Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre

Average

Heaven Sword is one of my all time favorite Jin Yong stories. While this 2019 adaption is overall done well and quite watchable, I am still disappointed because the story is so gripping and epic that properly executed it could have and should have been a 10. I feel that way about most of Jin Yong's stories and I am time and again disappointed with C-drama's inability to turn the gift of a fantastic storyline into a kick-ass 10.

The first problem is that riding on the gift of a great storyline, the production team was very sloppy with the cast and the casting of the key roles. It was obvious from the start that many of the lead actors struggled to get into character: Zhang Cuisan and Zhao Min notably. And while I think Zeng Shunxi is a very promising young actor, at 21 he is too much of a boy still to fully pull off Wuji. He wasn't bad but his chemistry with both female leads was little more than warm and friendly. That's just not good enough as Wuji's two main love interests are bad-ass, devious and willful women; a handful for any man much less a boy. To make matters worse, they saddled him with the worst man bun that highlighted an unflattering roundness to his features - many times I thought the Pillsbury doughboy was going to burst right out of him! It wasn't till the much later episodes they fixed his look in a good way. In addition to the main leads, poor chemistry between the couples is a consistent theme throughout this show. Whoever paired up the actors must surely be the matchmaker from hell. The initial flat romance between Zhang Cuisan and Yin Susu almost made me give up on this early on but it somehow clicked once the fantastic child actor playing young Wuji was brought into the mix.

While it seems I will still have to wait for a version of this epic story with the A-list cast it deserves, some of the roles were played by quite strong performances (Yangsiu, Zhou Zhirou, Xie Xun, Song Qingsu) while the others were good enough (Wuji, Zhao Min) that the uninspired ones (Xiao Chao etc) were drowned out and it still came together well enough to be quite enjoyable. And the action was quite good although they went a little bit overboard with the slow motion that made the many good kung fu scenes a lot less exciting. While it is definitely technically much better polished than my best loved 1986 version, the A-list 1986 cast wins hands down when it comes to breathing life into the main characters.

While this version broadly sticks to the original storyline, it digresses meaningfully from it in a very subtle way. This is a more politically correct version that dials down the cruelty of many of the darker characters and deals with them compassionately, offering them a path to redemption. In the case of Song Qingsu, it was well done because he is just a weak character that strayed off the wrong path. But in the case of Zhou Zhirou, I really didn’t see the point – this is an ambitious, selfish and cruel character that is innately much more bad than good, it is fundamental to the plot. Zhu Xudan is an actress that is naturally blessed with a mal-contented expression – she would have been an even more brilliantly wicked Zhou Zhirou if they didn’t try to make her slightly nicer. But what was even more criminal was they kind of tuned down Zhao Min, one of my all time favorite Jin Yong heroines by making her less sassy towards the end to the point of being almost like the clingy and pathetically devoted Xiao Chao (yuck). It was as if they were flirting with the idea of a shock alternative ending where Wuji ends up with the Zhirou and then thankfully chickened out at the last minute. Two thumbs down is all that I can say. And they didn’t stop with Zhirou and Qingsu, they pretty much made excuses for and/or tried to make all the bad guys slightly less bad. Boring and tiresome after awhile and it had the overall impact of diluting the passion and vehemence of Jin Yong’s characters both good and evil.

