Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
If you want to watch the story of Love O2O in 2 hours watch this.
If you can spare the time watch the drama it's worth it!!This is basically Love O2O (drama) all mashed into a movie. When you watch a drama and fall in love with the actors and their way of acting it's a little hard to get used to others that try to remake the same exact story.
The one main difference that I notices was that in this movie there are a lot more physical fighting that was not shown in the original drama.
For the movie they seem to also get ride of the character named Zhen Shao Xiang who was also Zhen Shui Wuxiang they instead gave Zhen Shui Wuxiang to Cao Guang, which definitly gave a little change to the story line.
Coming to watch this after watching the drama my expectations were a bit high and they were not met. The drama is by far my favorite out of these two versions.
Was this review helpful to you?
Movie of the episodic series Love O2O without all the filler
Condensing 22.5 hours down to two hours, you're going to lose a lot. Missing was a lot of character development, but we also lost all the unnecessary silliness, extended game play, and multiple mean characters. I enjoyed the movie from this standpoint.The acting was pretty good, and the couple was cute together. I like it anytime a man sees a woman and is fascinated by her first.
There were a couple of sweet lines, a major swoony kiss, and a happy ending. It felt abrupt to me, but only because I had just finished watching the 30-episode series.
It's a cute movie to watch between more in-depth content.
Was this review helpful to you?
even jing boran couldn't completely pull us through this train wreck
I went into this with pretty low expectations (although I was a bit excited for the star studded cast: Jing Boran, Angelababy, Janice Wu, Seven Tan, Li Xian, and Li Qin all in one movie :0). Having watched the drama, I know how this story is: the plot offers nothing to interest viewers, the characters and relationships are horribly shallow, and the only thing going for it is its mindless, feel-good quality.I'll try to stay as objective as possible in terms of reviewing this movie having watched the drama and compare the drama and movie at the end of this review. That being said, it's very very clear this movie tried to fit too much into it's 1 h 42 min time frame. Whereas the drama had more time to flesh things out (whether they effectively fleshed them out is a different question), the movie lacked in plot, character, and relationship development. For instance, the Meng Yiran mean-girl-trope could've been completely sliced out of the plot. She literally showed up twice and added absolutely nothing to the story. Especially for those who haven't watched the drama, the movie offers a cramped, rushed, and incomplete interpretation of the story that jumps all over the place. As a result, that feel-good atmosphere you expect from a college romance is never created.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by Angelababy's Bei Weiwei. Her acting is definitely forced and very unnatural at times, and I would by no means call her a good actress, but she gave Bei Weiwei a bit of nerdy charm that I rather liked. Shockingly enough, her beauty was only mentioned once, and it was easy to think of her as a normal, passionately dorky college kid. As for Jing Boran as Xiao Nai, I can only say that Xiao Nai is fundamentally a terribly written character, a completely perfect, one-dimensional character with zero personality. Still, I appreciated the emotions Jing Boran managed to siphon out of Xiao Nai's lifeless character. Have you seen Jing Boran act like he's in love? Literal hearts coming out of this man's face.
As for Angelababy and Jing Boran together... it's safe to say they have very little chemistry. Part of it is definitely due to the time limit of the movie and the choice to show little of the development of their relationship. Perhaps if the running time were a little longer, they could've been a generic, mediocre cdramaland couple, but their chemistry is nowhere near strong enough to make it in a movie as short as this one. Bei Weiwei and Xiao Nai's relationship also made zero sense to me. By the end, I was still wondering what they like about each other, how they fell in love with each other, and why they were even together.
My biggest complaint has to be the editing. It was almost as if someone filmed a bunch of scenes and put them together using imovie or something. The transitions are a horrible fade out, and most of the time the scenes don't even connect in a way that makes sense. The movie jumps from scene to scene and expects the viewer to keep up, and most of the scenes are left hanging and unfinished. Definitely does not seem like a professional movie. The music as well was unnecessarily loud and drowned out the lines sometimes.
MOVIE VS DRAMA
Of course it's impossible not to compare the movie to the drama and vice versa. The first thing I noticed is that this movie fails to achieve the show Love O2O's laidback atmosphere, mostly because they tried to cram so much in such a little time frame. We also miss the only thing I really liked about the show: the relationship between Xiao Nai and his three hilarious friends. The side characters understandably have less screen time in the movie than in the drama, which put more pressure on the leads to carry the movie.
However, I will say I prefer Jing Boran's Xiao Nai over Yang Yang's Xiao Nai. In my opinion, Jing Boran displayed a wider range of expressions, emotions, and subtleties in acting. I also felt that movie Xiao Nai was more down-to-earth than drama Xiao Nai despite his "perfect" concept. The same actually goes for Angelababy as Bei Weiwei; I thought the movie's portrayal of the characters, although still shallow, was more relatable and more fun than the drama's. The biggest difference between movie Bei Weiwei and drama Bei Weiwei is that drama Bei Weiwei is built up to be a perfect girl: smart, beautiful, soft-spoken and gentle, while movie Bei Weiwei is more rough around the edges, a bit more loud and crazy. I also liked how the movie places Bei Weiwei at an equal level to Xiao Nai by having her a play a large role in the game development team, while in the drama, she is more of an intern in Xiao Nai's company.
