Depends on what you want from a movie

I assume that you've read the synopsis, so I won't re-state the plot or story here.

I went into watching this because I wanted to see the movie for the OST (yeah, I heard Tan Dun's work and was curious), and didn't expect a complicated story. The story is subtle and it's point is not revealed until the very end - and even then the point of the movie is not a single scene, but several.

Told via flashbacks, the director uses color, and mis en scene to assist the them of the story. Indeed, it was the cinematography, set design, and low (but intelligent) use of CGI. Imagine, a Qin army in full regalia, in battle formations and in full costume. The images alone made the movie worth watching; or a shower of arrows that look realistic..

The acting seems wooden, but I don't think that's the point of having actors deliver lines in near emotionless delivery. The characters are focused, self-disciplined, and expert martial artists - which offers a counter to the Qin Emporer's seemingly stoic but dreaded presence.

The action scenes are excellent, and believable. In some scenes, the flowing of fabric during fight scenes are almost etherial, giving the characters an other-world quality for this non-Wuxia film.

Conclusion: if you are Jet Li fan and want to watch his technical mastery of portraying a martial artists, you'll love it. If not, give it a try because visually, the movie is stunning and impressive.

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First: the Complaint. Then a brief review :)

I'd like to begin with a pet peeve I have about the drama: Product Placements were annoying and obvious. Movies and TV shows in the US rarely use product placement, and if they do, it's notable and not woven into the dialogue; perhaps this is why I noticed them. Complain over.

Having just finished The Fiery Priest (I'm still laughing...I loved it so much), I was eager to watch another drama with Kim Nan Gil. The actor has range because his character in Through the Darkness is nearly opposite to his character in FP. Still, the supporting cast's roles where well-drawn and execute so that the change in mindset that occurs over time in the series can be seen as genuine and not forced by a story line.

Pacing was excellent. Not interminable episodes of flashbacks, backstory, or lingering over a case for too many episodes. The result is a story that is presented over time, giving the viewer the opportunity to see the development of the Behavioral Analysis approaches and methods.

So, if you like a police series that looks at how the Behavioral Analysis unit got its start, and don't want to devote months of your life getting through it, then I recommend this for 1) bingeability 2) an interesting story but won't make you feel lost trying to figure out who did it.

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Short Shopping List

This was funny and disturbing at the same time, and brief (any longer would have been a problem, IMO).

What I liked was how well the characters were drawn and acted. The physical comedy & timing between actors was excellent. This is the first comedy (other than the Fiery Priest and maybe Special Labor Inspector Joe) where the entire case carried the show, not just one or two actors, which is why I scored it as high as I did for acting and story. I also liked the uniqueness and interplay of the characters, I just wish they didn't go through suspecting each person before moving on to the real perpetrator, but I understand the writer's choice for that.

The series touches on some social issues of gender-based violence, queering, and child protection problems without being to heavy-handed. If you like happy endings then you'll like this series.

Laugh out loud / Spit out my drink scenes:
When to Do Ah Hee's father goes off on Daesong for the job he does and low motivation
When Ninja Grandpa showed up

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The set-up for the series was something I wasn't keen to watch: time travel. But the way the screenwriters handled it was novel for me.

This isn't a typical story of a no one who rises through the ranks of the court and administration. Everything happens quickly and while it seems like Fan Xian's quick wit, pluckiness, and martial arts propel him, there is something and someone (or ones?) that are helping and even hindering the talented Fan.

I won't spoil it, but while I'm waiting (impatiently for Part 2), I will share some quick observations:
~the story moves faster than I thought it would
~Bad-ass females who are smart and strong :)
~every new "crisis"/ difficulty builds on another
~character development and backstory are well-developed.
~costumes are well-done; fx and stunts are seamless
~camaraderie between Xian and his clique is funny and endearing without being forced. The relationship he has with his brother is laugh out loud funny.
~the ending is a bit of a "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?"
~Zhang Ruo Yun is adorable.

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I usually don't comment while watching a series...

...but this time I am, because I'm hoping that my MDL peers who have seen Vagabond will weigh in on my assessment.
Of course, Lee Sungi is amazing (his patented yelling at someone is in full effect...for reference, see the Gu Family Book), and all the actors are excellent. Except Suzi Bae. I don't know whether it is the script writing, her portrayal of the character, or both. The character seems really out of place for what should be a high-intensity drama. The story is excellent, but the execution of it sometimes seems to vacillate between seriousness, and foolishness. But that's only my view. Maybe something at the end of the series will help me understand why the character and / or her performance is so weak? I hope so.

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