2
8
1
So much potential wasted -- again
What all of the four-and-a-half VBL productions I've watched so far have in common is that they take an intriguing premise with a lot of potential for interesting world building and plot with depth -- and then turn it into a piece of fluffy romance.
So, when I saw that "Fight for You" was another VBL production, I knew what I was in for:
* attractive main and secondary characters,
* fluff, and maybe sexy romance,
* shallow plot that never explores the rich potential for story and characters,
* the main hurdle to overcome does not naturally follow from the premise but is derived from a romance cliché,
* mediocre to great acting,
* solid camera work.
And I got all of that.
In this case, the acting was good to great -- I loved Nelson Li's performance and hope to see him in something with more depth -- and the plot was thankfully not too full of holes (like it was in "Eternal Butler") or fell apart (like in "Stay by my Side"). The background music consisted mainly of pop songs that are fine on their own but not really working as background music (same as it was in "You are Mine"), often more distracting than enhancing the experience.
And the end was so cheesy that I could have hosted a fondue party for my extended family.
The secondary couple was superfluous here and they did them a disservice in tacking them on to this drama instead of giving them their own story. (Also, why the need for monogamy?)
So:
Was it good? -- For a VBL drama, it was alright. But I do wish VBL's writers would finally commit to their plot ideas instead of reducing themselves to the (perceived?) tastes of the masses. What's most disappointing with their dramas is that there's so much more potential for a great story, layered characters and, especially as their stories are all set in the same universe, intricate world-building.
Did I like it? -- I am maybe not the best judge here, because I knew what I would be getting into when I started.
Who would I recommend it to? -- To BL fans who really want a drama to help pass the time while ogling (mostly clothed, alas!) cute / attractive guys.
So, when I saw that "Fight for You" was another VBL production, I knew what I was in for:
* attractive main and secondary characters,
* fluff, and maybe sexy romance,
* shallow plot that never explores the rich potential for story and characters,
* the main hurdle to overcome does not naturally follow from the premise but is derived from a romance cliché,
* mediocre to great acting,
* solid camera work.
And I got all of that.
In this case, the acting was good to great -- I loved Nelson Li's performance and hope to see him in something with more depth -- and the plot was thankfully not too full of holes (like it was in "Eternal Butler") or fell apart (like in "Stay by my Side"). The background music consisted mainly of pop songs that are fine on their own but not really working as background music (same as it was in "You are Mine"), often more distracting than enhancing the experience.
And the end was so cheesy that I could have hosted a fondue party for my extended family.
The secondary couple was superfluous here and they did them a disservice in tacking them on to this drama instead of giving them their own story. (Also, why the need for monogamy?)
So:
Was it good? -- For a VBL drama, it was alright. But I do wish VBL's writers would finally commit to their plot ideas instead of reducing themselves to the (perceived?) tastes of the masses. What's most disappointing with their dramas is that there's so much more potential for a great story, layered characters and, especially as their stories are all set in the same universe, intricate world-building.
Did I like it? -- I am maybe not the best judge here, because I knew what I would be getting into when I started.
Who would I recommend it to? -- To BL fans who really want a drama to help pass the time while ogling (mostly clothed, alas!) cute / attractive guys.
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