This review may contain spoilers
So when Noble Aspirations (drama version) came out, to the time when I just finished the Journey Of Flower and was a HUGE fan of Zhao Li Ying , I was super looking forward to that drama. I can't recall at what exact point I decided to drop it but I remember being annoyed by the witlessness of Li Yi Feng's Zhang Xiao Fan and the expressionlessness of Yang Zi's Lu Xue Qi. I didn't even make it to the scenes where Zhao Li Ying's Bi Yao was getting important as a role before I dropped the whole series. That being said, the only character I really felt and a reason why I watched to where I watched was Tina Tang's portrayal of Tian Ling'er; so I was very happy to see that the movie version casted the same actress. As it turned out, all the actors and actresses of this piece did a really really great job with the roles they were given. They were just so believable and really lovely. I loved all of them.And that's why I am beyond furied that the script does them and their acting ability no justice at all. The script really didn't manage to tell a convincing and coherent story about either character development, including their relationships, or the actual plot. The first half of the movie worked for me because I enjoyed how Xiao Fan's background was built. So with the help of Xiao Zhan's acting I quickly bought into the whole premise (which is not a extraordinary one but another typical wuxia drama set up; I won't complain though because I know what to expect when picking these movies and dramas to watch) and as I said, in the movie, Zhang Xiao Fan as a character was very believable. However, when I realised that half of the screen time has passed but nothing major has really happened yet, I knew that I was in for no good. Because there was just no way the movie would be able to show all the conflicts, action scenes and character development in mere 50 minutes. And I was right. After the middle part everything was super rushed and gave the viewer no time to follow emotionally or plot wise. The scenes between Xiao Fan and Lu Xue Qi as well as Bi Yao were good and cute but they were just not enough to feel / see both of these female characters falling for him or to understand why they did what they did in the end. Suddenly, after several attempts to kill Xiao Fan, Bi Yao cared for him as she was defending him against her father and even sacrificed her life? Where was all of that coming from? As for Lu Xue Qi, their relationship was a tiny bit more convincing but still confusing because they literally just bumped into each other twice and it was only that scene where he saved her that they had a one and only proper interaction (but not even looking at one another). I guess it was in that scene that Xue Qi realised how good of a person Xiao Fan is and she started to sympathise with him. But again, this is not a good enough foundation for her to go against her Master's words when we have learned how important she considers her loyalty to her Master, saying "My life belongs to my Master". Thus at the end, when Xiao Fan went crazy and all the people who were caring for him were sacrificing themselves in different ways just to save him, there was little emotional impact, because you didn't feel their bond (to that extent) in the first place. And then the movie just ends.... I have no problem with open endings as long as it's done properly but this movie just doesn't. Just because there will be a second part, doesn't mean the first one doesn't need to have any kind of closure or to explain some of the open plot points. If you can't manage that....then produce a drama instead? At least that's what I thought at the end of the movie. Just imagine 30 or so episodes of this beautiful cast and their relationships played out properly; with the same costumes because i thought they were really well done and beautiful, especially our female leads' <3 I even loved all their hair even though some people thought they were weird ....ah and not to forget 30 or so episodes of Xiao Zhan..... kekekekeke
But nevertheless I don't regret watching this, because i'm just head over heels for the whole cast (if you're not, I guess it's not really worth watching) and I'm kind of intrigued about the story (not so much about the evil bead part but more so about the romance...because i'm a sucker for romance and i reeeeaaally want to know who Xiao Fan ends up with; so I might be giving the novel a go :)
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Fast Moving - Everything Goes in a Blur
After The Untamed, Jade Dynasty is a much hyped movie because of its main male lead, Xiao Zhan, the most popular Chinese actor currently. Many viewers, including myself, love Xiao Zhan in The Untamed playing the character Wei Wuxian. In this review, I’m trying to be objective despite my love for the actor.I’ve never read the novel related to this movie but I have watched the drama Noble Aspiration. I cannot say I was impressed by the drama; I found it too draggy, to the extent of becoming boring to watch. When it comes to the movie, it has to pack 55 episodes of the drama into about one and a half hours of the whole story. Things get moving very fast (in the movie). A big segment of the time is involved in fighting, which is pretty good at some scenes, especially the fight choreography performed by Xiao Zhan. However, there’s not enough time for character development. We hardly get to view the Bi Yao character properly; she’s simply just in and out of the scenes. There’s no time to see her and Zhang Xiao Fan’s relationship development, let alone how they fall in love with each other. We do get a peek at how Xiao Fan loves his shijie and how well she has treated him from young, how close he is with his shixiongs (senior brothers). I do prefer the Zhang Xiao Fan character played by Xiao Zhan than by Li Yi Feng. In Jade Dynasty, Zhang Xiao Fan is lovable and selfless but not lacking in his playfulness and silliness, whereas the Li Yi Feng’s portrayal in Noble Aspiration is a super slow person in every sense, so much so that many viewers are being put off by the un-charismatic character.
