An engaging and striking drama, let down by it's final few episodes

I went into My Journey to You blind, having been introduced to it through gifs that were being created on Tumblr. It was the cinematography that held my attention at first, yet after reading what this show was about I was instantly intrigued. A more mature story filled with intrigue and suspense, with an intricate spy network infiltrating its way into a powerful family that tries to route them out -- how could I not be interested? This show sounded so promising and interesting, I was eager to watch it.

For the most part, there is very little I dislike about this show. The beginning is fantastic; the pacing and tension of what is being set up for the story is engaging and draws you in instantly, the mystery of what's happening making you ask questions that have you wanting the next episode as soon as you can. The episodes can run quite long for a cdrama - roughly about an hour in length - and while some episodes that feels like enough, for others it can feel like they run a little too long .

The acting in this show is incredible, and there's not a character that I found to be frustrating or felt was out of place. I'd say some of the roles that stood out for me were that of Tian Jia Rui's Gong Yuanzhi, Cheng Lei's Gong Shangjue, Sun Chen Jun's Jin Fan, and Lu Yu Xiao's Shangguan Qian. But honestly, the entire cast stepped up and delivered in this show, and they should all be praised for the work they've done here.

I mentioned that the cinematography was the first thing to draw me into this show. Regardless of any of its flaws, My Journey to You is a masterpiece in this area. This was very obviously a big production, and the shots and camerawork that were used are something else. So many scenes look like works of art, and it truly elevates this show to another level altogether. I would go as far as to say it's probably one of the most beautiful dramas from the 2023 lineup, and there were quite a few stunning works that year!

I will say that for all of its strengths, this show does struggle towards its ending. I won't say much as I aim to keep this review spoiler-free, but I felt that the last few episodes made some odd choices: not all of them were good. The finale to this show is ... baffling, honestly. It sets up for the potential of a sequel, however I very much doubt that such a thing will come to light. As I mentioned, I came into this show blind and had no idea about the struggles and controversies that were wrapped around it (plagiarism allegations, investigations into sexual assault charges pressed against one of the supporting cast, arguments that this story 'borrowed' too much from Japanese dramas rather than more traditional Chinese ones), but having since read about them I can sort of see why this show ended as it did. In a way, it's rather a miracle this show was even released as it was - but I find myself glad that the audience got to watch it. So, while the ending may feel unsatisfactory for what had started out strong, it doesn't diminish the otherwise enjoyable show that it began as.

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A storyline that has potential, yet quickly grows repetitive and frustrating.

For the sake of this review, I watched the Netflix version of this show, which has all 63 episodes.

Ashes of Love has so much potential going for it, yet it sadly manages to fall flat in areas that should hold it in a stronger light. Before I talk about the things that hurt this show for me though, let me start by mentioning some of the positives:

- The show is visually beautiful. The set designs are so vivid and colourful, the costume and makeup design is stunning, and even the visual effects are great for the year of the show's release.
- The musical score for this show is lovely. No tracks feel tired of overused, and I could easily see myself listening to this soundtrack again in the future whilst working.
- The cast of actors themselves are very talented. For all I complain about the characters themselves, the actors did a fantastic job with what was given to them to work with.
- Yes, Luo Yunxi's Runyu steals this show. His character is probably the most fully fleshed out, well-rounded in the entire cast. Luo Yunxi's acting only enhances this, and his work shines despite the plot's strange directions.
- Other notable characters that brought me joy anytime they were on the screen were Suli, Kuang Li, Yan You, and Yuan Ji. (Yuan Ji, my beautiful fate immortal! How I wish you had more screentime in this show).

Now, to the negatives:

- This isn't a love story.
Oh, Ashes of Love tries to be one. It even classes itself as one. But for all intents and purposes, the romance in this is questionable. For the first half of the drama our main female lead, Jinmi, doesn't even have the ability to know or understand what love is. While her breaking of the curse which stops her from experiencing this could have been a fascinating journey, instead the viewer is stuck with watching as the two princes of the Immortal Realm - Deng Lun's Xufeng and Luo Yunxi's Runyu - take advantage of her naivety to fight over their own affections for her. Heck, even other characters outside of this love triangle are doing their best to plot about whom Jinmi should marry, while Jinmi herself is just 'sure, whatever, I'm just having fun'. Even later, when she does break the curse and learn what love is, neither Xufeng nor Runyu are deserving of her, as they continuously use her as a pawn in their own petty game.
The only time I ever felt that the romantic relationships between the characters in this love triangle were truly well written and fleshed out were during the arc where Jinmi and Xufeng experience their trials as mortals. During that period the viewer thinks 'oh, okay! So after they finish the trial and return to the Heavenly realm, they'll come out more experienced in life and better their understanding!' Haha no, that doesn't happen at all. In fact, the happenings after their return are probably the most frustrating on the entire show for me.

- This show gets repetitive.
So many interesting things happen storywise in this show. Yet ... they're all in the background, an almost secondary addition to the constant ping-ponging between the main love triangle. I hope you're in for 63 episodes of Jinmi going 'I'll marry Xufeng' 'no wait! I'll marry Runyu, because that's what was promised' 'no no, wait again! I'll marry Xufeng for sure, because I actually love him (I think?)' 'haha no, I'll marry Runyu because Xufeng hates me now' 'but ... if I visit Xufeng this one last time ... maybe he'll at least forgive me!'
Even the side pairing in this show - Liu Ying and Muci - spend a good thirty episodes running backward and forwards between one another. It's so irritating! The same problems keep happening for this cast, and yet instead of the show solving them and letting the story naturally evolve, it just rehashes them again under a new umbrella.

