Classic Wuxia with top acting from the ML
I enjoyed this grand epic of a tale and I was surprised and grateful for the extra episode giving me an alternate ending.
2023 and I decided to watch this 2016 Wuxia, romance fantasy so even though the special effects are impressive, (the steam punk flying machines are a hoot), some can seem dated. There are tropes galore, however, perhaps less dated at the time. You can expect glamorous castles, bloody fight scenes, evil wicked queen, a species that some members able to grow impressive wings and fly, second ML syndrome and enemies to lovers.
Zhang Ruo Yun plays the ML Feng Tian Yi and he is standout in this standout, layered role and gets to act out various personnas with flair. He has a lot of presence bringing nuance to his acting utilising facial expression and body language.
The FL, Yi Fu Ling, played by Guan Xiao Tong, despite her extensive acting credentials, paled next to Xiao Tong.
There are lots of costume changes, I kept chuckling as I wondered whose wardrobe is the FL raiding.
The evil queen is suitably scary and is killed off along with her clever ex husband the mysterious creator of all the engineering marvels including the flying city.
Lots of action, magic, machines and fantasy to keep me interested.
Some plot holes and the usual lack of communication leading to misunderstandings (lazy writing) to be expected from Chinese Wuxia. Overall still good entertainment.
2023 and I decided to watch this 2016 Wuxia, romance fantasy so even though the special effects are impressive, (the steam punk flying machines are a hoot), some can seem dated. There are tropes galore, however, perhaps less dated at the time. You can expect glamorous castles, bloody fight scenes, evil wicked queen, a species that some members able to grow impressive wings and fly, second ML syndrome and enemies to lovers.
Zhang Ruo Yun plays the ML Feng Tian Yi and he is standout in this standout, layered role and gets to act out various personnas with flair. He has a lot of presence bringing nuance to his acting utilising facial expression and body language.
The FL, Yi Fu Ling, played by Guan Xiao Tong, despite her extensive acting credentials, paled next to Xiao Tong.
There are lots of costume changes, I kept chuckling as I wondered whose wardrobe is the FL raiding.
The evil queen is suitably scary and is killed off along with her clever ex husband the mysterious creator of all the engineering marvels including the flying city.
Lots of action, magic, machines and fantasy to keep me interested.
Some plot holes and the usual lack of communication leading to misunderstandings (lazy writing) to be expected from Chinese Wuxia. Overall still good entertainment.
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