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Guo Jing Ming’s ambitious tribute to Tsui Hark: How did it turn out?
Having watched it fully and then rewatched this more than six months after it finished airing, I suggest this method to balance utmost enjoyment alongside addressing any quibbles: The first is to absorb at least twenty episodes of what unfolds with no expectations while revelling in the cinematography, intricate embellished costumes, gorgeous BGMs and lush sets accompanying an interesting group of humans and demons, while the second is utilising patience for at least twenty episodes even when noticing any plotholes, characterisation issues, and details clashing with each other within the first four episodes and beyond.Tsui Hark’s movies and certain fundamental concepts (1993 Green Snake and 1983 Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain) have clearly impacted this drama. At 27:21 for two seconds of episode 30, a certain visual is literally inspired by the final scene of the movie Green Snake. Karma, debt, and consequences are inevitable and unavoidable, given the two movies being referenced in homage to define this world of demons and humans.
Despite the burdens and responsibilities each individual carries, there is humour and camaraderie amongst the team. As the story progresses with each new demon the team meets across twenty episodes, a sense of inevitability is accompanied by hope that goodness will prevail and the team will overcome every challenge.
Drawing on the Classic of Mountains and Seas, Guo Jing Ming (GJM)’s efforts and dedication to exploring emotional ties and repairing relationships between humans and demons are as laudable as his attention to utilising that particular source to create the world of FoF. His flaws pertaining to self-indulgences for certain characters and sub-stories result in the opposite effect, thereby marring what could have been a unique timeless drama of humans and demons as friends, enemies and more.
These combined results will keep you eager to continue after 10 episodes, or dropping it before you finish episode 6. Wordplay in mandarin is hilarious. Wordplay in the bonus episode is anything but hilarious. Fight scene choreography is mostly enjoyable, some fights downright spell-binding such as in episode 8 being heartrending and gorgeous, but at times not lethal or urgent enough and hence unable to convey necessary impact such as parts of the final battle. Over-usage of music for some scenes was unnecessary. Silence would have deepened the emotional impact of certain scenes. Filters for flashbacks were inconsistent. That inconsistency is not GJM's biggest issue for this drama.
For the original story, four writers including GJM were involved. For the directors, three directors including GJM were involved. Six people were involved in the screenwriting. The final decisions can be attributed to GJM. After considering all this while watching, please go with the flow and make your own decisions. As to how two Tsui Hark movies defined certain fundamentals and details for this drama pertaining to karma and debts and inevitability (or the casting choices plus script choices and issues with the storyline): I do not want to include spoilers in this review, and only in a comment -> https://kisskh.at/755301-the-story-of-mystics#comment-22919316
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White Snake and Green Snake: Retelling of a classic by a Master Fimmaker of Hong Kong cinema
If you grew up with the classic legend of Madame White Snake, Tsui Hark’s vision here is a refreshing arresting remake of that story involving the same characters. Based on the post-modern take of author Lilian Lee with the same name for her novel, the movie explores contentious themes and makes one consider humanity more deeply.Two snake spirits in the Southern Song Dynasty finally leave the purple bamboo forest to live as humans. When seen through the eyes of Green Snake in this movie, certain deviations from the classic legend become understandably natural. Fat-hoi is not an old monk but a young handsome man who has become one with Buddha. Scholar Hsui Xien of the West Lake has two flaws which become impossible to ignore by the end of this tale. Green Snake and White Snake as individuals and as sisters are the pivotal relationship affecting their choices, once a certain conflict becomes unavoidable. Changes in the two main male characters contribute significantly to improving the plot and lessons of this retelling.
Tsui Hark also brings to life important elements and dimensions to the supernatural spirits (妖) and humans (人) in this movie, whereby knowing the differences and fundamentals for the four classes of 神人鬼妖 is necessary to understanding Fat-hoi's perspective in what he chooses to do within the first 7 minutes of this movie. Being human does not equate to being more morally righteous. An animal spirit cultivating and learning to be a human is about accepting what to do with limbs you are not used to, understanding emotions, seeing different perspectives from a very different world, and trying to decide how to act like a human. Humans do not necessarily understand emotions better than animals or supernatural spirits, especially love pertaining to different types of relationships.
In this wonderful retelling to transform what I grew up with, the relationship of White Snake and Hsui Xien finds a natural outcome. The relationship of changes between White Snake and Green Snake also intersects with that outcome, understandably through Green Snake making certain choices due to circumstances beyond her control but she must face. Who is the wiser sister? Were Hsui Xien’s choices correct? Is fate fair to all of them?
Karma and debt reach an understanding in poignant consequences and self-realisation. With limited screentime, Tsui Hark remarkably weaves and demonstrates the flaws and perspectives of relationships between Green Snake and White Snake, White Snake and Hsui Xien, Hsui Xien and Green Snake, plus Fat-hoi and Green Snake. Each character manages to grasp epiphanies, but at what cost?