It is interesting to note that the Zhang Xiao Fan character is slightly similar to the Wei Wuxian character in The Untamed – among others, innocent young boy turns demonic; upstanding, altruistic and loved by all surrounding him; loves and adores his shijie (senior sister).
The whole movie is light-hearted, at times funny, but mostly cartoonish. For me, it is quite a letdown. Maybe I have geared up too high hope in the first place.
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I can see there will be part two of this movie, let it be the same guy. Great acting still, love it
This one is a must watch movie, all the characters were great to look at. The way the character growth happen for Xiao was amazing and the location, the flowers the scene oh wonderful. But above all like Xiao Fan character more. People, if u have not see it and also a fan of this amazing main lead guy go and watch or if u are a fan of the novel I bet u u will loved it as well.
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Watching the movie and the Behind the Scenes clips make me appreciate the director and casts are trying to convey to the audiences.
As for some people who are dissing Xiao Zhan...wipe your butt with poison ivy leaves. I try to find some moments that were weird for him, but can't find it. As for Meng Qi, she was great and believable.
I do got to say that the hairstyles for some characters were a bit offlandish. But hey, it's a fantasy movie.
Part two of Jade Dynasty is a must see. I really encourage the director would use the same casts for part two to make a seamless connection with part one.
Xiao Zhan...(probably not reading this)...you are the BOMB!!! Cute upper body image!!! (Wiping my drool!)
I look forward in watching your future acting and singing. (Don't forget to sing...your song in the movie is great!).
Keep fighting!!
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Skip the movie but watch Noble Aspirations (drama) instead
Completed - 1/8/2022I watched "Noble Aspirations" 1 & 2 about four months ago, so I still remember the drama well enough. I noticed a movie adaptation and was interested in it. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, it's really difficult to pack all that happened in the novel and the dramas into a short movie. If you haven't read the book or watch the dramas, you might be confused. The scene changes often from one plot to another. There is just not enough time to develop the characters and their relationships in this drama. Because it's so short, if feel like everything is done half-haphazardly.
The saving grace might be Xiao Zhan's acting. He did well portraying an innocent boy to a vengeful villain. The other actors did fine as well. I am a fan of Li Qin and I like her portrayal of Lu Xue Qi here, and more so than Yang Zi's drama version.
This is Jade Dynasty 1, does it mean there's a Jade Dynasty 2? But since it's been a few years and we haven't seen one yet, it's very likely a new movie will not happen.
I would only recommend you watch this if you are a fan of Xiao Zhan, and you have nothing else to watch. I actually quite enjoy Noble Aspirations and would recommend you watch the drama instead. Here's my review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/voicelesslove/review/171507
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Watch it for the female characters or Xiao Zhan - either way you won't be disappointed
In case anyone is wondering, I picked this movie to see if Xiao Zhan is fun to watch without Wang Yi Bo. I am happy to report……the answer is YES. And if any of you reading this review haven’t watched The Untamed….For Heaven’s Sake! Stop reading and start the drama!Story: Jade Dynasty is the story of Zhang Xiao Fan who is orphaned (or at least it looks like it) and apprentices with a sect and is a hopeless bumbling practitioner of martial arts. Everyone in the sect loves him like a brother and he appears to have a strange but loving place to live. There’s a big contest amongst all the secs and he gets to go….kinda like Cinderella because he’s not remotely qualified. Somehow, he has a special rock that merges with a stick and it becomes a weapon…..then all hell breaks loose.
Characters: I didn’t like the character of Zhang Xiao Fan at first. He was just too nice and too perfect. I did love all the female characters. Man oh man were there some fun female characters from his adopted older sister to an enemy or girlfriend (I’m still not sure) and then a kick-butt swords woman from another sect. The male characters were almost as interesting.