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Love and hate relationship

i watch the old version back then in 90's and i like it very much. I have high expectation on this remake but somehow it doesn't impress me so much like the older one.
Story. it's not fully adapted similiar to the novel - but yeah still connect to the stories.
From ep 1~22 interesting. We have to wait until ep 5 or 6 (i forget this :p) to Wuji make an appearance.
From 23 - end, the story starts to slow pace and some parts is draggy, makes me forward it occasionally. it happened when in Snake Island - Wuji 's trapped along with 4 beautiful girls. Lol...he's harem. Too soft hearted with girls and make them fall in love with him. Somehow i prefer Wuji end up with Xiao zhao.
Finally the ending (which is happy ending) it doesn't leave the feeling "empty" after watching a good series.
I kinda forget the older version ending, but this version Dragon slaying sabre only show off to cut Emperor's seat ? seriously ?
Acting - best acting goes to actor of :
- Zhang San Feng (Wang De Shun) : he looks like a real character alive from novel. Wise great leader and teacher for Wudang Clan.
- Cheng Kun (Terry Fan) : he reprised a role of good and a bad guy in one character very well.
- Little Wuji (Han Haolin) : can't imagine he's just 9 years old when it's shooting but he's acting very good. Cute and smart boy.
- Yang Xiao (Lin Yu Shen), I like his charisma as a wise leader and glance of his sharp eyes.
Music : not impressive. They can do better with epic classical music.
Rewatch : only episode 8,21, 22
Overall :
Hate it because of i can't get chemistry between Wuji and Zhao Min. ( i used to be a fan of Joseph Wang)
and the fight scenes too much slow motion. Best fight version of HSDSS is Jet Li as Chang Mo Kei.
Love it because of the story which has been well known worldwide - great writing by Jin Young master.
You must watch it especially if you're a fan of Jin Young master. Otherwise, still go watch it ^^

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Ok a clear and pure review....

First of all male adult lead wujj shows up in ep 14 and entry of female lead is in ep 23 which is very strange . The story in starting is good I like wuji 's journey from a child to an adult .
But in his childhood he met many female characters as his *childhood sweethearts*and too many girls are into him. I mean literally 4 girls into one man . He doesn't know how to maintain a distance and a line with a girl he like and a girl he don't like . He is too naive and innocent . Overall acting is good and I like main leads acting . But seriously I mainly prefer storyline and I think writer does very well in raising my blood pressure with this.


At last I think I watched this drama to overcome from love and redemption drama but it could be done way more better.

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8/6/2021

I watched the HK version when I was young but I don't remember much about it aside from the main actors/actresses. I have also never read the book. So, my review is just basically how I feel about this particular show, and not in comparison to anything.

Negatives first:

In the first episode, I already dislike the fight scenes. For a wuxia drama, why do they use slow-motion on fight scenes? I want fast-paced, live action to get into the mood. Fortunately, they ease up on the slow motion as the show goes on. I still find the fighting to be not satisfying enough. (If you know of a wuxia drama with amazing fast-paced fight scenes, please let me know).

I also dislike the dubbing for this drama. This is a 2019 drama and it's not that old, I am surprised to see how the dubbing still doesn't line up. Additionally, I really dislike the voice of the female actress who plays the villainous Er Mei older disciple. It's like nails on the chalkboard each time she opens her mouth. I applaud the actress acting for making me hate her.

I don't like the character of the ML. He is so wishy-washy with love and he would make a horrible boyfriend. You can still be good to the ladies but set some boundaries. This is no fault of the drama, just the novel. I also don't feel the chemistry between the leads. I am not sure if it's the acting of Zeng Shunxi as the ML or what. It's my first time watching him, and I am not super impressed. I also felt the acting of Zhu Xudan as Zhou Zhiruo to be weak as well. She has this one face throughout most of the drama.

I feel that the last 5 episodes seem to be rushing a bit. There are events that I want more explanation but they are all glossed over. I was expecting more about the general in the end and how things might blow over for him, but it never happened. It didn't quite build up enough tension for a great finish.

Positives:

The child actors playing both the young and teen Zhang Wuji are great, esp. the youngest one. He is adorable and believable. When he cries, my heart breaks. I also enjoy the acting of our main female lead, Chen Quqi who plays Zhao Min. I like her sassy, feisty character and also believe her when she's sad and heartbroken. The acting of the supporting cast is great as well, esp. the veteran actors. I enjoy seeing Lin Shen as Yang Xiao. I thought I would see more of him since he's listed a a main character, but a little disappointed that he was missing for most of the last 5 episodes. I enjoy his cool and smart character and the subtle changes of emotions through his eyes. He is also pleasing to the eyes (but I think he's more handsome in "Dating in the Kitchen".

