The story of nation told in 5 parts with a little something for everyone
On the positive side the Visual artistic elements of the show are top notch. The cinematography is some of the best you will ever come across. The costumes are top notch. They make the most of a limited setting. There are some good an experienced actor, given important roles. The music is beautiful for the most part, however the soundtrack is not striking. The main strength and weakness of the show is in the narrative artistic elements. The action work is middle of the road.
The show starts well, it sets up a good premises. Most people will enjoy it I think. The ending does not seem to be as good as the start but it's not the fault of the show for the most part. The bad parts are mostly due to poor narrative transitions, which are rushed.
This was a show that will pull the audience in two directions. In one respect it was too short. In another respect it was too long. What I man by this is that the series is giving us a series of stories to help us understand what the main character becomes, and how this affects the friends and rivals of the main character. In a way you this is five different shows. Two of the shows don't get enough love and development. They will thus look rushed, feel boring and I think most people will struggle to care. These are the sections that are too short. One story is really good, but it took too long to get to its climax. So, it starts to feel like it is taking forever. Another show is so obvious as to where it will go, it was cliched and boring but because these events are all tied to the same characters, the flaws are bearable. I have yet to complete the last story which has some good dramatic elements but so far it seems rushed and lacks some of the elements that made some of the other stories in the series interesting. I can parallel it to Six Flying Dragons. Where you get to see the rivalries, friendships and loves to affect the fate of a nation and the families that set the agenda for the nation.
As for the narrative
Setting is typical for the genre. The plot experiments with aspects that have been done to death, by subverting certain expectations and creating a few surprises. There is an ensemble cast whereby some you want to see more of, they make the story feel too short. some you wish to have seen less of, they made the story feel too long. Sometimes the story chose to follow the wrong main character for the story it was telling. Sometimes the use of time jumps hurt the story rather than help the story. The tying together of a few plotlines was rushed in a few cases. Those with an interest in the martial arts will find certain elements unbelievable, but most of us know nothing about those kinds of fights, so it will bother a few nerds such as myself.
I think most people will like the show. There is a little something for everyone, but throwing in those many crumbs will annoy most people as well. The show will feel good, but you cannot call it great either. You will find much to praise, also much to nitpick. The author likes to tease using cliches. Then you will find the things you find great, are the things that will make others nitpick. Those who like actions, will wish for more action. Those who like intrigue will wish for more intrigue. Those who like romance will wish for more romance. Those who like character drama will wish for more character drama. When the show hits its stride, few will find it boring. It's getting to those heights, those payoffs that will be hard for those who won't enjoy the many small crumbs it gives to keep you watching. One thing that I will praise of the characterization is there are times shows it genuinely felt there were several clever people in conflict with each other. I find it annoying where there is only one character who has magical intelligence compared to everyone else. Here you see the interplay of different strengths and weaknesses even when the outcome is obvious.
Thematically it can be preachy at times, absurd in some of the ideas it presents and tackles. There was even a serious conversation that wasn't supposed to make me laugh, but it did. It also has this mix of really realistic reactions to certain things on the part of the characters, and at times amazingly fantastical things.
So, I wish this show had been given more time, to flesh out some of the plot threads, and received a different climax. It is a hard show to binge. It is an easy show to enjoy. It is also a very annoying show. A solid seven. It is not a waste of time to watch for most people. You will not like all of it but you will find some parts truly great.
The show starts well, it sets up a good premises. Most people will enjoy it I think. The ending does not seem to be as good as the start but it's not the fault of the show for the most part. The bad parts are mostly due to poor narrative transitions, which are rushed.
This was a show that will pull the audience in two directions. In one respect it was too short. In another respect it was too long. What I man by this is that the series is giving us a series of stories to help us understand what the main character becomes, and how this affects the friends and rivals of the main character. In a way you this is five different shows. Two of the shows don't get enough love and development. They will thus look rushed, feel boring and I think most people will struggle to care. These are the sections that are too short. One story is really good, but it took too long to get to its climax. So, it starts to feel like it is taking forever. Another show is so obvious as to where it will go, it was cliched and boring but because these events are all tied to the same characters, the flaws are bearable. I have yet to complete the last story which has some good dramatic elements but so far it seems rushed and lacks some of the elements that made some of the other stories in the series interesting. I can parallel it to Six Flying Dragons. Where you get to see the rivalries, friendships and loves to affect the fate of a nation and the families that set the agenda for the nation.
As for the narrative
Setting is typical for the genre. The plot experiments with aspects that have been done to death, by subverting certain expectations and creating a few surprises. There is an ensemble cast whereby some you want to see more of, they make the story feel too short. some you wish to have seen less of, they made the story feel too long. Sometimes the story chose to follow the wrong main character for the story it was telling. Sometimes the use of time jumps hurt the story rather than help the story. The tying together of a few plotlines was rushed in a few cases. Those with an interest in the martial arts will find certain elements unbelievable, but most of us know nothing about those kinds of fights, so it will bother a few nerds such as myself.
I think most people will like the show. There is a little something for everyone, but throwing in those many crumbs will annoy most people as well. The show will feel good, but you cannot call it great either. You will find much to praise, also much to nitpick. The author likes to tease using cliches. Then you will find the things you find great, are the things that will make others nitpick. Those who like actions, will wish for more action. Those who like intrigue will wish for more intrigue. Those who like romance will wish for more romance. Those who like character drama will wish for more character drama. When the show hits its stride, few will find it boring. It's getting to those heights, those payoffs that will be hard for those who won't enjoy the many small crumbs it gives to keep you watching. One thing that I will praise of the characterization is there are times shows it genuinely felt there were several clever people in conflict with each other. I find it annoying where there is only one character who has magical intelligence compared to everyone else. Here you see the interplay of different strengths and weaknesses even when the outcome is obvious.
Thematically it can be preachy at times, absurd in some of the ideas it presents and tackles. There was even a serious conversation that wasn't supposed to make me laugh, but it did. It also has this mix of really realistic reactions to certain things on the part of the characters, and at times amazingly fantastical things.
So, I wish this show had been given more time, to flesh out some of the plot threads, and received a different climax. It is a hard show to binge. It is an easy show to enjoy. It is also a very annoying show. A solid seven. It is not a waste of time to watch for most people. You will not like all of it but you will find some parts truly great.
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