful closeup of half of Wu's face) I was worried this would be a horror show.I can't find the words to explain it, and I do wish there was a little less tragedy, slightly more angst and a more hopeful ending, but I do love the story. Now, to find this book I keep hearing about that it's based on...
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curious decision
Another one with a great female lead. Almost every movie/series i like has great female lead character performance..As for the story, I thought it was good. Truly wonderful first half of the movie, tragic second half.
I'll concentrate now on the 2nd half. The biggest question in my mind is trying to understand why Ya Wang would not go back to her boyfriend after what happened. I mean I understand it, but it would have been just as plausible to have them develop a new and stronger relationship after the traumatic event. They were very much in love prior to the event, and he was still committed to her even after what happened. Would have made for a happier ending if she had accepted him and stayed with him, but then we would not have had the dark, thought provoking ending about what would become of Ya Wang and the boy after his 7 year prison term for what he did for her. The boys total devotion to Ya Wang was so strong, you could tell soon after the event that Ya Wang would be connected to him forever in such a way that she would not able to be with anyone else.
As a side note, loved the second couple, the 'fake' beauty and 'bald' guy. I loved the scene where they 'exposed' themselves, in public and realizing that love is more than just physical appearance. Loved that they found their real selves.
Overall, a beautiful 1st half of movie, taking an ugly turn and then playing out the consequences of the life altering event. can't always have the happy ending, but i am ok with that.
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