The costumes are nice. I enjoy seeing the wardrobe change of the ML from when he's young to when he became a leader, and then a successful revolutionary towards the end of the drama. The female leads also have pretty nice costumes and hairstyle change (for Zhao Min).

I think the pacing of the show is pretty good. I didn't feel bored or that it dragged in the middle. It's a slower start to build the plot and the upbringing of ML, so if you just want to watch Zeng Shunxi, you might have to wait a little bit. But I think there are enough happening to keep me engaged for 50 episodes.

As much as I complained about the fight scenes, I like there isn't a lack of fight scenes. Fighting is spread out pretty evenly throughout the show and the choreography isn't bad.

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The cast did great and followed what the screenwriters wrote. I'll give that to them. There is always that BUT... I felt that Joseph Zeng who played Wuji wasn't his role. I really couldn't get into him but I did get into the child actor Zhou Yujing Hao who played the first Wuji was awesome then there was Han Hao Lin who played the 2nd Wuji and the 3rd Wuji played by Lu Zhan Xiang were all awesome... they made this story work from a child's standpoint.

The storyline was not confusing me but again, these dramas are using the male lead to line up the women and he will just fall in love with all of them. I believe if the writers didn't have so many women in love with Wuji... Zhi Ruo wouldn't go through her avenge moments to keep Wuji After all she met Wuji first and Wuji kept her in his heart until he became a man. But the screenwriters had to ruin it all by bringing a mean and spiteful female into the picture. Why do men always go for that type of woman... You see who he ended up with! I didn't feel any romantic chemistry with any of the ladies. I did feel just a tad bit that he had chemistry with the Princess with beautiful eyes.

Visual Effect was the best part of this drama series, loved the Martial art scenes. I didn't pay attention to the music and usually, that is a good sign that the music was good for me. KUDOS to Children Actors! BEST PART also.

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The Best Zhang Wu Ji Adaptation

I enjoyed very much this very good adaptation of the old story depicting the Condor Heroes or the young Hero Zhang WuJi. The scenery are very beautiful, the historical clothes are excellent, the ML and the FL are very actors and the martial arts was well executed. I watched and rewatched it.
Joseph Zeng was so loveable as the young hero Zhang Wuji. He looks so handsome, innocent and at the same time a formidable warrior. Chen Yu Qi is very beautiful, sweet and a very formidable opponent. The two of them makes a very lovely couple.
The martial arts effects are excellent and well executed.

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BEST ADAPTATION OF HSDS

I have watched several versions, the 1986,1994,2003, 2009 and this 2019 adaptations also the 1993 and 2022 movies and I will say that this is the best adaptation of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre so far. Jason Zheng as Zhang Wuji is perfect. He is handsome, talented and smart. I know he isn't the perfect leader and have soft spot for women but he is loyal and has a good heart. He will do everything to help everyone around him. Amongst the three great heroes in the Condor Trilogy, Zhang Wuji is my number 1, Yang Guo is second and Guo Jing is third. And special praise for Zhao Min played by Yukee Chen. She is so gorgeous and the perfect Zhao Min. So far I have watched this series three times and I may watch it again in the future.

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Best DS HS so far.
1. Too be honest first mainpoint is Actor and Actress are handsome and almost all are pretty
2. Angle of taking scene are good, drone etc
3. Good depth of focus
4. contains good poems and chinese moral lessons
5. small Zhang Wu ji played superb! by the small actors,
6. Storyline was made fluently
7. Good kungfu battle scene. not just visual effects of flying palms
8. Actors and actress played beautifully , like ZhangWuJi is kind and virtuous,
ZhiRuo is kind but too obedient
Zhao Min is playfull and smart
YangXiao is silent , and wise
9. Ending Song is great ( like any other chinese series should )
10. Great option of movie set, like inside the cave, the snowy mountains, Lake, etc

