Reviews

A Nationalistic, Cringe-Inducing Mess That Ruins a Classic with Modern Propaganda and Creepy Romance

What's most important to know?
​Tsui Hark completely strips away the soul, adventure, and organic growth of Jin Yong’s original masterpiece. By aggressively cutting out the first 33 chapters, the film rushes straight into heavy-handed, mainland state-style political propaganda about "serving the nation." Worse, the poorly paced, deeply uncomfortable romantic dynamic between the leads feels entirely unearned, creepy, and borderline predatory given how rushed and immature the character setups are. It’s a 1/10 disaster that swaps genuine wuxia chivalry for modern political pandering.

A absolute trainwreck that feels more like a mainland state-mandated lecture than a martial arts epic.
​The Story: Rushed Pacing and Blatant Propaganda
​By chopping off the entire first half of the novel, the film obliterates any actual character development. We are expected to care about Guo Jing and Huang Rong instantly, but their relationship comes off as incredibly forced and deeply uncomfortable. The adaptation completely mishandles the youthful innocence of the characters, turning what should be a classic coming-of-age romance into a cringe-inducing, bizarrely paced relationship that feels entirely inappropriate.
​Worse yet is the transparent political agenda. Jin Yong’s classic line, "A Great Gallant serves the nation and its people," is stripped of its historical nuance and weaponized as modern, heavy-handed Communist Chinese propaganda. The entire plot is narrowed down to blind nationalism and sacrificing family (like Li Ping’s forced suicide) for the state. Turning a beloved fantasy adventure into a mouthpiece for modern state ideology is utterly exhausting to watch.
​Acting & Cast: Zero Chemistry
​The acting is completely wooden. The lead actors have absolutely zero chemistry, making the romance feel even more unnatural and hard to watch. Guo Jing isn't portrayed as "pure-hearted and slow-witted"—he comes across as utterly brainless, making it impossible to believe that a brilliant character like Huang Rong would blindly follow him around. The legendary Ouyang Feng is reduced to a screaming, cartoonish caricature once he goes mad from the reversed Nine Yin Manual. There is no emotional weight to any of the sacrifices; it’s just actors shouting lines at a green screen.
​Production, Music, and Action
​Don't expect the classic, gritty Tsui Hark style of the 1990s. This film is bloated with cheap, over-saturated CGI that looks like a modern Chinese mobile game. The final battle at Xiangyang is just a messy barrage of special effects where the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms look like generic superhero energy blasts. The music is equally terrible—loud, overblown, and aggressively nationalistic, constantly telling the audience exactly when they are supposed to feel patriotic.
​Conclusion
​If you want genuine wuxia, skip this entirely. It is a cynical, state-pleasing product that completely ruins Jin Yong's legacy, butchering a classic romance and replacing it with unearned sentimentality and loud political messaging. Avoid at all costs.

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This documentary taught me more about the fish trade in Japan than I ever thought I would want to know -- which is the best kind of documentary.
However, squeamish people should maybe approach this one with caution. We see fish being killed and filleted in close-ups; even I, who is not normally fazed, felt vaguely uncomfortable when the vendors used a thin rod and pushed it into the fish to crush their spines (so they'd be paralysed but still alive).

The films looks at the different kinds of vendors and workers who work at Tsukiji Fish Market, which is the largest and most important fish market in Japan. We get to see their work day (rather: night), and, more importantly, their relationships with each other: While yes, there's a rivalry going on, the workers and vendors are also aware that they are dependent from each other -- not only vertically (from wholesaler to grocer to consumer) but also horizontally; because in the end, they are all dependent on the market's good reputation.
Of course, the docu also shows the famous Japanese working spirit, the pride in providing excellent service and products and all the traditions that come with it. However, it doesn't hide that new eating habits of the Japanese people as well as the declining birth rates have already changed the market, and a further decline is expected.
One thing to know is that this docu was made in 2016, so ten years ago. Near the end, they tell us that there are changes coming to the market (if I understood it correctly, the wanted to built a new market?). I wonder how Tsukiji market is doing nowadays?

There is only one aspect I wasn't too fond of: That the narrator spoke English, not Japanese. For me, this disrupts the general vibe and it's not needed at all, especially since everything else was in Japanese and we need the subtitles anyway.

Personally, I would have loved to see even more of the behind-the-scenes and the history of the building but that's not a complaint, because we get to see plenty already.
Recommended.

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Wow. There wasn't even an animal to lose and I feel so down after finishing this movie.

What they wrote for Mao Shiba was wholly unexpected and so sad!

I started off just thinking, "Aw, look at baby Yang Yang with his floppy hair and comically large glasses," and being happy at his sweet relationship, and then Chubby's storyline happened and I felt a sense of foreboding.

