This review may contain spoilers
A somewhat different take
The Legend of Heroes aka Legend of The Condor Heroes 2024 is a remake, where I personally felt that they go in a rather differrent route of storytelling and character behaviourI'd personally struggled in a few episodes, due to poor storytelling, flash throughs (like they skipped a lot, but only explain some back in flashbacks). Few crucial scenes where either entirely cut off or executed poorly which ended up making this adaptation a mixed bag of treasure and trash.
However, what really stands out here where even the 2017 Version couldnt beat is the martial arts. No slow motions, just straight up throwing punches in crazy speed is just perfect. What made it better is the choice of background music which accompanies the fight scenes, are straight up STRIKE. I love how they gave Guo Jing the inner astral form ability where he closes his eye, and entered his inner self and learned kungfu? Hell yeaaaa!.
Now, I realised this adaptation felt like theres more comedy compared to previous ones, I am ok with it...for a change. Just that, some scenes...really doesnt require that much of screen time, but oh well.
Character, character, characters...its a bit of love and hate here. For once, they actually made this version of Guo Jing slight tad smarter, and slight comedic relief too hmmm but I kinda like it. Of course, this version of Guo Jing seems to look a bit older too...guess theres another reason on that. Still, Ci Sha definitely did a good job there.
Huang Rong is another suprise...felt that her character is more childish, still very smart and...innocent? Not the usual Huang Rong people know, its a twisted version of her that balances up with New Guo Jing.
Other characters are fine, all these veteran actors and actress did pretty well for their own character. Love how they already gave Western Venom (think thats the english name) that frog martial arts (usually other adaptation, it only happens when he went haywire). Zhou Yi Wei as Eastern Heretic (again, think its the name) is pretty interesting too...not as naive as the older ones hahahahha. He is somewhat entertaining and no playing a fool type. Others are fine. Yang Kang is yess, nothing much.
Overall, its a decent adaptation but sadly wasted due to poor storytelling. Looking forward for season 2. And quickly release that specials wehhh. Thanks
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Spectacular Martial Arts
If you like martial arts then this is a good drama for you to watch. Right from episode 1 you will be entertained with various martial arts techniques which have been choreographed well. The story follows the advantures of Guo Jing who was naive, righteous and new to reality of living. He then met Huang Rong who is quick witted and has taught Guo Jing a lot in understanding and managing situations. Both ML and FL carried their actings well to fit the characters and so do other actors in this drama. All martial arts Grandmasters and Masters presented in this drama are with unique characters and significant to Guo Jing in developing his maturity in martial art techniques and impact on his emotions. Huang You Shi character as a Grandmaster and father to Huang Rong though only appeared in some episodes has managed tobe visible and important to the story. Yang Kang/ Wangyan Kang is also a significant character that made me like and hate at the same time due to his nobleness way and yet he abandoned his revenge due to greedy for weath and power.
Cinematography is nice and camera works on the fights scenes are good. The story has managed to peak a few times and keep vieweres to look forward on what's next, thus made it interesting to watch.
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A Classic Remake kind of watchable
I don't know how many times I have read the book while I was a teenager and then seeing the HK version for countless times. So, YES, definitely I am biased. I thought I would be dropping this drama because as DH said, it's been done too many times. And I know the story backwards. And yet, I am still watching it ... partially for old's time sake and partially because of the new special effects.Let's begin with what's wrong with this drama ... and why it's NOT rated higher:
1) Wang Hong Yi as Yang Kang cannot capture the complexity of this character. He doesn't have the look/presence of Yang Kang, who is supposed to be handsome, tricky, good/evil, and so charming.
2) Bao Shang En as Huang Rong falls short of the iconic role by Barbara Yung, who has the personality and the presence of this beautiful and smart FL. BY (although a little bit too old for HR) could capture the essence of HR from the book. Bao Shang En doesn't have the look and also the acting capability for this role.
--- although after watching her more and comparing her with other Chinese actresses from other remakes, she does a decent job. Watchable.