- Xufeng and Jinmi are self-obsessed.
Okay, so. This is actually a problem that also lies with other characters too - even Runyu suffers from it - but I noticed this particularly with Xufeng and Jinmi once they returned from their mortal trial. So this focus will be the main example I use for just how frustrating this show can get.
During Xufeng and Jinmi's trials in the mortal realm, the story also begins to take us in the direction of - in my opinion - one of the most important and interesting plots Ashes of Love has to offer. Through Yan You's guidance, Runyu learns the truth of his childhood, including his parentage and why it is the Heavenly Empress hates him so. I won't spoil too much of this arc, but tragedy strikes during this arc which is the catalyst for pushing Runyu's character to make the decisions he does later.
When Xufeng and Jinmi return, Runyu is secluded and grieving. Now, throughout the show up until this point, the viewer has been shown that Xufeng cares deeply for his brother, and Jinmi has developed a very strong friendship with Runyu, her fish Immortal friend.
Neither one of these two characters check in on him at any point in time.
It's not due to them not knowing what happened to him - they do, it's made very clear - but instead, they're so absorbed in their own honeymoon happiness that nothing outside their own bubble matters. It's another act of the show forcing this romance on us, without making it feel natural, or letting these characters continue their other important relationships outside of their romantic interests. Later, when Runyu finally strikes back for all that's been done to him, there's very little sympathy the viewer can feel towards the other characters because ... yeah, we saw this happening. We saw the neglect, abuse, and trauma this character was put through that suddenly we don't feel bad for him acting as he does.

I can go on, but this review is already getting long.
If, like me, you're tired of out-dated clichés and female characters who aren't allowed the chance to grow and be themselves, then this show isn't for you. I mentioned on my Tumblr that this is probably perfect for a younger audience who do love shows that aren't heavy on substance, but if you're looking for something with complex characters and story and a romance that feels authentic ... it's not Ashes of Love. Save yourself time and watch something else.

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Entertaining at first, but derails quickly in the second act.

I was really enjoying this show at the start and thought that although not the best show I've ever seen, it certainly wasn't as bad as people were suggesting. I briefly wondered if perhaps the bad reviews I'd seen were just a product of the internet being too harsh as usual, but once Legend of Chong Zi hits the second act ... oh do all the problems start showing themselves clearly.

The story ping pongs back and forth so much that it becomes exhausting along the way as to what the characters are doing or thinking, and honestly apart from a very select few most of the characters are so cruel and stupid in their decision-making to the point that it’s frustrating to watch, and doesn’t really add much to the already weakened plot. One moment Chong Zi is in love and wants to be an Immortal, the next she's feeling (rightfully) betrayed, and wants to use her demonic power to fix things her way. Then an episode later, she's in love and wants to ignore her demonic heritage -- the cycle continues like that throughout the show all the way until the end.

The main pairing feels weirdly forced throughout the story (although I think this problem partly has more to do with scene cuts and censorship, as I heard it got chopped around a lot due to the nature of the master/pupil relationship) and the number of people that are involved in whatever love hexagon? pentagon? that's created is something else.

No, really. It feels like so many people are either in love with the main female lead, or are in love with the main male lead. And it's not in a way that feels fleshed out and developed either.

Things I really did enjoy whilst watching however include the gorgeous graphics on the set designs, as well as the beautiful costumes. Both Qin Ke and Wang Yue are really interesting characters, although both deserved to be fleshed out far more. I also enjoyed the side stories of the other couples that were shown too and felt that those were far more interesting than whatever the main couple had going on.

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The movie that started it all, and still stands strong today.

Godzilla (1954) is not just an important movie for pop culture, but also one that delivers a strong message that still resonates with audiences today.

The history and inspiration for this film and its creature creation are fascinating. This movie was released barely ten years after the events of the Second World War, and offers commentary on a post-war Japan which is still left with the after-effects of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The now iconic monster Godzilla was intended as a metaphor for nuclear weapons, and in this 1954 movie we see him as a force of nature fighting back against the humans which disturbed the natural order of things during their war.

Godzilla (1954) poses many questions to its viewer, both to an audience in the 50's and to one today. We have characters that wish to see nothing but the destruction of this creature, as it threatens and destroys everything they know. Some characters wish it no harm and want to study it, amazed by both its ability to survive and adapt to nuclear attack and also the fact that it even exists at all. There are characters who create weapons that rival the power of an H Bomb, and are posed with the decision of hiding such research away out of fear for what it falling into the wrong hands will do, or using it to save Japan and, potentially, the world.

The film from a production point of view is a product of its time, yet a strong one. For one it is entirely in black and white, which may already put some viewers off if they're not used to this. But considering the technology of the 50's I'd have to say the set, prop and costume design are strong. Scenes where Godzilla destroys the city hold up well, and the miniatures and costuming of the creature are perhaps still some of the best in those Godzilla movies that use practical effects. I'd say the lack of colour also adds to this, and acts as an aid to the movie's overall tone and mood.

All in all, Godzilla (1954) is one of - if not the - essential movie to watch for any Godzilla fan. After all, if it wasn't for this masterpiece of cinema, we wouldn't have equally as wonderful movies that follow in its predecessors' footsteps - such as Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi's 2016 Shin Godzilla, or Takashi Yamazaki's more recent 2023 stand-out entry to the franchise, Godzilla Minus One.

*Additional note for any who read this review and are interested in watching Godzilla (1954) because of it, please be aware that the 1956 American and International versions of this film were heavily edited and cut, including scenes with Canadian Actor Raymond Burr, and retitled Godzilla, King of the Monsters! Until 2004, this was the only version of the movie that existed internationally outside of Japan in any official capacity. Do check which version you have before watching, as much is lost in the Americanization compared to the original version of the movie.

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