I knew that he wasn't going to get a happy ending, but I wasn't sure which half of his couple was going to get that outcome (because obviously the phone thief gang was going to ruin things with a knife).

Story-wise, the writers made the right choice, but for goodness' sake. My heart.

(Okay, also, that quick phone call that happened during the credits about Chen Mo's upcoming wedding between Chubby and...was that Mao Shiba?!)

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it’s only porn if you think it is

When I first watched Double Exposure, there were no subtitles, so without any context, I could only appreciate its visuals. At first glance, those visuals appeared highly erotic—almost pornographic.

When I finally watched it again with subtitles, the film became something entirely different. The dialogue, though seemingly simple and understated, added remarkable depth and dimension to the story. It transformed what initially felt like a purely visual experience into an exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and human connection.

I also found myself wondering how a Korean production company had the courage to make such a daring film. Had it been produced in parts of Europe, it might have been viewed less as something controversial and more as an artistic or educational exploration of sexuality. Cultural context inevitably shapes how audiences perceive a film like this.

I admired the actors for pushing beyond conventional boundaries, knowing they risked criticism or even being marginalized within their own industry. Learning that this was their first acting role made their performances even more impressive. They played their characters with complete conviction. Their chemistry felt natural and unforced, as though the attraction between them genuinely existed. Their body language and facial expressions conveyed everything that words could not.

The film’s nudity, including its full-frontal scenes, never struck me as gratuitous. It felt honest and matter-of-fact—more akin to the casual nudity one encounters in a Korean spa, where there is no malice or voyeurism attached to the human body. It was simply presented as part of the characters’ reality.

If I had one criticism, it would be the editing. While I appreciate the deliberate pacing and lingering shots, a few sequences became confusing, and tighter editing could have made the narrative flow more cohesively.
The NC-17 scenes were executed with remarkable restraint and authenticity. They never felt forced or inserted merely for shock value. The kiss, in particular, was beautifully performed—so genuine that it became easy to forget these were actors simply fulfilling a role.

There will undoubtedly be those who dismiss the film because of its explicit content. But I can’t help wondering: if the same story were told between a man and a woman, would it be judged differently?
For me, Double Exposure is ultimately a work of art. Art, when created without malice or exploitation, is an expression of humanity. This film may challenge its audience, but beneath its explicit imagery lies a sincere exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and the courage to tell an unconventional story.

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Great story but to me, poorly filmed

The plot is beautiful and deep
but the filming... I could not take it. THE POINT OF THIS MOVIE IS TO CELEBRATE LIFE and all the connections of the Whole
yet the movie is so.... damp gloomy lifeless.

***The message of the movie is so warm and positive and light, and does not match the TONE of the movie, how it was filmed. *** So .... desolate, slow, and ... somehow... remote... Too soapy melodrama and somehow so ... flat dead.... slow sad.... lifeless...

And the music... ah so over the top and distracting.

So we NEVER get that feeling that the postman actually GOT the message deeply inside him and FELT IT DEEPLY

We see him riding around with his cat - that's the only thing the writer could think about????

So I just read the plot and fast forwarded through the movie.

Filmed properly, this would be a masterpiece.

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i guess this is a good watch for beginners ...

storyline was a bit confusing for me... i feel like there are parts that are important in the movie, but are not explained well, or the explanation was lacking. nevertheless, i really enjoyed the creative camera angles. i feel like it was able to give feelings of uneasiness and it somehow feels like u r in the scene. i dont think i have seen some of the camera angles in other horror movies, so it was very refreshing and interesting.

..and since this is a horror movie, i liked the timing of the jumpscares. they were not overdone nor it was underwhelming (..at least for me since i dont really like watching hardcore horror movies 😆). if u want a relatively easy watch horror film, then i guess u will like this one. some scenes were predictable, some were not but they knew how to build tension in those scenes. overall, it was good but hoped that it was longer...

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Even more fun than #1. More sophisticated humor and plot, better acting

Lmao even better than #1 lmao The comedy is hilarious and the plot is super fun. #2 is more sophisticated humor and plot, and better acting. It is very well done.

Wow his wife
and wow the cat bait taking down 2 NIS guys who cant figure out what she is doing to them - and falling for the same trick over and over and over again..... once, twice, thrice... even saving her life bc he still likes her :( wow was that dumb....