The only downside i see is how ZhangWuJi get his Nine Yang Manuals :D

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This is the best adaptation ive watched so far. i have watched HSDS 2009 numerous times but this version is better. it presents better story and a clear timeline. the story exceeds my expectation.
Story: i thought the story will be all the same with the previous versions or worse(like the other adaptation of JY novel like Return of the condor heroes 2006 and 2014, Legend of condor heroes 2008 and 2017) but this one present slightly different story and more logical. The beginning doesnt take too much episode before the main story. The ending is great! the war scene and the struggle that Wuji and Zhao Min face potrayed beautifully(not like HSDS 2009 which seems rather forced to end so the ending quite confusing). I also love how the director tells the love story between Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu.
Acting: at first i was rather suprised to see the older Zhang Wuji(Joseph Zeng). i thought he cant play Zhang wuji that is innocent and naive but im wrong. Joseph Zeng did a great job playing Zhang wuji and i like it a lot. Bambi Zhu playing Zhou Zhiruo was kind of expected seeing how she did a great job playing 'xuan nu' in Ten Miles of Peach Blossom which has two faced character. I like how Chen Yuqi potrayed a naughty, bossy and 'bitch attitude' Zhao Min. Her charm doesnt lose with Bambi Zhu strong character. but i'm not satisfied with how the love story between Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min went. i think i could be better. I love how the romance between Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min potrayed in HSDS 2009 by (Deng Chao playing ZhangWuji and Ady An playing Zhao Min) it was really sweet(This is what makes me watch HSDS numerous time haha). The fighting scene in this version is great but i think it was better in 2009 versions. Zhang Wuji in 2009 seems more badass by taking down all other sects' master
But overall, this version is the best so far and i would love to watch it again some other time

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Great Story Ruined by Un-likeable Characters.

Don't bother. Save your binge time on something else.

I have not read the novel this is based on. The only other adaption i have watched was the incomplete Jet Li movie - "Kung Fu Cult Master". Which was lots of fun. Sad there was no sequel with same cast.

Everyone likes an underdog story. It what makes shonen manga so popular. You have a weak character who goes through hardship, grows, powers up to become strong. You can't help but feel, relate and cheer on these characters.

This one however, by the halfway mark, felt like punching the ML in the face. lol. He is SOOOO very un-likeable.

He becomes powerful through lucky encounters only to show no growth or character development. In some cases, forgetting he was that powerful. Naive to the end of days, never learning a lesson or listening to his supposed trusted companions or parents. Only listening to the antagonist who happens to be a pretty girl. Before you can you blink, she has him eating out of her palms. Proper whipped. Out of nowhere lol. It's not even a fun time, as they are unlikeable.

There are other un-reasonably frustrating characters and developments, (omg head nun) but we won't go into them.

Be it, the original story, adaption, acting, cast or a combination of all, this is a wuxia story that i imagine inspired countless others, that just disappoints with un-likeable characters.

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INCONSISTENT

Saw a fight scene on youtube and got in to binge watching. Show was ok while the main lead was a kid, i say just ok because even then there was some huge nonsense logic, writing. Like the kid he's son of a hero, grandson of annother wealthy man, but he just wanders all his childhood alone, like a beggar, for whatever reason,and every one thinks it's normal. And it's just one plot hole, cause there are a lot. But the childs acting was great, so i got through.
Now. He grew up. The DUMBEST MF on the planet. The most annoying character in this drama is the main lead. I don't even want to go in the plot, writing, cause the plot its not even stupid, but on a verry high level stupid. It doesn't make any sense, like literally no sense. I'm at ep 19,and just can't bear anymore with this. I don't understand how those precedent reviews are positive, must be fake reviews like for other bs dramas.
Chinese have a HUGE potential for those kind of semi-wuxia drama, with amazing decors, huge ressources, all those ancient manors, beautiful actors, compared to kdramas they have ten times moore ressources. But the writers, directors etc, don't have a fkin clue what to do with it. A lot of the shows start ok, even verry well, and then... THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. They choke. I create this acount just to tell my opinion after seeing the positive reviews, i said no way i'm letting this pass this time, too many fake reviews.
Conclusion, don't wadte your time on this drzma like i did, it's really crap.

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