I read some comment somewhere that Li Ni rise to power is based on Li Shimin, considered the founder of the greatest dynasty in China, the Tang dynasty, even though his father, emperor Gaozu was the first emperor. Wu Zetian, the only female emperor of China came from the Tang dynasty. In Cantonese, Tang, is the name of the Chinese people. Li Shimin, also known as Prince of Qin became emperor Taizong. He overthrew his brother, the crown prince in a counterattack, and his father abdicated. As Prince of Qin at age of 15, he was already married to Princess of Qin who was 13. The dispute for Crown Prince was the result of his older brother who was already Crown Prince was paranoid about Li Shimin who was quite the warrior with many war achievements held great military might in the empire. If not for Li Shimin encouraging and aiding his father, fought alongside him to rebel Sui dynasty, there would never have been Tang dynasty. Li Shimin also fought many wars to defeat contenders and unite the country. Li Shimin had to kill the Crown Prince and his other brother because they were planning to kill him in the famous historical Xuanwu Gate incident. So this movie really does reflect the tragedies in history.
It is no wonder in WoL, Li Ni did not desire the throne and did not want to watch his own children one day to also fight each other for it. But Ying has different perspective and values than he does. She was shaped by her mother who fought and willingly gave up her life to protect others and asked Ying to do the same, and her father is one of the three great generals who also taught her and shaped her to be tough and take control or else be controlled. She was shaped by both her parents to fight for the people. Li Ni on the other hand had no mother but a mean father who hated him and beat him as a kid and sent him away. He was only 13 when he left the palace. He never wanted to go back to it ever again but fate calls him. She is a great general's daughter and thinks like her father. In the begining of the movie, the Cui family goal was to exert power and influence over the throne because they view Li family incompetent and did not trust other corrput contenders. they felt they were righteous to lead. Both LI NI and Cui fight for the people but Li Ni does not want to rule the people; however, Ying knows that no matter how many battles you win, it is all in vain if a bad emperor rules, the people will still suffer. The two are at odds with each other. Li Ni just simply doesn't want to be part of politics, but he cannot escape his destiny. This story does reflect historical conflicts and tragedies but like Xu Kai said, there is sweetness and bitterness in the movie, more bitterness than sweetness, but happy ending. I'm only on episode 13 so I could be wrong but no matter how bitter, I won't cry because it is still light-hearted movie. If you want a tearjerker, this may not be it. If you want to enjoy beautiful cinematography with technical and artistic brilliance, decent acting, Xu Kai visuals that are off the charts (what other actor has his visuals), a sweet and bitter romance that ends well but is not thrilling or suspenseful nor make you depress but instead simply entertaining, captivating, satisfying, sweet, funny and fun to watch, then this movie is it. The bitterness is there but it's mostly chill, I think. but then I'm only on episode 13 since I"m watching for free. Xu Kai acting in WoL is a mix bag for me but overall solid and very good but not his personal best in every scene. He has some scenes where I think his acting is his personal best. I think he is very talented and will keep improving. Sometimes I swear I can read his mind and heart because he is so expressive. Xu Kai is built like a giraffe and as smooth and graceful as one. Has anyone noticed his long legs, his long hands, slender fingers, graceful movements, etc. He is like a piece of art to be admired and each time you look at him, you find something you did not see before because he is so expressive. His acting is natural, subtle, and expressive. He looks so good riding a horse, shooting arrows, fighting with spear, sword, and martial arts.
Speaking of destiny, I'm reminded of Star Wars when Darth Vader said to Luke Skywalker that he cannot escape his destiny and says to Luke "IT IS YOUR DESTINY". Luke "NO". We can say that Ying is Darth Vader and Li Ni is Luke. "Li Ni, It is your destiny". Li Ni: "No"
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The dispute for Crown Prince was the result of his older brother who was already Crown Prince was paranoid about Li Shimin who was quite the warrior with many war achievements held great military might in the empire. If not for Li Shimin encouraging and aiding his father, fought alongside him to rebel Sui dynasty, there would never have been Tang dynasty. Li Shimin also fought many wars to defeat contenders and unite the country. Li Shimin had to kill the Crown Prince and his other brother because they were planning to kill him in the famous historical Xuanwu Gate incident. So this movie really does reflect the tragedies in history.
It is no wonder in WoL, Li Ni did not desire the throne and did not want to watch his own children one day to also fight each other for it. But Ying has different perspective and values than he does. She was shaped by her mother who fought and willingly gave up her life to protect others and asked Ying to do the same, and her father is one of the three great generals who also taught her and shaped her to be tough and take control or else be controlled. She was shaped by both her parents to fight for the people. Li Ni on the other hand had no mother but a mean father who hated him and beat him as a kid and sent him away. He was only 13 when he left the palace. He never wanted to go back to it ever again but fate calls him. She is a great general's daughter and thinks like her father. In the begining of the movie, the Cui family goal was to exert power and influence over the throne because they view Li family incompetent and did not trust other corrput contenders. they felt they were righteous to lead.
Both LI NI and Cui fight for the people but Li Ni does not want to rule the people; however, Ying knows that no matter how many battles you win, it is all in vain if a bad emperor rules, the people will still suffer. The two are at odds with each other. Li Ni just simply doesn't want to be part of politics, but he cannot escape his destiny. This story does reflect historical conflicts and tragedies but like Xu Kai said, there is sweetness and bitterness in the movie, more bitterness than sweetness, but happy ending. I'm only on episode 13 so I could be wrong but no matter how bitter, I won't cry because it is still light-hearted movie. If you want a tearjerker, this may not be it. If you want to enjoy beautiful cinematography with technical and artistic brilliance, decent acting, Xu Kai visuals that are off the charts (what other actor has his visuals), a sweet and bitter romance that ends well but is not thrilling or suspenseful nor make you depress but instead simply entertaining, captivating, satisfying, sweet, funny and fun to watch, then this movie is it. The bitterness is there but it's mostly chill, I think. but then I'm only on episode 13 since I"m watching for free. Xu Kai acting in WoL is a mix bag for me but overall solid and very good but not his personal best in every scene. He has some scenes where I think his acting is his personal best. I think he is very talented and will keep improving. Sometimes I swear I can read his mind and heart because he is so expressive. Xu Kai is built like a giraffe and as smooth and graceful as one. Has anyone noticed his long legs, his long hands, slender fingers, graceful movements, etc. He is like a piece of art to be admired and each time you look at him, you find something you did not see before because he is so expressive. His acting is natural, subtle, and expressive. He looks so good riding a horse, shooting arrows, fighting with spear, sword, and martial arts.
Speaking of destiny, I'm reminded of Star Wars when Darth Vader said to Luke Skywalker that he cannot escape his destiny and says to Luke "IT IS YOUR DESTINY". Luke "NO". We can say that Ying is Darth Vader and Li Ni is Luke. "Li Ni, It is your destiny". Li Ni: "No"