The fun part of this drama is that it actually shows the flaws of what we think should be so flawless, like NIS
The Chief and the young one are shown as selfish and gullible, the Chief is shown as ... well... not very smart
Also, the drama is an advertisement for NIS, since Agent Jun is so skilled

Agent Jun actor in this drama acts a lot more convincing than in #1, I guess he is sold out on the idea that he should be filming this. In #1 he was kinda pretending and acting as if he had to lmao I guess after making money with the #1, he got convinced he should be serious about acting well in #2. It really worked. He is a very great talented actor. He must be quite a sly fox in real life, he seems super crafty and experienced in wheeling and dealing - and acting :)

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What if the Monkey King escaped the Five Finger mountain a 100 years earlier while still holding bit of a grudge towards the Heavens? Well, through this movie you're about to find out about it.

A-yi had been searching for the Great Sage to help her to ascend to Heaven to report the crimes of the Eastern Dragon who killed her parents. And by some mysterious reasons, A-yi's blood had power to break the seal on the Great Sage to kept him confined in Wuzhi mountain for 400 years. Yet, considering the Great Sage's temperament... why would he so easily agree to help A-yi? His grudge is still so deep and Wukong still harbour the attention to retaliate against the Heavens while not caring how his actions may reflect towards his fellow monkey retainers as well as demon friends.

It's a nice journey as we get to see how Wukong gradually start to warm out to A-yi's presence beside him and how A-yi start to slowly calm the wild fire inside him and telling him not to kill recklessly. And it was interesting to see how the relationship between Wukong and A-yi would lead towards the future where the Great Sage would meet with Monk Tang Sanzang. I especially love the plot twist near the end after everything regarding A-yi's matter with the Long Dragon was resolved.

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While looking up the info for this movie, I've been wondering why this movie was described to be an action-comedy movie. But after watching this to the end, I finally gets it. This is the continuation of Li Hongqi's story, a no-nonsense cop who would not walk away from any crime that came to his attention... even while he's off-duty.

And that, is the crux of the comedic element in this movie. It's quiet subtle to be honest, and you'll only realize it near the end... but for some reason Li Hongqi always did end up getting involved in a case while on holiday, isn't it? It's kinda hilarious when you think about it. The first movie had Hongqi get caught with a case that involved his future in-law's family and the second, which was set prior to the first movie, had Hongqi get involved in case during one of his blind dates. And this time, he gotten involved in a kidnapping and human trafficking case while on a visit to his mother-in-law and planning his belated wedding ceremony. When you think about it, Hongqi really could never catch any break, could he?

The movie started with Hongqi getting a call from Taozi's birth mother after finding out about their marriage and the mom insisting for them to have a proper wedding ceremony. That led to Hongqi meeting with Xinxin on the plane. The case started after Xinxin had gone missing after Hongqi left her to tend to his matters and because of that he felt compelled to recover the girl and get her back safely.

This is really an enjoyable movie as Li Hongqi juggled between planning for his wedding and trying to search for Xinxin while trying to get along with the local police who had a different approach on how they do their jobs compared to him. Since Xie Miao is such a proficient martial arts actor, we got to see quite a lot of action in this movie as Hongqi continued to investigate deeper into the case. Even then, the plot didn't always get too serious at any point as Hongqi also gets some help investigating via unconventional means from his mother-in-law.

I had fun watching this movie and enjoyed all the action and comedic element packed into this movie. While I wished that they could have had the original actress for Taozi to return for a cameo near the end, this is still more or less an enjoyable trip. It made me hope to see more of Li Hongqi's many other misadventures in future movie. Cos who wouldn't want to see more of the story of an earnest cop who kept getting involved with a case every time they were on a holiday? You can bet for sure that I'll be one who wouldn't mind seeing more of this.

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Very Enjoyable

This movie is remarkable for its success at mixing genuine creepy horror and a romantic arc together with some hilarious comedy. It feels rushed as it checks off all the steps from cold relationship to romantic entanglement in a little less than two hours. But that's because I guessing most viewers, like me, are used to seeing all these steps detailed in 12 to 16 hour long episodes, so yes it is rushed. This story as we've seen elsewhere can be told over a much longer span and it works.

Master's Sun mixed some supernatural scary spooks into its story but what's remarkable here is that the spooks and how there're shown are really creepy, and then suddenly some funny switch will kick in and the scene jumps to comedy. Odd, but it works.

Stay tuned to the final credits because there's an amusing attempt by the male lead's sidekick to pick up a ghost, who ignores him walking, or drifting away.

The rules as to who can see ghosts when are loose. But the story points move fast so there's no time to dwell on this issue.

Possible spoilers.....


I only watched the one time so I may have misunderstood a scene in which the two leads get together, i.e. sleep together, in the tent she keeps in her living room. In the morning the male lead's girl friend somehow shows up from France, knows where they are, and gains entry to her house to unzip the tent catching them inside together. Then the three are shown talking in his (?) house, and after some discussion the female lead leaves his house. I am confused how that transition took place from in the tent in her house to some other house.

