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This is a masterpiece
I loved this so much, the plot is great and the way Xiao Zhan plays Guo Jing makes it so perfect. His acting skills are amazing make you feel every feeling he feels. Everyone in the cast is awesome too, the story gets really alive. I will surely watch it again. It has some legendary scenes I really can't forget. One of the best movies I've ever watched.Was this review helpful to you?
For me it is a new masterpiece in martial arts seen...and the other actors performed beautifully, giving a sublime touch to this film
Congratulations to Chinese actor Xiao Zhan and the entire team!
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A Hauntingly Beautiful Film
This film leaves a profound impression—I found myself drifting in and out of sleep, still enveloped in its scenes. One aspect that truly surprised me was Xiao Zhan’s portrayal of Guo Jing. His solid, robust physique perfectly captures the essence of the character, making him feel remarkably real. The Mongolian actors were equally outstanding, not merely performing but embodying the spirit of true warriors from the steppe.With its rich visual storytelling and deeply resonant dialogue, this film is one to be savored. It transcends the narrative of the Southern Song Dynasty, conveying a profound empathy for both the Mongolian grasslands and the people of the Southern Song. Several moments brought me to tears, stirring emotions that felt raw and deeply persona
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A war-focused movie which might be more enjoyable for fans who have background knowledge
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25“Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants” is my first movie of 2025 and I even watched this in the theater! This movie is an adaptation of the first book of the Condor Trilogy but focuses on a more mature Guo Jing and Huang Rong, and the war between Mongolia and the Jin and Song Dynasties. If you have not read the books or the many TV drama adaptations, this movie is just like any other big production war movie. Whether this is a good thing or not, it’s up to the viewer. Afterall, the movie is only 2.5 hours long and you can’t really fit everything into a movie.
Plot:
If you have not read the novel or watched the TV drama, the first 15-20 minutes gave a quick recap of everything that happened between Guo Jing and Huang Rong (romance and quick adventure), and how Guo Jing became the martial artist that he is. The rest of the drama is about how Guo Jing and Huang Rong try to find each other again, and the war development between Mongolia and the Jin Dynasty, with a side story of the Poison Master Ouyang Feng’s quest. Although I am understanding of the time limitation, I can’t help but feel a tiny bit disappointed when the focus is not on the martial arts world and on Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Their adventure together is the best part of the book. Because that part is missing, even when they found each other again, it’s missing that emotional ecstasy (but then, I am also a hopeless romantic).
Casting:
I was unsure about casting Xiao Zhan as the somewhat naive and ‘dumb’ Guo Jing. But since the movie focuses on a more mature version of Guo Jing, I think Xiao Zhan did a pretty good job. His big eyes are able to convey innocence, justice and strong beliefs, but not clueless as who Guo Jing once was in the drama adaptation, such as Yang Xu Wen’s version in 2017. Unfortunately, this version of a mature Huang Rong is missing the spark I’ve seen in Barbara Yung’s version in 1983, or Li Yi Tong’s version in 2017. Sabrina Zhuang is not doing a bad job, but something is missing in this intelligent yet still cunning version of Huang Rong. I’m happy to see the movie included Mongolian actors, in addition to a few from Hong Kong. Quite a bit of Mongolian is spoken in the movie but I have no way of knowing if they were done well. At least everything sounded believable. The rest of the supporting cast did fabulous. With some fabulous makeup, Tony Leung is an unrecognizable Ouyang Feng (especially the last scene) and I can’t say I wasn’t surprised to see Ada Choi played a mother figure (I feel so old seeing her).
Production:
You can’t deny this is a big budget production - the number of soldiers in the field, the great wars and battles, sets and costumes. Big fights are usually done with special effects, and these are not cheap special effects. But because the Condor Heroes to me is a wuxia trilogy more than a war trilogy, I can’t help but be a little disappointed in the lack of real fights. I want to see traditional martial arts fights with close contact combat. I might have gotten 2-3 scenes of good fights, but the rest is usually CGI-fighting or arrows shooting.
