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Love the leads!
I can see why the main characters Sean Xiao and Wang Yi Bo became super famous after this drama. At first watch, I stopped watching it. It was months later I returned and not let the CGI bothered me that I enjoyed the story unfold itself. I am happy with the drama and make sure to check on the new dramas by the two new actors. The lead characters' chemistry really didn't flourish until after 10ish episodes but once the spark flew I was invested in their well beings and allowed their actings to take me to the world they created.The drama is worth the time on the story between the leads.
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as near to perfect as makes no difference
There's no point pretending this is an absolutely perfect series, because there's no such thing, but this comes so bloody close that it might as well be.I originally wasn't going to write a review for this, as much as I loved it, because there's 41 pages of reviews on this site for this series and the majority of them are positive - does it really need one more?
Well, I've decided that yes, it does.
As I stated above, no series is perfect and this one is no exception, but the only thing to really complain about are the sometimes rather bad special effects. The giant turtle and the giant wolf spring to mind, plus the non-appearance of a lot of the creatures the cultivators are supposed to hunt thanks to China's daft censorship laws.
Speaking of which, I'm going to get this complaint out of the way early. I was disappointed that a BL novel was adapted in to a censored series, but only in the sense that there were no kissing scenes. I'm a romantic sap and that's all I would have liked to have seen. I'm sure other people wouldn't have minded the, ahem, other stuff, but I would have been happy with some kissing.
HOWEVER this series is a romance in everything but name. It's very much a gay romance in the style of Hollywood during the Hays Code. Everything is implied and hinted at, sometimes very blatantly (the two main leads consider each other soulmates, ffs), so unless you're completely oblivious, you can see the two main leads are in love.
It doesn't stop there, however, as there are implications of romance between two of the other characters who aren't a couple in the book. If you watch it with a shipper's eye, it's very clear. This review is tagged for spoilers, but I don't really want to spoil things outright, so i leave anyone reading this to see for themselves.
On to more positive things.
The casting for this entire series is perfect. I don't think there's a miscast part in the entire line-up, and this has a *lot* of characters, so it would have been an easy thing to do. Xiao Zhan as Wei Wuxian and Wang Yibo as Lan Wangji was a casting masterstroke. They embody their characters so well I 'm certain no other actors would have worked. Xiao Zhan, in particular, is a fine actor.
The chemistry between the two leads is palpably there, which makes getting absorbed into their story so much easier.
The storyline itself can be a bit confusing, as we start out in the present time for the first two episode, and then a 31 episode flashback tells the backstory. i would recommend reading the Wikipedia article on The Untamed if you find yourself confused when you start watching. It helped me a lot. Especially understanding things like courtesy names and other concepts that someone who doesn't have an Asian heritage may not get.
I know some people may balk at the fact that this series is 50 episodes, but they are only around 42 minutes or so and they go by very quickly when you're engrossed in the story. There is also a shortened 'special edition' of the series on YouTube consisting of only 20 episode if that makes things easier.
One of the best things about this series, aside from the brilliant casting and all the lovely scenery (Lotus Pier is gorgeous and I want to live there) is the music. There is, of course, the main theme named 'Wangxian' in the series by Lan Wangji, but officially 'WuJi' on the soundtrack by the composer. There is a duet version by Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, plus the version that they each sing individually.
'Utter Innocence', Wen Ning's character song sung by actor Yu Bin, is lovely, and Xue Yang's character song 'No One Knows' sung by Charlie Zhou is the complete antithesis in tone and melody to his actual character. Also, and I know this is an overused cliche, but Charlie Zhou has the voice of angel. It's unbelievable.
The soundtrack is on iTunes if you, like me, decided you had to have the entire thing on your iPod. It's also on Spotify.
This series is Chinese, and the version I watched has been subtitled. I don't know if it's available dubbed, because I don't watch dubbed media (that's a personal preference, not a slight on anyone who needs or prefers dubbed media). It's available with English subtitles on Netflix and Rakuten Viki. I'm fairly confident other subtitles and dubbing are also available, but you would have to look at your Netflix and Viki settings, respectively.
So, to sum up, this series is impeccably cast, incredibly acted, features stunning scenery and gorgeous costumes, has an engaging and interesting storyline, a memorable soundtrack and I love it so much.
I hope you do too.
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I’M IN LOVE
The first 3-4 episodes were a bit confusing but every other episode was SOOO good. My love for this show is beyond anything I can describe.Every character has their own story and development where every micro expression is important. The actors of Lan Zhan and Wei Wu Xian played their roles excellently. Lan Zhans character is something I personally have never seen before. He didn’t have many expressions yet he still had so many. I fell in love with this show and the two main characters, to the point where it’s hard to let them go now💔.
I’ll have to say rewatching the show is probably a very good idea though. Some of the details and names/plots might’ve fell though which wouldn’t be surprising taking its complexity into account.
Now that I’ve finished this masterpiece I can’t wait to read the novel to get a better feel of the story from its original “state” and obviously to experience their uncensored bromance😉
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A Genuine Masterpiece
This such a beautiful drama. I can't begin to express how much I fell in love with Untamed and all it's characters along the way. Everything about this is wonderful. The cast and crew did an absolutely phenomenal job. The acting is on point. The sets and costumes are beautiful and super detailed. And the OST is breathtaking.If you're hesitating to watch this because of the long length, the story carries itself easily. The plot is engaging and keeps you on your toes. I love the gradual reveal of the storyline. It has so much emotional impact. My heart broke over and over for Wei Ying. There was not a moment I was not completely absorbed.