I liked how the story leaves unresolved the fact the female lead is being aggressively haunted by her dead former best friend. At the end the ghost is still haunting and apparently isn't going anywhere.

A final note. I almost missed this but note in the scene in which the female lead is seeing off her new boyfriend from the front gate in the morning. As she turns to re-enter the gate, look towards the top left of the screen and you'll see a ghost, the ghost standing on the balcony.

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The makers took the execution too lightly.

Rape is one of the worst forms of violence, but even sexual harassment can leave someone deeply traumatized. It can shatter a person's trust in the world and in themselves. They may still be alive, but they often feel emotionally empty, as if a part of their soul has been taken away.

That's why I'm disappointed that the female lead isn't killing the school bullies who were the main culprits behind all of this. From my perspective, they deserve to face the consequences of what they did, and it feels unsatisfying that they haven't.

Everyone who played a role in what happened to her sister and ultimately led her to that horrific fate should have been killed, in my opinion. Instead, she's letting them go, and that's a huge disappointment for me.

Even the revenge and action scenes don't feel impactful or satisfying. I expected much stronger consequences for the people responsible.

This drama shouldn't be called "No Mercy " it should be called "Mercy". She keeps letting the people who deserve punishment go, which completely defeats the title. That was a huge disappointment for me.

It felt unrealistic how she reached someone so powerful with such low-level, unconvincing action. Instead of earning her way to the top through her own abilities, it seemed like the story simply cleared a path for her. It felt as if the route was created for the female lead rather than her fighting her way through it herself. i'm not impressed with action also.

All of these issues made the story feel much weaker. There was almost no sense of tension or thrilling , and the revenge lacked the intensity I was expecting. As a result, the drama never felt truly thrilling or emotionally gripping.

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Entertaining movie/good enough to watch

I’ve become someone who pays attention to a lot of small details in movies which has made me dislike a lot of movies I watch but I don’t want to judge it based on that. The movie is entertaining and if you’re someone who enjoys Korean comedy it’ll give you exactly what you’re looking for.

In my opinion it was a bit stupid at times, there were a lot of unnecessary cuts in the movie (the one i remember the most is when they were performing a surgery in the van and the shot was on the new husband and there was like a random cut in the middle of his monologue) also a lot of things made zero sense like how they suddenly found a rope to resuce ma dojun and how they had a parachute out of nowhere to rescue the daughter. i’m assuming this movie relied a lot on absurdism and satire comedy but then it also had stupid jokes that were corny so i guess i wouldn’t really call it a comedy (up to my standards) i laughed maybe like max. 2/3 times during the movie, the rest was pretty corny.

it wasn’t the type of movie that had me hooked or made me sooo excited to find out what happens next but it was good for my boredom i guess?

also i have no idea what happened with the police, they made it such a big deal about them coming to resuce everyone after 3 hours and then they don’t even show up in the end but it just ends with the sound effect of police which also makes zero sense cause they were in the middle of the sea so how could they have heard it from there 😭 maybe i’m just nitpicking right now but like i said, small details are something i pick up on usually.

but i’m actually excited for the gangsters wife! the ending was super cool with her walking in like a badass..so i’m assuming there will be a part2 of the movie. i’m not sure if i’ll be watching but maybe if my boredom gets the best of me i’ll make sure to tune in.

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A deafening realization of love

What I deduce from Nagase from both the series and prequel is that he is in a constant state of denial. The things that he want to achieve in life seem to contradict with his inner self and feelings, consequently hurting the person that has committed himself to this relationships and the ex-wife, who seems to cherish him in her own way. These rash decisions coupled with his indecisive personalities when it comes to love led to the unfortunate divorce that affected both his child and everyone involved. Had he been true to himself and his genuine loved ones, the misfortunate that he has to grapple with would not have occurred. However, a movie like this intentionally depicts such mistakes with so much realism that deeply touched the viewers. Nagase, albeit irrevocable mistakes, tries to reify his life through ultimately deciding to stay true to himself. That realization steers him away from shirking responsibilities and owning up to his selfishness in the court, compensating his endeared daughter to his wife consensually. This mutual decision was what makes the story truly meaningful and how each of the one involved gets their fair share of love, free will and responsibilities.
--> Conclusion: This is a slow-burn and realistic depiction of a gay couple, who is crippled down by societal pressures and prejudices that treat LGBT+ individuals and relationships as jokes and taboos. Despite these hardships, the final call in life is unsatiable romantic desires between people and people regardless of their gender and past mistakes.
--> Note: Sometimes, the acting execution seems to be quite lacking in some areas, especially in terms of the emotions that actors need to convey through the scenes (coming off as awkward occasionally).

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