The problem with this show is it should have been a drama instead of movie. There is so much back story that could have made this more interesting. I almost felt like I was left hanging. How did he get the rock? What about these fun female characters? Can we see more of them? Who killed his parents? What the heck with that demon guy? Which female does Zhang Xiao Fan actually like? Can we see more of Zhang Xiao Fan now that his voice has changed and he looks a little demonic?
Did I love this movie? YOU BETCHA!!! XIAO ZHAN WAS THAT GOOD! Man oh man. From naïve boy to a kind of demon (and a sexy one at that) he was so so so so. I don’t know but whatever it is, Xiao Zhan has it. Yes, the female characters were wonderful even with the short story (especially Lu Xue Qi with her conflicted self – I could have watched a whole movie about her story.)
The music was cool and yes…..I’m going to watch this again to see if I can see who killed his parents. Just saying……This should have been a 30 episode drama, not a movie. So watch it for the story or the strong female representation or just for Xiao Zhan. Don’t expect him to play another Wei Wuxian. His performance as Zhang Xiao Fan was just different enough that I enjoyed it and didn’t wonder where Lan Zhan was.
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I watched this last night, with GREAT EXPECTATIONS...it was so hyped that I thought , Ok let's watch this when it comes out.
I can't say I'm dissapointed, but neither can I say I understand what the HYPE was about.
For people who don't know the story, I think this is rather confusing, so even though I rated the story 8.5 in reality I only did so because I actually know the story as a whole.
I do believe the Hype was mainly because of the main lead actor Sean Xiao (UNTAMED), he does deliver, but... I enjoyed Li Qin in the role of Lu Xue Qi, I do believe she captured the depth of her character it was beautiful to see her throughout the movie, as for Meng Mei Qi in the role of Bi Yao, I enjoyed the funny bits.
Had no liking whatsoever for Tina Tang as Tian Ling Er...
I loved the brothers and their interactions...
So if you plan to watch this DO WATCH it was somewhat entertaining, BUT I have seen better and I've seen worse.
It's up to you ... Is it worth your time? It was worth mine, otherwise I would not even write about it...
XOXO
Uni
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I think series-based films suffer the same evil
I had the same impression as when I watched the movie based on Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms. Trying to complete a series in a few hours can be a headache. I don't think the director has done worse than the director of the other film, too much information in a short time can make a good story stick with the plot.I didn't think the performance was bad, the actors did what the script said, whether they liked it or not. Xiaofan's personality for Wei Wuxian may have been a shock if people came straight from The Untemad, but it should be noted that the two characters are completely different, and from what Xiao Zhan's performance has been, he followed the script . I think his acting skills are very good, being a brave character or not, smart or not, he got into the character and did what the character required to be done.
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shallow story with a good cast
Okay, so i decided to watch this movie because Xiao Zhan is playing the main roll. And he plays it great!The story is pretty shallow tho, a lot of unanswered questions are remaining in the end and the whole thing doesn't really make sense tbh. What I like about it is that Xiao Zhan is playing no hero or someone who is just naturally super talented. He's just a normal dude who happens to be caught up in this whole mess. It's no typical "the good people win and all the demons die" story, rather the opposite and that's just way more interesting in my opinion!
The cast is nice, beside Xiao Zhan we also see Li Qin, who plays the main roll in many other famous dramas!
Music is great, really can't say anything bad about it!
Visual FXs are uhm yeah really bad, but I didn't expect them to be good in the first place since this is clearly a low budget movie, so it's okay.
All in all Xiao Zhan really carries the whole movie and he looks pretty damn cool in it, especially in the end. I think it was kinda worth watching just for that lol. It's also quite funny, so i don't regret watching it :)
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A good funny movie up until the climax
Xiao Zhan was amazing in it.The movie was funny up until the climax. There were solid funny stuff happening continuously in the movie that I was out of breath from laughing too much at times.
The story set up was good.The climax seemed almost like this movie needed two parts to finish.
Also it almost seemed like Xiao Zhan has three female leads. Don't want to explain as it can become a spoiler.
I may not really know if this has an upcoming second part where more things could be explained. If not for the climax this was a solid 10/10.
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