Would I recommend it? Yes. I would, especially if you are a fan of the novel/drama and a fan of Xiao Zhan. But if you don’t have some of the background, “Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants” is only just another war movie. If you don’t mind, it’s still very enjoyable given the good acting and excellent supporting cast. Lastly, I want to add that if you watched the old 1983 Hong Kong version, it really brought back memories when the theme song starts to play. Just a few notes and I immediately recognize it. I think the song was also used in the 2017 drama and again here as the background music in the 2025 movie. But the main theme song of the movie is a battle-themed song sung in Mongolian. That’s a nice touch!
Completed: 3/2/2025 - Review #549
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This review may contain spoilers
A Martial Arts Cinematic Feast for the Eyes
First time in over a decade I went to the movie theater to watch something and it was an XZ film. I went in just like I go see any movie, no expectations and just enjoy what I'm about to watch hopefully. I can say for sure this was the type of film that you can only watch in the theater to get the full effect. It really was a martial arts cinematic feast for the eyes with a very LOTR vibe to it.Pros: The martial arts were top notch and given the director's experience in that sector, not a surprise. The large scale battles were amazing and breath taking. All of the actors delivered and I have to give it up to XZ as GJ for being able to so convincingly speak Mongolian; I mean monologues of it at a time. A total foreign language nothing like his own. The ending showdown between GJ and very creepy looking OYF was by far the best. Costumes, sceneries, CGI, OSTs, all the aesthetics were top notch. There are several battle scenes during ending credits so don't miss out by running away before the lights come on. There were comedic scenes which broke from the seriousness of the situations.
Cons: The greatest and saddest part that was lacking was the storyline. If you didn't know the plot to begin with you would have been very lost here. Thankfully, I watched last year's LOCH: HB series, though itself not great, I at least had an idea of the storyline. Because here everything was so rushed through that you had no idea how the leads met, when GJ met his shifus, or the guy who got him started on his path to greatness. Literally everything about the story was condensed into maybe 15 minutes of screen time. The 7 freaks dying on the island save one was done in 30 seconds and neither HR nor HJ were given the proper screen time to have a proper connection with GJ. Everything was battle focused.
I disagree with many and say that GJ had way more chemistry with HR than HJ who seemed more like a little sister though both of those were mere moments in time. Same could be said about GJ and his mom who it seemed to appear on screen for a maximum of 5-10 minutes total before she kills herself to not be used by Great Khan anymore as leverage. Another thing that made me scratch my head, the entire film the Great Khan spoke in Mongolian and in his last scenes, he busts out the Mandarin and it was like wait what? What just happened; completely inconsistent. Had this film been properly executed, it should have maybe been a trilogy like LOTR so the wonderful story wouldn't have been sacrificed for the sake of fight scenes; though very awesome ones.
Would I recommend it? Yes. If you're a fan of wuxia and the original work of the writer, you're in for a feast. The battles were absolutely phenomenal and it was a very entertaining film.
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Great movie and definitely worth my times
The story line:It's a fast pace movie that keeps you interested the whole time. This section of the book is not shown in a lot of the TV series adaptation. The director is smart to choose this part, otherwise, it will feel repetitive as there are many version remake already.
Acting:
All the actresses and actors fulfill their roles completely. I've seen a lots of comments and complaints about actors and actresses but my opinions is different. The princess and Huang Rong were both strong, smart, and beautiful in their own way. The two actresses that play these roles are great and fit their role completely, especially the princess.
Xiao Zhan is great as always, so handsome, acting is on point. All the veterans are excellent well.
Action:
I think it's a good balance of action with little romance. My daughter said she wants more action but what can there be more when it's only 2.5 hrs. There are some computer effects but the fighting scenes are well done with lots of movement. It is not just standing and move their hands for magic power. The horse riding part is well done and all of them actors and actresses seem like they've been riding horses all their lives. Everyone is well trained and prepared for their role completely.