Overall, I understand why the drama was better received than the movie, and would probably recommend watching the drama first. However, as far as characterization goes, I would say the movie did a better job than the show.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Light-hearted but missing plot
I had watched the drama before this and of course, I expected the movie to cut a lot out simply due to time constraints. Because of that, however, I felt like we ended up with a mediocre movie. It was light-hearted and we still got a really warm and mature relationship between the two leads, but in terms of plot and character development, this version was lacking.Essentially, I felt like nothing really happened in this movie. I'm not sure what the plot for this movie was and what conflicts there really were; because there was no big conflict, I also didn't really see our characters grow or change or have to face any obstacles.
I liked the tidbits of bromance and sismance between the cast, but it's also true that we weren't able to see much of it and everyone was very cookie-cutter.
I did like the visual effects however, though the actual gaming didn't take up a big part of the movie either (understandably).
Was this review helpful to you?
✒⌨ 2D Love °5.9° °good° ?%?
Gamers don't need a dating website because they can make good matches while gaming. Our protags are fans of the RPG (role playing game) Chinese Ghost Story/CGS. FL, Wei Wei, even has an in-game spouse - until she gets dumped. She won't be in the dumps for long, though: Her white knight is in the wings.Computers don't just facilitate hook-ups; they make identity theft pretty easy, too. While Er Xi may not have stolen Wei Wei's ID, she did borrow Wei Wei's CGS game character, which leads /Wei Wei's/ crush to pursue /Er Xi/ in the game, thinking he's hanging out, virtually, with Wei Wei. It also leads men at Er Xi's summer internship to believe that SHE'S the top female CGS player. Er Xi, unawares, is getting all kinds of attention in the name of Bei Wei Wei, and Bei Wei Wei wouldn't have it any other way-way-way.
That's the same paragraph I used for the show review because, in curious fashion, 2016 saw a show and a film released that were based on the same story. I watched the show first and find myself unable to assess this film without comparing. It feels like a completely different story in many ways, thankfully. But the core programming is identical:
Xiao Nai is the school ‘s supreme catch. Not only is he finishing up school, but he's designing a new game with his buddies. They are marketing it to companies and will run into all kinds of sleaze👾 in the business world. He's also a serious gamer and CGS is his 2nd home. He witnesses the top female player being game-divorced and decides it might be nice to pick her up as a game-wife. He's also glimpsed Wei Wei playing CGS at an internet cafe 😍. He's making 2D and 3D moves on her. Wei Wei is “The Belle of the Computer department,“ but her paths haven't crossed much with Xiao Nai ~ she /thinks/. She's been hanging with him on the CGS servers, she just doesn't know who her game spouse is IRL/in-real-life. In the meantime, Er Xi uses Wei Wei's alternate ID to play the game and ends up being mistaken for the top female player in CGS. This brings her into virtual contact with a guy chasing Wei Wei IRL. He thinks he's flirting with his crush and Er Xi believes she's developing a new virtual relationship that could become a real world fling. One of them is more wrong than HE would guess and the other is so wrong, but so right.
That's the setup. They are meeting in the game and building impressions in their imagination. Next, they will face and deal with the IRL implications.
Both the show and movie are watchable and enjoyable for romance fans. I don't think either feature does anything but toss lite snacks to the romance fan base. They aren't going to please any other watching group. So, you romantics out there, this is worth watching for the first kiss; it's swoony. The romance is mutual. Xiao Nai is “The Man”. He only plays for keeps.
I know my rating makes it seem like I didn't like the film. I did - it's definitely over the line of demarcation. It has some great moments along with its corresponding problems. Until recently, China consistently put out (arguably) watchable, relaxation-inducing, but mindless drivel under the guise of modern-day features, while at the same time they cranked out all-world fantasy and historical pieces. I have my theories about this… China's modern day features have been cluttered up with wooden acting, inane dialogue, and lazy plotlines. Things started changing noticeably around 2018. Now, there's many modern-day Chinese features I have been able to watch and not just enjoy, but LOVE - without wincing in pain at all. Coincidentally, many characters in these new-and-improved contemporary Chinese works will mention watching Kdramas. It's like China got a memo. They've responded well.
As for a comparison, the film is 100 minutes and the show is nearly 1400 minutes. The show should be better. The movie has more natural looking people and a more natural feel when it comes to interactions between the characters. It's so loose and free feeling, compared to most Chinese modern-day features (2016 & earlier), that I double checked to make sure it wasn't a Taiwanese film. Because of that, the film feels differently from the show, even with some of the same scenes. From the start, the characters feel real; this movie is part of the positive jump forward. There are minor pacing issues, though, where things almost drag.
The FL isn't awful in the show, but she's just better in the film, being feisty and active in the relationship. She isn't shy. She becomes part of the team, not a piece of fluff on the side. It makes more sense how the film has Wei Wei actively involved with the company and making the game. She is a computer major, afterall. In the show she acts more like a liberal arts major and soon-to-be 50’s housewife. One of the show's deficiencies is how Wei Wei remains too demure. A confident and capable Wei Wei would have been a welcomed sight.