Tsui Hark is a very talented storyteller and does not shy away from demonstrating certain elements and rawness, be it ugly or flawed or pitiful or enchanting. His grasp of the classic legend plus Lilian Lee's version, while deftly incorporating various topics such as Taoism, Buddhism and Chinese mythology is what enables this masterpiece. The end result is a touching unforgettable story of what could have been and how to look back at what has gone before. You, the viewer, are there in the moments with the characters and yet, you are not visible to them. There is no over-acting. The main cast and secondary characters have brought to life a story that would be portrayed exactly in this manner, if it were true in those times.
The soundtrack is a wonderful accompaniment to the scenery and story, lyrics rich in meaning. The art director, martial arts directors, and production sound mixers have helped to breathe life into a tale that I did not know I wanted for Madam White Snake (but I had always wanted a different version more encompassing and different for characters such as Green Snake), until I saw this in the late 90s..Tsui Hark allowed the main set to be wall-less. Gauzy fabrics were utilised. The art director and costume designer understood what he was going for. To portray the flowing changes of mood and atmosphere within the abode where the two snake sisters live including sensuality, the residence was based on Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty paintings, corridors and columns and gauzy fabrics able to create the necessary changes as per the story.
Peking Opera’s lead female role Qingyi was central to the clothing and costume designs for the two sisters. The actor for Hu Hsien was also trained in classical Peking Opera.
The English subtitles are very decent.
That said, the sets may have aged poorly if you expect the standards of modern special effects and technology. These sets capture a specific timeframe of nostalgia and beauty for me, and can be revisited in 4K restored version of the movie. Joey Wong embodies Bai Suzhen for Lilian Lee's novel brought to life, by turns innocent and wise and seductive. Maggie Cheung as the younger snake sister is transformational, aptly portraying Green Snake's learning, temper, bluntness, and attempts at being a proper human.
The impact of this iconic movie by Tsui Hark can be seen in the dramas of certain producers such as Guo Jing Ming, whereby a certain scene in episode 30 of the 2024 drama Fangs of Fortune is literally inspired by the final scene of this movie. There are other elements of this movie also inspirational and seen in that drama series, but that is not the point of this review.
Tsui Hark’s works such as the 1983 Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain and the 1992 New Dragon Gate Inn always contain vital lessons and elements guaranteed to make you think, haunting you long after the credits have rolled. This love of labour is no different, as seen in the final twenty seconds of the movie.
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Relish second chances and relationships, and don't forget the family!
This comedy-drama with a large chunk of romance is light, fun, yet realistic and plays out like a delightful puzzle connecting many hearts while hopefully inspiring viewers to study hard, cherish relationships and patiently consider the factors which influence personal choices. What if you had a second chance to change what you once did in school, for a future in university and beyond?Gu Xuejiao decides to take charge of second chances and embrace certain changes. Along the way, our lovable heroine's story interweaves and unfolds alongside the stories of her brother, her choice of tutor (Lin Zhihua), and certain friends including those who are not kind to her. Adapting a novel to screen isn't easy for multiple characters necessary to each other, especially with only 23 episodes. However, screenwriter Lan Baise and Director Cai Cong keep a streamlined focus on character development and relationships while incorporating plot devices alongside engaging wordplay. Peanuts are heartwarming positivity. Coding takes on a completely new meaning when verbally discussed. Finding friends to rely upon, sharing camaraderie and jokes and more- This drama might give you ideas and courage in overcoming obstacles.
A crucial factor for this drama involves the different parents of the five characters with the biggest screentimes in this drama, whereby these parents leave their impact on those children and in turn, also influences individuality of each character when it comes to relationships. Across 15 episodes, why each of the five characters turned out the way they did or once made specific choices will become clearer. Gu Xuejiao and Gu Mingze are fortunate in ways which the likes of Lin Zhihua and Zhou Shiyun are not. One specific relationship might make some viewers question why it even happens. Second chances take time depending on emotional wounds, and some people need more time than others... Especially when you consider the kind of parents you might be fortunate to have versus the parents which children don't deserve to suffer or be controlled by.
Sun Zhenni is happily relishing this role whereby she is not afraid to be whatever her character needs (reminding one of Carole Lombard from the Golden Age of Hollywood), and shines as Gu Xuejiao in a naturally expressive manner wielding delicate restraint in selected moments. Chen Jingke is the perfect foil and might make you see spectacles in a totally different light. "Relish" is the keyword here, whereby the cast is clearly having a blast acting out their individual quirks and emotions in this drama. Their synergy flows, and the end result is fresh while not taking itself too seriously with just the right touch of exaggeration or subtlety where needed, while aiming to address life through different perspectives with different personalities.
The full OST of 21 songs encapsulates a slice of time in life, whereby you will want to enjoy halcyon days and achieve your goals and be in school again... Breathing in the perfume of possibilities and romance amidst a fresh field of flowers or bouncy summer humidity. 《无效》 by 孙郎朗Billy is the rap song that might have you bopping along mentally, spreading good vibes. Wanting good things to happen to everybody is a noble kind aspiration to share via a drama. Will the characters leave you wanting to have good things happen for others, making good on second chances? All I can say is... Peanuts.
花生花生好事发生!
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