spicyeggroll
This review may contain spoilers
Beauty and the Beast but make it about fish people
Not gonna lie I kinda liked this movie...
I feel like fantastical romance movies with happy endings are few and far between when it comes to Chinese cinema. Although I don't know the tale this movie was inspired by in "Strange Tales of Liao Zhai" (there's like, tons of adaptations for the stories in there), to me it's straight up Beauty and the Beast. And personally, I could rewatch BatB retellings all day, any day, so of course this would be a hit for me.
Thank you Productive Procrastination for the subs!
PROS
❀ Fast-paced storytelling that manages to fit a lot | It felt like I watched an entire drama in these 2 hours. Obviously it's much harder to get onboard the romance and chemistry due to the inherent rushed nature of the plot, but it's the price you gotta pay for romance movies, lol.
❀ Low-key surprised at the CGI/visuals | I don't except much when it comes to CGI in Chinese films/dramas, but I was pleasantly surprised at the ones seen here. The fighting scenes were elaborate and fun, the romantic scenes/scenery were gorgeous (if fake), and the settings in general were very fantastical. I liked it!
Another note on the production value: It was way more intricate than I expected, including background instrumental music, which made it easy to get immersed in the story.
❀ Main couple was easy to cheer for | Their romance isn't deep, but typical to what you would find in a BatB retelling. The FL's acting was not too bad (she's so pretty!). I didn't like her character in Intense Love, but at least in this movie her character's actively trying to escape her fate and figure out the mysteries.
❀ Pretty OST | I'm a fan of the ballad song that comes up when the leads get together. It's called "The Song of the Sea in My Heart" and fits well with the dramatic tones of this movie.
❀ Happy ending!!! | With a nice, intense kiss scene in the middle of the movie too. Swoon!
CONS
✕ Cheesiness | It do be kinda cheesy at times. Also, there was so much happening in the last half that got me shook (a combo of the writing + acting + graphic effects). Not a bad shook! Like a "whoa, okay, that's happening" shook. Prepare yourself.
✕ Why did the ML have such an indifferent expression the whole time? | Mans took "brooding" to another level.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | No misunderstandings happen outside the classical BatB storyline.
OVERALL
If you're looking for a quick fantasy romance, this movie delivers. It features all the components of Beauty and the Beast, gorgeous (but fake) backgrounds, low key well-done action scenes, and a happily ever after!
I feel like fantastical romance movies with happy endings are few and far between when it comes to Chinese cinema. Although I don't know the tale this movie was inspired by in "Strange Tales of Liao Zhai" (there's like, tons of adaptations for the stories in there), to me it's straight up Beauty and the Beast. And personally, I could rewatch BatB retellings all day, any day, so of course this would be a hit for me.
Thank you Productive Procrastination for the subs!
PROS
❀ Fast-paced storytelling that manages to fit a lot | It felt like I watched an entire drama in these 2 hours. Obviously it's much harder to get onboard the romance and chemistry due to the inherent rushed nature of the plot, but it's the price you gotta pay for romance movies, lol.
❀ Low-key surprised at the CGI/visuals | I don't except much when it comes to CGI in Chinese films/dramas, but I was pleasantly surprised at the ones seen here. The fighting scenes were elaborate and fun, the romantic scenes/scenery were gorgeous (if fake), and the settings in general were very fantastical. I liked it!
Another note on the production value: It was way more intricate than I expected, including background instrumental music, which made it easy to get immersed in the story.
❀ Main couple was easy to cheer for | Their romance isn't deep, but typical to what you would find in a BatB retelling. The FL's acting was not too bad (she's so pretty!). I didn't like her character in Intense Love, but at least in this movie her character's actively trying to escape her fate and figure out the mysteries.
❀ Pretty OST | I'm a fan of the ballad song that comes up when the leads get together. It's called "The Song of the Sea in My Heart" and fits well with the dramatic tones of this movie.
❀ Happy ending!!! | With a nice, intense kiss scene in the middle of the movie too. Swoon!
CONS
✕ Cheesiness | It do be kinda cheesy at times. Also, there was so much happening in the last half that got me shook (a combo of the writing + acting + graphic effects). Not a bad shook! Like a "whoa, okay, that's happening" shook. Prepare yourself.
✕ Why did the ML have such an indifferent expression the whole time? | Mans took "brooding" to another level.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | No misunderstandings happen outside the classical BatB storyline.
OVERALL
If you're looking for a quick fantasy romance, this movie delivers. It features all the components of Beauty and the Beast, gorgeous (but fake) backgrounds, low key well-done action scenes, and a happily ever after!
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