Among other things–deliciously zany
A lot of series these days recycle the same old bland mush replete with prefabricated tropes picked up from Ikea. BACK FROM THE BRINK has a few items from that warehouse, but it’s also quirky and fun.
For example, I loved the way Yongzhou City was a nest of vipers and general daffiness. In one episode, YanHui, gives all her money away to a scammer in exchange for some useless, but hilarious, medical advice (“A powerful force will cure your heart”). Her would-be suitor, Guan Peng Yuan, rides down main street on the back of a giant tortoise. In a later scene, when the flaming dragon sword comes swooping back to the ML, the audience sees it coming–not in the sky–but reflected in one of his eyes. And I like the really creative way they sometimes transition between scenes. Little touches like this, added a boatload of zip to this drama.
I liked sections of this drama, but in other places the plot verges on idiocy. The “Bamboo Butterfly,” in episode 26 who manifests as a vain, middle-aged woman–a harridan who shrieks at Tianyao to divorce his wife and marry her is one example of overacting tinged with misogyny. I was embarrassed for the poor woman who had to play this role. To “win” the Ghostly Eulogy, our main couple must solve a series of ridiculous riddles, unworthy of a third-rate quiz show.
Overall, though, the cast–including most of the minor actors--was impressive. For example, Bai Xiao Sheng. Who doesn’t love a bad boy? (Hands go up.) OK, not everybody. Some of you would gladly strangle him. But personally, I like a little rascality in my demons.
And those pixie orphans, are to die for. Speaking of dying, one adorable little girl does just that. When I was about to get mad at the writers, I saw her eyelid twitch, reminding me that this is Fantasyville. Will Yunyun be back? Anything’s possible in this crazypants drama.
As for the ML, Hou Ming Hao’s face is always a perfect reflection of what his character, Tianyao, is feeling. How does this dude do it? For example, we (the audience) know that he’s sick with jealousy the minute he lays eyes on Bai Xiao Sheng’s dimples.
A few random criticisms:
Where does Yanhui and her female companions get those gorgeous gowns that never seen to get soiled when they wander through forests and deserts–and even when they get dunked in the water?
In spite of the fact that Tianyao is a demon who stabs his honey in the heart–not once, but twice–he can still convince the viewers, and eventually he convinces Yanhui, that he’s steadfast and true.
For example, I loved the way Yongzhou City was a nest of vipers and general daffiness. In one episode, YanHui, gives all her money away to a scammer in exchange for some useless, but hilarious, medical advice (“A powerful force will cure your heart”). Her would-be suitor, Guan Peng Yuan, rides down main street on the back of a giant tortoise. In a later scene, when the flaming dragon sword comes swooping back to the ML, the audience sees it coming–not in the sky–but reflected in one of his eyes. And I like the really creative way they sometimes transition between scenes. Little touches like this, added a boatload of zip to this drama.
I liked sections of this drama, but in other places the plot verges on idiocy. The “Bamboo Butterfly,” in episode 26 who manifests as a vain, middle-aged woman–a harridan who shrieks at Tianyao to divorce his wife and marry her is one example of overacting tinged with misogyny. I was embarrassed for the poor woman who had to play this role. To “win” the Ghostly Eulogy, our main couple must solve a series of ridiculous riddles, unworthy of a third-rate quiz show.
Overall, though, the cast–including most of the minor actors--was impressive. For example, Bai Xiao Sheng. Who doesn’t love a bad boy? (Hands go up.) OK, not everybody. Some of you would gladly strangle him. But personally, I like a little rascality in my demons.
And those pixie orphans, are to die for. Speaking of dying, one adorable little girl does just that. When I was about to get mad at the writers, I saw her eyelid twitch, reminding me that this is Fantasyville. Will Yunyun be back? Anything’s possible in this crazypants drama.
As for the ML, Hou Ming Hao’s face is always a perfect reflection of what his character, Tianyao, is feeling. How does this dude do it? For example, we (the audience) know that he’s sick with jealousy the minute he lays eyes on Bai Xiao Sheng’s dimples.
A few random criticisms:
Where does Yanhui and her female companions get those gorgeous gowns that never seen to get soiled when they wander through forests and deserts–and even when they get dunked in the water?
In spite of the fact that Tianyao is a demon who stabs his honey in the heart–not once, but twice–he can still convince the viewers, and eventually he convinces Yanhui, that he’s steadfast and true.
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