3) Ci Sha as Guo Jing ... Looks-wise I think he does look like Guo Jing. However, acting wise, he doesn't have a lot of expressions. Guo Jing is again not a straight forward person. He's gullible, honest but he's not dumb. Felix Wong as Guo Jing was a better actor. And when paired with Barbara Yung, they had so much chemistry.
4) Huang Yao Shi also failed because the way he acts was like a parody of the character! Not as I remember from the book. For example, when the GJ's teachers challenged him, he puts hand on his head as if to say, "you've got to be kidding me"! Seriously, HYS shouldn't have this type of gesture. He doesn't make jokes like this ... He's dignified and serious.
Same thing goes for the beggar king ... Yeh, they are not acting like the characters from the book.
Like a lot of other reviewers say, this drama glosses over A LOT of scenes and character development. It's like telling a summary of the book. For people like me, it's kind of ok because I just need a summary- I've seen it so many times. For others, please watch the HK version. It's just like the book ... so good in storytelling and acting.
Why I give music such low score? Please just go and listen to the HK version. OMG ... I don't speak cantonese but the music was amazing. And the singers too!
After looking at the other 2 Chinese adaption of this drama, I decided to give it another chance. The FL is not too bad relative to the other previous ones.
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Remake of interesting scenes from the condor trilogy
In case you didn't know, this is just a summary of the condor trilogy, its not only LOCH which is about Yang Gou. It's kind of pointless to watch this as it is right now and I have no idea why they even made this.Not to mention that they casted old and popular actors, paid for VFX and stuff.. Surely there must be other dramas that can be made with the money invested into this instead.
This is basically 2 full stories combined into one, with a LOT of content missing.
It is a trilogy, because The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (倚天屠龍記) is a part of the condor heroes story and takes places after LOCH, and YG is basically the reason why the sword and the saber exists.
However it doesn't seem like the final story will be adapted at all
Edit: rumour has it that the 2nd half of the show has been pulled due to low ratings. Looks like my review is right after all.
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One of the better remakes worth watching
I have seen the original Cantonese and great memories of it. And I watched previous remakes.I think this is one of the better remakes. It is done with more realistic tone and less silly characters. You know what I mean. Characters that talk in squeaky voices or act like clowns or act like a child to be wise. Just stupid.
This one doesn't have that kind of stupidity.
Dialogues are good and intelligent. The writers have brains unlike many other C Dramas that are still writing like they are targeting viewers who live in countryside without any education.
I think the most interesting character have been the blind woman with claws.
The main leads are okay. Not huge chemistry but they are likeable and best of all, they are not annoying. I enjoy them. Rong is cute and she doesn't quite capture the cunning of 80s Cantonese actress but she is competent and does a good job. I like her.
Male lead is also okay. Nice thing is both of them do not overplay their characters. And that works.
It's a solid remake and definitely worth your time. It is not an exact repeat of previous shows and I thought pacing was fine.
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The Worse ReMake Ever
Apparently, after making so many remakes, mainland China still destroys another classic. With over 1.4 billion people, China still can't do a remake better than the 1983 TVB version. What a shame.To begin with, the TVB version has cliffhangers, montages, theme songs, and specifically selected actors to fill each unique character. This version has nothing. The director randomly picked anyone to play the characters, which is beyond stupid. All in all, China has no artistic skills whatsoever. It may take another century for mainland China to stop ruining Jin Yong's classics.
