This review may contain spoilers
The worst adaptation and unbearable to watch
I have read the novel and watched the 1984, 1998, 2001, 2008 and 2014 version. I really don't mind if an adaptation takes a different direction, as long as it is still enjoyable. With this one, the over-the-top acting, comedic soap opera with repeating silly music on the background, the slow pacing and draggy on some parts and rush in other parts, it was really, really unbearable to watch.
I like the DOMD/Deer and the Cauldron for its history and political suspense in it, that I don't get in this version. Wei Xiaobao interaction with Chen Jinnan was really quick as if it was not important. I get it they want to make it more slapstick comedy, not satire political dark humor like the book, which is fine. The Dicky Cheung version 2001 took similar route with added comedy tone and liberation of the screenplay, but it was still enjoyable, and the acting was superb. This one, the opposite!
They introduced Princess Jian Ning earlier than in the novel, AND there were a lot of scenes of her that was really draggy, unnecessary for character development and annoying that it took screen time of other important characters. The main actor as Wei Xiaobao was physically fit to the novel's description. Wei Xiaobao in the novel is average looking and short. Too bad, his acting was really low quality. And... what is it with the mainland recent production cannot get proper age actors to play older characters? Ho Daifu was young, Empress Dowager was young. They both are supposed to be intimidating characters but nope, they were just young folks. Arrgh, the only one who seemed to know to act is the actor who played Kang Xi. But again, he also suffered from mediocre screenplay.
If you like slapstick comedy with over-the-top acting and illogical screenplay and mediocre production, this one is for you.
I like the DOMD/Deer and the Cauldron for its history and political suspense in it, that I don't get in this version. Wei Xiaobao interaction with Chen Jinnan was really quick as if it was not important. I get it they want to make it more slapstick comedy, not satire political dark humor like the book, which is fine. The Dicky Cheung version 2001 took similar route with added comedy tone and liberation of the screenplay, but it was still enjoyable, and the acting was superb. This one, the opposite!
They introduced Princess Jian Ning earlier than in the novel, AND there were a lot of scenes of her that was really draggy, unnecessary for character development and annoying that it took screen time of other important characters. The main actor as Wei Xiaobao was physically fit to the novel's description. Wei Xiaobao in the novel is average looking and short. Too bad, his acting was really low quality. And... what is it with the mainland recent production cannot get proper age actors to play older characters? Ho Daifu was young, Empress Dowager was young. They both are supposed to be intimidating characters but nope, they were just young folks. Arrgh, the only one who seemed to know to act is the actor who played Kang Xi. But again, he also suffered from mediocre screenplay.
If you like slapstick comedy with over-the-top acting and illogical screenplay and mediocre production, this one is for you.
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