The Knight of Shadows Between Yin and Yang (2019)

The Knight of Shadow : (9.5/10.0)

[WARNING: the rating and review I give have the possibility to be subjective due to my preference for the genres, scenes or casts]

So, I watched this movie at the cinema. I'm not watching this to see Jackie Chan, but to see Austin Lin (^o^) (I'm so sorry, Jackie XD) And oh my God, I always laugh when he come to the screen! Especially when he dressed up like a woman! (^o^)

For the story, I love how the story taste light in the beginning and then become heavy from middle to end without leave the comedy aspect. A little minus point from me is a 3D animation for Caichen when he standing (or flying should I say) at the Lanruo. For me, the standing pose is simple enough, they no need to use the 3D animation. That's my opinion tho (^_^)

After all, I will watch this movie again for sure (^_^)

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The last time I watched Chan's movie it was really horrible, I fell asleep during the playing!! However, since Ethan Juan is here and the CGI was looking pretty awesome, I finally decided to give this one a try. I would say though, the movie isn't the best, but it's really enjoyable. The CGI is really smooth and the shots are also pretty great. The actors however, I'm not really a big fan of their acting, especially the two lovers, not enough emotions. As for the ending, I didn't really expect much actually from Chinese movies/drama, they tend to have, you know a MEHH ending, but I think this one is okay.

PS: Can we talk about the costumes though, GORGEOUS as usual, great job China!!

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Waste of a good concept

This movie suffers from the typical modern Chinese movie affliction : it lets the CGI take centre stage and ultimately the story suffers for it.

While the CGI is good, it has no story to tell. It is just eye candy and nothing more. What is more disheartening is that this movie had a great story concept. It would have been better to let the story lead and decide where and when CGI is needed to enhance the tale. As it is, the movie felt like a collection of scenes that showcases CGI magic that does little to better the story.

Without revealing too much detail and risking a spoiler, this movie is a re-imagining of the classic Chinese ghost story of Nie Xiaoqian and Ning Chaichen. However, I felt that it spent too much time with Po Songling (Jackie Chan) rather than to develop the relationship between Xiaoqian and Chaichen. The first third of the movie can be shortened as it spent too much time introducing Po Songling and Yan Fei; who is totally unnecessary as a character here.

Time would have been better spent to tell us more about the backstory of Xiaoqian and Chaichen which was reduced to an animated flashback segment lasting about 3 minutes.

The acting in the movie was so-so. Jackie Chan didn't look like he was giving his best. The rest of the cast were decent but the lead roles deserved so much more. Sad to say more time were dedicated to bringing in CGI characters like the pig demon and the thousand-hand demon than to develop the chemistry and/or conflict between Xiaoqian and Chaichen.

One can't help but to wonder how much better this movie could have been if enough care was given to tell a story rather than to showcase some CGI imagery.

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