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This review may contain spoilers
ANOTHER REMAKE
I don't know how many are they all together remaking this story. My favorite is still the Hongkong version remake in the 1970 or 1980, they are classic because they cast the perfect actors for the job - besides it set in the standard of many remakes drama after them (which not memorable). As a big fan of Jin Yong for many years, I graded 10 for story and the screenwriters do good job on dialog and pretty consistent with storyline in the book. This is the beginning of trilogy remarkable of Jin Yong novel that became classic. I can basically map it out what the next scenes are based on the novel, although it's pretty outdated (Jin Yong wrote it in 1957) due to countless remakes, I like this one better than previous Chinese version but fighting choreography isn't good.I think the young actors who play Guo Jing and Huang Rong are cute together. Although Guo Jing is pretty slow intellectually and average looking, he's honest innocent loyal kind-heart and hard work that makes Huang Rong loves him to no end. Huang Rong is the kind of daddy girl who has photographic memory, very intelligent, inheriting deviousness from her father, young beauty, carefree and a happy girl. Her intelligent help Guo Jin in so many level, solve many difficulties; from securing a teacher, help him in Mongolia against Ouyang Feng, up assist to defending the border while she's pregnant. Their relationship wasn't all smooth ride; from family disapproval, strain of two different up-bringing, heart broken in misunderstanding, & war.
Wanyan Kang/Yang Kang in the other hand is a malicious malignant evil man. He compared ragged poor honest patriotic biological father with his richly ambitious Jin adoptive father, he'd rather be a traitor to his Han bloodline than live in poor and disrespected. His relationship to Mu Nian Ci resulted in a baby boy name Yang Guo (Main character on next novel the Return of Condor Heroes), Wanyan Kang killed Ouyang Ke just to be Ouyang Feng apprentice. He died from Ouyang Feng residual poison when he attacks Huang Rong, a dramatic dying for the treacherous man; abandon, unloved, painful & sad death. At the end of chapter, Mu Nian Ci would handed their little boy Yang Guo to Guo Jing and Huang Rong to be adopted before she died. Which they both raise young Guo Yang in strict discipline and moral code, not to grow up like his father.
5 Grand masters; Ouyang Feng, Huang Yao Shi, Zhou Bo Tong, Hong Qi Gong, Duan Zhi Xing here are all looking young and handsome. As far the characteristic in the book they're all in their 60th or 70th with grey hair. Ouyang Feng is poisonous ruthless senile evil man who'll end-up insane because of self-teaching from fake Jiu Yin Manual Guo Jing wrote (ep 16). Huang Yao Shi will finally bless Huang Rong to marry Guo Jing and leave the island for the couple. Hong Qi Gong will travel and spend time in Palace's kitchen to steal more delicious foods. Childish carefree Zhao Bo Tong will live together blissfully happy with the woman who loved him. Kind His Royal Highness Duan Zhi Xing live secluded as a monk together with remorseful repentant Qiu Qian Ren turned-monk. Guo Jing last surviving blind teacher would live with them in Peach Blossom island to retire. I could't believe I still remember all that after many years...
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Doesn't live up to the hype
A MASSIVE dump of characters where no story is told in depth. Surface level of events paired & lightning speed of couple pairing. Did the drama just decide to collect as many drama actors as possible hoping it will succeed? Looking at the cast, there are 13 Main leads!ML Ci sha, he did pretty good as supporting roles in prior dramas, but I don't think he holds up here. Maybe it's the script too but there's a lack of convincing expressions fitting his character.
I was looking forward to some better choreographed fight scenes but classic kung fu in dramas is mostly dead these days replaced by overuse of wires and frozen poses blasting massive wind into people's faces. Sure, the dancer background or the Chinese Opera background actors tend to do better but I haven't seen anything amazing past 8 episodes.
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AN ABSOLUTE JOKE!!!
It's laughable what acting is over there in China (at least what we see internationally) and the fact that some of these dramas go through numerous stages of screening so to say for them to be published and this is what we get.I'll just get to the point; I've decided to drop this drama after 1 episode beacuse I'm so sick and tired of seeing the same poor displays of something that's meant to be entertainment and I cannot fault the actors on this one because I think this is just pure mediocrisy from the crew.
This drama gives me BTTH Season 2 vibes and I dropped that drama as well after a couple of minutes for the same reasons. The pacing of the story and the way it's rushed, the special effects, the stunts (THEY ARE REALLY BAD), the camera movement and all that is just average and looks like it's made for a youtube prank video.
Once again a highly anticipated drama (as most always are) taking the mick. Absolute joke.
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