Modern wuxia adaptation
I love superhero movies and wuxia stories. Hence, it’s fascinating to see superhero movies imbued with Chinese culture, values and history on screen.
Like a modern wuxia series, I am Nobody is the typical origin story of a nobody with great power and responsibility that might change the world. Zhang Chulan got wrapped up into the world of Outsiders after his grandfather passed. While his grandfather didn’t utter any legacy quote during his passing, Zhang Chulan quickly found out that more people wants his inherited power for their own use. Fortunately, he met Feng Bao Bao and NDT. Even if they aren’t friends, they at least aren’t foes.
As Zhang Chulan and us understand the world of Outsiders more, more questions arise about the origin of his inherited powers and other equally powerful Supreme Skills, as well as Feng Bao Bao’s origin, someone who seem to be above the Supreme Skills.
The humor is slapstick and over-the-top kind, while not my favorite, it’s something that I can grow fond of as I get more immersed into the world.
However, the story pace seem to “ran out of gas” somewhere in the middle part. Maybe it was a mismatched expectation on my part - I was expecting a story where Chulan slowly gained camaraderie and ally as we get to know more Outsiders. Like the Avengers, they come together to fight the greater evil despite their differences. While there are moments like these, I don’t feel that the camaraderie fits well into the plot and finale. Alas, it’s a story centered on Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao. If that’s the case, some arc of the stories seem to be like filters, though it gets us to understand the side characters a little more. And since it’s clear the comic is still ongoing, it feels slightly disappointing that the greater mystery still remains a mystery.
Overall, this is an adaptation done well. Peng Yu Chang and Wang Ying Lu are well casted as the main characters. With its action packed story plot, solid characters, and stunning CGI, this is an enjoyable ride.
Like a modern wuxia series, I am Nobody is the typical origin story of a nobody with great power and responsibility that might change the world. Zhang Chulan got wrapped up into the world of Outsiders after his grandfather passed. While his grandfather didn’t utter any legacy quote during his passing, Zhang Chulan quickly found out that more people wants his inherited power for their own use. Fortunately, he met Feng Bao Bao and NDT. Even if they aren’t friends, they at least aren’t foes.
As Zhang Chulan and us understand the world of Outsiders more, more questions arise about the origin of his inherited powers and other equally powerful Supreme Skills, as well as Feng Bao Bao’s origin, someone who seem to be above the Supreme Skills.
The humor is slapstick and over-the-top kind, while not my favorite, it’s something that I can grow fond of as I get more immersed into the world.
However, the story pace seem to “ran out of gas” somewhere in the middle part. Maybe it was a mismatched expectation on my part - I was expecting a story where Chulan slowly gained camaraderie and ally as we get to know more Outsiders. Like the Avengers, they come together to fight the greater evil despite their differences. While there are moments like these, I don’t feel that the camaraderie fits well into the plot and finale. Alas, it’s a story centered on Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao. If that’s the case, some arc of the stories seem to be like filters, though it gets us to understand the side characters a little more. And since it’s clear the comic is still ongoing, it feels slightly disappointing that the greater mystery still remains a mystery.
Overall, this is an adaptation done well. Peng Yu Chang and Wang Ying Lu are well casted as the main characters. With its action packed story plot, solid characters, and stunning CGI, this is an enjoyable ride.
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