If you're wary because of the lack of BL, don't give it a second thought. I initially put this drama off in part because of the chinese censorship, but Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo embraced their characters and grabbed tight hold of subtle cues. I interpreted Wei Ying's and Lan Zhan's relationship as something past bromance, and the actors did a great job giving the viewers a soulmate impression. They're an absolute joy to watch together.
All the actors did justice to their roles and really brought the story of Untamed alive. Everything down to the minute details in this were perfect. I really can't say enough good things about it. Don't hesitate to watch this treasure.
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Masterpiece of Chinese series
One of my go to shows as the actors and production are incredible!This Xianxia show is based on a novel by a chinese writer and although its been altered a little bit due to Chinese censorship, its still a masterpiece.
What i especially like:
- Music
- animation of clan lands, beasts and fights,
- actors
- storyline which plays first in the present, then past and back to present of weiying and lan zhan. This storyline also makes more sense compared to the books as its easier to follow
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Gorgeous and surprisingly cynical
This particular show was one of the ones they got me through 2020, and the characters and story burrowed into my head so thoroughly that I’ve hardly stopped thinking about them since then. But I hadn’t revisited the series until now.It’s good, y’all. Like, legitimately good, in spite of a finale that seems to drag a villain monologue across several episodes. It’s also incredibly cynical; the world of The Untamed is so hopelessly corrupt that the only truly righteous option is to abandon it, which is of course what the Romantic (Satanic, Promethean) hero Wei Wuxian does.
Would it have been better with less censorship? Probably. But the filmmakers here have worked within their limits to produce a really quite remarkable piece of art.
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HONEST REVIEW
i saw many people's review some are 10 and some are 4in my opinion, its 10 like come on. When u first start to watch this drama plz be patient the acting in the first few episode are a bit off but it gets better. Xiao Zhan portrays wwx role very well and Yino portray's lwj's role well too. The eyes holds a lot of emotion in lwj's case so pay more attention to that.
The reason it got a 10 from mostly the novel reader is because they like the way the director put some clue's do that the readers could understand that they are together.
The headband tilt scene and that one scene where wwx is rlly tired and there is a incese burner before him. That scene really sparked joy among the novel readers.
Yes it has 50 ep but after it ends u will wish it had 100. Dont judge it so fast. I suggest reading the manhua after finishing the drama or reading it when u are in the middle. Thats what i did and i got excited even more.
WARNING: this contains heartbreak, incest , gore, manslaughter, cat killing(breifly mentioned), cut-sleeve and drinking vinegar. <33
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The Best thing to Ever Exist!
If there was one drama that deserves a 10/10 in history (and possibly forever) this is it!This drama truly has become a part of me now and will forever be <3 I have never gotten attached to any drama/movie! but this drama and Xiao Zhang took my heart away. I did not skip one scene ..not even the beginning theme <3 and never have I wanted a 50 Ep drama to be longer.. never ending to be precise :) <3
I will just never move on from The Untamed/mdzs and can't put into words how I feel about this drama, the love story, the sibling bonds, how LZ acted with his eyes and cut deep through our souls and how beautiful and BREATHTAKING my Wei Ying was ...
This indescribable Gem is full of life lessons and is far more than just a drama! It full of life lessons, life-changing quotes and leaves you to think deeply and reflect on yourself and the world around you. The Untamed truly changed my life for the better like nothing/ no one else ever has! Wei Ying became my role model and hero in every way and I learnt patience from Lan Zhan. Before getting to know Wei Ying, I did not consider myself as "patient" and I deeply cared about my image and what others thought about me. However, through this journey I went on with The Untamed, I was able to become a better version of myself :) I became one of the most patient people and did not even give a x what others thought of me which was unbelievable xD. And as I went through this Journey I realized why Wei Ying was able to transform Lan Zhan too...
It is very hard to put into words how much The Untamed/mdzs, Wei Wuxian, and Wangxian mean to me.
Thank you thank you for this Gem 😭🤍
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Awesome story, but sometimes show is too draggy..
Compared to the novel, this story line is more wholesome in a sense that expands on a lot of the side characters whereas the novel is concentrated on two main leads. Especially liked the extra scenes for Wen Qing and Yan Li definitely a bonus.Acting is pretty on paint for most of the cast, Xiao Zhan pulled off Wei Wu Xian well with such a bright and mouthy character. Wang Yi Bo didn't have many lines as Lan Zhan but acting managed to relay the important emotions.
Rest of cast is good too.
Production and costuming for the drama is really beautiful, lots of aerial shots of mountains and waterfall.
Music for the show grows on you over time, good chinese style music.
Drawback : the production spent too much time on scenes with too many staring and pauses. Felt quite lazy and fighting scenes is minimal compared to novel.
Also, for those new to Xianxia type story, it was very hard to understand the cultivation worlds rules and settings. I think the show doesn't really explain too well on the types of ghouls, spirits and other netherworldly incidents, it leaves the newly initiated with a lot of questions on why cultivators do what they did. Reading the novel aided me in that.
Overall, I enjoyed the drama most of the time (minus the long draggy conversation scenes)
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