1
Bit off more than it could chew, but still rather TASTY
So I'm a story guy, and a very picky one at that -- and unfortunately the story could have been the strongest point of this piece but unfortunately ended up the weakest element. Not weak, because the idea was really good -- but I gave the story an 8 because it didn't quite perfect master it's impressive and lofty goals.
Of the story --
1. A magical element is introduced into the story. My problem is we don't know why it was dropped off on the road, nor why it was picked back up, nor why it was easy to again find. Too easy and convenient. The story would have been stronger if something a character did made the mailbox come into existence, and something bad they did made it go away again. It was just a writer's device to get the story rolling.
2. I found it rather difficult to keep all the characters straight between the two time lines. Perhaps there were too many?
3. Because the magical element wasn't explained, the 'shifted' resolution was loose end city. I think they hoped that with all the razzmatazz between timelines we wouldn't notice, but we did. (Someone said the same in comments.)
4. I could have used a little less violence. We get it, gang warfare, but so much fighting conflicts with the many romantic elements of the show. It would be like if WEST SIDE STORY was almost half musical, half Fight Club.
Of the rest --
Loved the actors. I was wondering when I'd see Ren Youlun of MAKE A WISH fame. In both series he's great at being frustrated in stressful situations. I guess it's his thing. I was also great to see his MAKE A WISH cast mate Chen Hao Lan as the kind teacher character.
Wang Ying Lu is adorable as Ye Hai Tang, the girl with the Dad from Hell. She also had quite a range. I just wish someone would hand her a damn sandwich. It's bad enough watching a young girl being mistreated by a brute, but the fact she's a small twig of a lady made me cringe each time she was struck. One sandwich a day, Doctor's orders.
Zhou Yi Ran was a standard issue C-Drama cute boy, but at the same time he wasn't generic. He was new to me (Like Wang Ying Lu) and they both did a lot of heavy lifting in this how.
Then we're treated to some great supporting actors sprinkled about two time lines. Too many to list, but standouts were Rat, the guy that played his boss and pool hall owner, the chubby security guard, and the mean/not so mean boy at the school. Which ever company produced this didn't have the big names like many shows but they found some really solid actors.
The photography was really great. So many Chinese shows present China as perfect and beautiful, which is ridiculous because the prettiest city on the planet has... outskirts... run down ghettos. This series got real with locations.
The music was okay but overused a bit in such a short series.
I made one funny rating -- I said this show has a very high rewatch value. I don't see this because it's perfect. I'm saying the confusing narrative may make better sense on the second pass, lol
THE BIG PICTURE -- I recommend the series to anybody, but it's not as good as short series like TO THE WONDER and FORGET YOU NOT and INTERLACED SCENES, which didn't bite off more than they could chew.
Of the story --
1. A magical element is introduced into the story. My problem is we don't know why it was dropped off on the road, nor why it was picked back up, nor why it was easy to again find. Too easy and convenient. The story would have been stronger if something a character did made the mailbox come into existence, and something bad they did made it go away again. It was just a writer's device to get the story rolling.
2. I found it rather difficult to keep all the characters straight between the two time lines. Perhaps there were too many?
3. Because the magical element wasn't explained, the 'shifted' resolution was loose end city. I think they hoped that with all the razzmatazz between timelines we wouldn't notice, but we did. (Someone said the same in comments.)
4. I could have used a little less violence. We get it, gang warfare, but so much fighting conflicts with the many romantic elements of the show. It would be like if WEST SIDE STORY was almost half musical, half Fight Club.
Of the rest --
Loved the actors. I was wondering when I'd see Ren Youlun of MAKE A WISH fame. In both series he's great at being frustrated in stressful situations. I guess it's his thing. I was also great to see his MAKE A WISH cast mate Chen Hao Lan as the kind teacher character.
Wang Ying Lu is adorable as Ye Hai Tang, the girl with the Dad from Hell. She also had quite a range. I just wish someone would hand her a damn sandwich. It's bad enough watching a young girl being mistreated by a brute, but the fact she's a small twig of a lady made me cringe each time she was struck. One sandwich a day, Doctor's orders.
Zhou Yi Ran was a standard issue C-Drama cute boy, but at the same time he wasn't generic. He was new to me (Like Wang Ying Lu) and they both did a lot of heavy lifting in this how.
Then we're treated to some great supporting actors sprinkled about two time lines. Too many to list, but standouts were Rat, the guy that played his boss and pool hall owner, the chubby security guard, and the mean/not so mean boy at the school. Which ever company produced this didn't have the big names like many shows but they found some really solid actors.
The photography was really great. So many Chinese shows present China as perfect and beautiful, which is ridiculous because the prettiest city on the planet has... outskirts... run down ghettos. This series got real with locations.
The music was okay but overused a bit in such a short series.
I made one funny rating -- I said this show has a very high rewatch value. I don't see this because it's perfect. I'm saying the confusing narrative may make better sense on the second pass, lol
THE BIG PICTURE -- I recommend the series to anybody, but it's not as good as short series like TO THE WONDER and FORGET YOU NOT and INTERLACED SCENES, which didn't bite off more than they could chew.
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