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Disappointment
I had high expectations from the movie. It was said to be a highly praised production. However, when I watched it; despite the familiar subject and a few TV series and movies that had been made, it was handled very poorly and could not go beyond being an ordinary movie. It gave that impression. There were supposedly good actors. The costumes were good. The action scenes were good. But that was it. The way it was handled was very simple, superficial. There was no proper love. There was no emphasis on brotherhood. It was an empty copy. I gave points for effort. It was a disappointment for me.Was this review helpful to you?
A Waste of Potential
From the moment Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants was announced, expectations were sky-high. With an incredible cast and the rich legacy of Jin Yong’s beloved novel, this adaptation had the potential to be a standout wuxia drama. Unfortunately, while the production boasts high-quality visuals and well-executed fight sequences, it ultimately falls short in the most crucial aspect—the storytelling.The biggest issue lies in the narrative. Instead of delivering an engaging, character-driven epic, the show stumbles with a disjointed plot that lacks emotional depth. Key moments that should have carried weight feel rushed or underdeveloped, making it difficult to truly connect with the characters. Even the romance and brotherhood, usually strong elements in Legends of the Condor Heroes adaptations, feel hollow and underwhelming.
Despite the script’s shortcomings, the cast does its best to breathe life into the story. The lead actors deliver commendable performances, embodying their characters with skill and charisma. However, even the most talented actors can only do so much when the writing fails to give them compelling material to work with.
Visually, the series impresses with stunning cinematography, well-choreographed action sequences, and beautifully designed costumes. The fight scenes are one of the few highlights, showcasing the grace and intensity expected from a wuxia drama. But without a strong emotional core, even the most spectacular battles feel empty.
In the end, Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants is a disappointing adaptation that wastes both its talented cast and its legendary source material. While it may still appeal to viewers looking for eye-catching fight scenes and a nostalgic connection to the original story, those hoping for a truly engaging and memorable wuxia drama will likely be left unsatisfied.
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Xiao Zhan has reached the status of Legends.
Up, imma need everyone to stand, so we can applaud this masterpiece. Y’all can’t even spell epic. Anyway, this is a review from an international fan who definitely, no lies, fingers crossed, watched this movie with their own two eyeballs. Source: dude trust me. I watched it. My words are as true and real as my auntie’s church wig. I super watched this movie. I swear on my ancestor’s goat.Okay I lied, I didn't watch it before, but I finally got to see it with my own eyeballs after its online released and it was amazing. The whole production was so grand, the fight scenes with the martial arts had me on my seat. Xiao Zhan was amazing of in this role course, and I loved the two female characters. After Guo Jing I liked that venom villain character, he was so dramatic and funny. That final show down fight when he barrel through the Mongolian army was really cool.
The story was great, though I was sitting behind the screen going 'fight fight fight' in the final fight scene waiting to see a showdown between father and son and was disappointed, Sure, talking it out peacefully was nice, but I wanted to see Guo Jing do more martial arts stuff. In the romance department, I was so frustrated when the chief of the beggar's kept hiding from Guo Jing but I understood, cuz at least in the end they got their happy ending. That sword chicken lightning scene when they finally met was amazing, I was like awwww romance, love, hugging, rain, where is my kiss?
Overall, an amazing movie with lots of epic scenes, and really good plot. The actors played their characters well, and I wished it was longer.
***Below my review before I officially watched it***
Listen, Xiao Zhan as Guo Jing is hands down, the best decision a production team ever made. He was amazing in this movie. From the opening scene where he said that line about the…stuff with words, to the ending scene where he did that thing with the…the other thing in that one place, everything about this movie screamed masterpiece.
From the cast, music, location, cinematography, direction to the script, the team behind this movie understood the assignment, and the end result was an epic movie that is going down in China’s film industry as one of the best movies ever made. The movie have already broken so many records it’s in a league of its own.
I feel blessed just being able to watch this, and seeing how talented Xiao Zhan was. He embodied Guo Jing to perfection, and did great bringing him to life. Bare faced, yet not only did he serve face, he served talent. The way he delivered his lines, making us feel every emotion his character was going through. Those martial arts moves alone made every minute of his movie worth it. What a talented young man.