Er Xi in the show is said to be homely, when she's definitely north of an 8. She's one of the show's assets. I rolled my eyes every time they denigrated her character's looks. (The show focuses on looks too much. It gets wearisome). Show Er Xi could play Tinkerbell, she's so cute. Movie Er Xi is perky and would qualify as less than a 7 based on looks alone, though the actress beams an uplifting carefree air. I'm only commenting on looks because it's a theme in the story - perhaps the main theme. The truth is that there are very few ugly people, and confidence is the sexiest thing. The rest of the movie-friends get alot less play due to the 1300 minute differential. They didn't utilize the friends well in the show, either.
As the credits start to roll we hear about one of the guys falling in love with a female game character who turns out to be a man. It's a bit that got alot of screen time in the show and was handled particularly well, except for the wrap-up.
Overall, the flick has higher highs and lower lows than the show. The characters are solid and there's great moments. It is quick & abbreviated, with light drama that is resolved too easily. Just keep that in mind.
QUOTE📢
If you go outside the wall an inch, I'll move the wall an inch. If you go outside a foot I'll move it ten feet.
〰🖍 IMHO
📣5.5 📝4 🎭7 💓6 🦋7.6 🌞5 🎨7⚡5 🎵/🔊6.5 😅2 😭2 😱0 😯2 😖0 🤔1 💤2.5 🔚6
Age - there's nothing objectionable and nothing about which to make an age caution. As soon as kids can keep up with the subtitles they are good-to-go with 0-2-0.
Re-📺? Doubtful
Was this review helpful to you?
The visuals are stunning, especially during the scenes set in the game’s universe. The action is dynamic, and the virtual world is beautifully crafted—it makes you want to step right into the adventure. It’s a lighthearted, fun film with a positive message about the importance of communication and trust in a relationship.
The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and the way their lives intertwine in both the real and virtual worlds is genuinely captivating. The film captures the essence of finding love and connection in the most unexpected places.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I knew nothing about the novel before watching this film, and only watched half of the drama but I thought the movie had more charming actors/performances and better CGI/set design by a long shot. The actors in the drama are stiff - not in a shy, introverted way, but in a dull plastic doll way. I was far more entertained by this movie.That being said, the movie really fumbled with its pacing. The first 1.5 hours was focused on the leads falling in love - the last 0.5 hours was everything else under the sun. If the directors wanted to cover everything in the novel, then they should've paced it better. But since there were so many disparate topics and characters, I believe cutting certain storylines out would have benefited the movie. Without giving spoilers, there were certain one-sided-love stories that, though perhaps had a point in the original source, were just a waste of time in the film.
The film did a good job as a visually pleasing, light romantic film exploring the gaming world and college student world... but its representation of the heart of the source material is questionable. But it was definitely created to be something of the former than the latter (dat ending hashtag doe)
also - Jing Boran is so. handsome.
Was this review helpful to you?
Angela Baby as Bei Weiwei is Another Level
I watched this movie first before the drama and read the novel after watching both. That was a long time ago though, so I have no problems interchanging the sequence of which to do first. Between this movie and the drama adaptation, I actually prefer the movie.Let me talk about Angela Baby here. Well, as what I mostly saw in the comments, many prefer Angela Baby as Bei Weiwei (BWW). Like, why wouldn't they, right? Compared to Zheng Shuang, Angela exudes more of the cool charm with confidence and the intelligent yet easy going vibes BWW should have and what has the novel portrayed her to be. She's not overly timid when facing Xiao Nai compared to what I felt with Zheng Shuang in the drama.
About Yang Yang and Jing Bo Ran. Well, I honestly don't feel the need to compare who played better since they gave off different auras. Yang Yang naturally has that killing charm that made him shining, while Jing Bo Ran has more of the laid back personality. They both gave justice to Xiao Nai's character.
Now, let's talk solely on the movie, setting the drama and novel aside. For the plot delivery, it can be understandable after watching the movie. It can literally be summarized as Yi Xiao Nai He, the top 1 player in the server, married the newly divorced Luwei Weiwei, the only female player who entered top 10 in the overall server ranking. They then revealed their real life identities— Yi Xiao Nai He as the top student in the Computer Department, who's just starting his own company with his friends, and Luwei Weiwei as the beauty of Computer Department, Bei Weiwei.
All the important scenes and lines in the novel were delivered. Such as their meet up where Weiwei greeted her senior Xiao Nai with a "What a coincidence...", and Xiao Nai replying "It's not a coincidence, I'm waiting for you..." Another is when Xiao Nai picked up Weiwei from a meet up gathering, that iconic "As long as she's willing to be with me, I don't care about anything else..." My apologies if the lines were not exact, I'm only relying on my poor memory here..
Overall, this movie can be watched before the drama as it gives a good summary of the whole plot. Highly recommended !
Was this review helpful to you?
For the ones who are in for some sweet, light hearted love story, then you are probably going to enjoy this movie.
Was this review helpful to you?