My favourite scene was the one where Guo Jing was at that place, you know the one with the sky and the earth, and he was wearing clothes, and there was definitely air, cuz he was breathing, and he said… words with his mouth. Yeah, that scene was amazing, I super loved it. And that scene with the bird and the horse, and the one with romance and the girl. Oh and the one with the soldiers and the fighting and the martial masters, and all the element wielding. Those were amazing. Hush your face, I’m not lying, I saw the movie with my own eyes in the cinema, in that one town in China, you know, the one with people and roads, and buildings. Yeah, that one. I had a seat at the back, and eat popcorn with fish sticks. Real stuff.
Anyway, don’t ask me the name of the cinema where I watched this, or the price of the ticket. Just trust me, I definitely watched it. I know haters gonna say I didn’t watch this, but they jealous, cuz guess what, I watched it.
One day, I will get to watch this movie and… (not that I have not watched it. I have. I’m just saying, I’ll watch it… one day. ^^ ) and my review would remain the same. Cuz, Xiao Zhan is in this drama and that dude is allergic to making subpar projects. Plus, I hear director Tsui Hark is a legend, so what do you get when you put two talents together? A masterpiece! You’re welcome.
I’m looking forward to XZ’s next work, Zang Hai Zhuan looks epic already. Real talk though, when would all international fans get a win? We couldn’t even get WM on streaming platforms when it dropped and had to listen to it illegally on the tube. I waited years for him to give us an album. I’m not complaining though, I love Xiao Zhan forever and a day, so imma still be here, but please throw us something… anything!
Anyway, yeah, so, from someone who definitely super watched this movie, I’ll highly recommend it to everyone. Rush to the cinema and watch it now. Take your family, your friends, that one uncle you don’t like, heck bring your ancestors too, everyone needs to watch this incredible adaptation. Also Xiao Zhan is in it… so, enough said.
Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. (that's when I wrote this review) May we all get to see Xiao Zhan in person one day.
AN: In case you didn’t get it, this is my place-holder review (not that I haven’t seen it already, I have, trust me.) until my eyeballs get bless as well. I’ll be back with a full review when that happens.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the better Condor Hero adaptationns.
Overall I really enjoyed this movie. The music, costumes, sets, vfx, and just overall production was top notch. The story was serviceable but was made up by the performance by the cast. The actor/actress for Guo Jing and Huajun stood out to me in particular. The portrayal of Huang Rong was fine to me. She just felt a bit too passive, looking around alot. I also appreciated that they spoke Mongolian whenever it was present. For a big chunk of the movie as well, not just a few phrases.But.....this is coming from someone who has seen the other adaptations and knows the story. Which leads to some criticisms.
The movie does not cover the entire first part of the trilogy, but rather a section of it. To catch viewers up to speed on what has happened with our main characters, the film had a 10-15 minute compilation/recap of the story along with flashbacks here and there. I personally thought they were well done, for....someone who is already familiar with the story. If you are a new viewer, you might be a bit lost with all the names, lore, and relationship they throw at you. Even within the movie, the characters act as if the viewer already know of them and their relations. The way the recap and flashback scenes presented also felt like it was taken from or was a part of a previous prequel film. Because this definitely felt like the 2nd or 3rd movie of a longer series.
My last comment is more of a personal preference. When watching wuxia , I like the martial arts to be a bit more hand to hand combat with some fantasy/supernatural elements. In this movie, they went all out on the special effects for the fighting. Almost like Air and Firebenders going at it. At one point I laughed thinking wow they did Avatar the last Airbender better than the actual live action.
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:(
This is probably the worst movie I've seen this year, so far. I love Xiao Zhan, but omg can someone pls advise that boy to pick better projects? The editing, the dubbing, the story, the special effects, all of it was torture. The 2 1/2 stars are due to Xiao Zhan, who btw looks gorgeous with that tan. I want more of him, but also I want better writing.Was this review helpful to you?
