whoissilmoy

It's one thing to say, WoL was boring for me because blah blah blah, and another thing to tell people, don't watch WoL if you've already watched SOKP, or to criticize people for praising a movie they like. Why do I need to compare WoL to another movie? I either like it or don't like it. It was obviously not as intriguing to her after watching SOKP twisted plots, so it was a letdown. WoL has a straighthood plot that is mostly predictable. But WoL offers the viewers a different experience that is also satisfying.

In today's reviews, a person rated WoL 7.0 because she had to skip scenes, unlike SOKP.
Somehow watching 100% of SOKP versus watching 67% of WoL left her dissatisfied with WoL. She feels people making comments here are biased and are all about praising it instead of comparing it to other movies; however, she was more objective because she did compare it to SOKP and concluded that WoL was a total let down. She feels if you have already watched SOKP, you will not enjoy WoL, and that is a lot of potential viewers she wants to turn away. It's like saying I got drunk on SOKP, and then I watched WoL and it gave me a hangover. She never said it a person will ever in their lifetime be able to enjoy WoL, all because of SOKP.

Skipping scenes of one movie but not the other could potentially affect one's perception of the movie. Also, the two movies are so different. SOKP is a dark movie. WoL is a light-hearted romance. SOKP is mostly about politics and the romance is at the very end of the movie.

Based on Douban (SOKP 6.9, WoL 6.5) and MDL (SOKP 8.8 WoL 8.5), the two movies are obviously both entertaining to their respective audiences.

This movie depicts a “war of succession” caused by an incompetent ruling family, as portrayed by Li Ni’s father and brothers. The situation invites a military rebellion by those who are superior and want power, such as Sun Jing. Once he rebels, another mighty military army, the Cui family, also competes for power to prevent a tyrant from succeeding or the continuation of incompetent rulers to save the people. However, little did anyone know that hidden in the empire’s West Pacifying army was the formidable and invincible Li Ni. A war of succession can leave a monarch in a vulnerable and weakened state, leading to instability in the empire. Rival claims to ultimate power can spiral out of control into violence.

It is because he does have a very nice voice, which I hope he will be able to hone the delivery and get a chance to use it in modern dramas. He already has a handsome and very distinctive voice. He has been doing mostly costume dramas that require perfect Mandarin which is one reason he gets dubbed. He grew up in Shenzhen, Southern China, and spoke Cantonese growing up, watched a lot of Hong Kong films, including action movies involving cops, undercover, and villains, which like a lot of guys, he is really into that. I think it's been his goal for a long time to eventually try out action roles in the future. Hopefully, when he feels ready and an opportunity presents itself, he will breakthrough. I think he'll be awesome. He also says he wants to play a villain, but he wants passionate roles. My impressions of him are based on interviews he's given.

Finding Netherland says he prefers the female lead in Kunning Palace, well that explains it.

I think you also missed the scene where she told Taozi that if it were the other way around, she would not be as calm as Li Ni. After the ambush and held by Li Ni, Commandant He is in a state of emotional turmoil. Being held captive is not conducive to her emotional state. She lied to LI Ni that she did indeed collude with Mister to betray him, but he knows she is lying. To me, this a form of self-defense mechanism that people use to hurt someone they are mad at to ease their own pain. The grief for Mister is very deep. Mister may have betrayed Li Ni but he was someone she grew up with and saved her when she was a kid, and also just saved her at the ambush. People cannot think rational when they are in emotional turmoil. Li Ni is an amazing guy who helps her come out of her emotional distress. The scenes of all he did for her were very touching. She told Taozi that if it were anyone else, she would not be so mad, but LI Ni is not just anyone to her. When LI NI heard that, he felt at peace.

Ying being mad at Li Ni actually shows that he means the world to her. People get mad at the ones they love the most because they care so much about that person.

Often in life, when there is a death, and people are grieving, it takes person time to overcome grief. They experience all kinds of emotions of grief, depression, guilt, etc. Sometimes, in families, a lot of hurtful, mean things are said if relationships are not well, Grief can cause you to experience all kinds of emotions depending on the situation or circumstances.

Actually Ying was okay before the ambush. She told Taozi, if it had been the other way around, she would react even worse than Li Ni so she knew how devastating it was for Li Ni. She felt sad that Li NI did not believe her. It really hurt her and like Li NI said, next time they see each other, they will be enemies and he could kil her. She was returning to her home base with Mister. but after the ambush, she lost her only brother whom she grew up with, who saved her twice now, and protected her her whole life. Like she told LI Ni later on, Mister suffered so much to pretend to be her.

WoL shows the human side of the characters.

well said

or pull a teapot from their sleeves! You just go along with it and enjoy the movie.

the verified is now at 8.24 so it's slowly rising. I wonder why the verified is always much lower than the currently watching and completed.

oh ok thank you

yep. I searched for stupid emperors and there were plenty of them. I don't know why some viewers get all worked up over stupid and maniac characters. They do exist in history. the characters in WoL are plausible to me.

Cui Lin can be ruthless is not a bad trait if you want to rule an empire and become a target. Being ruthless does not mean you have to be evil either. Other important qualities include intelligence, strategic thinking, and empathy. Ultimately, the success of an empire depends on the leader’s ability to balance these qualities and make decisions that benefit the empire as a whole.

you're thinking exactly like Cui Lin

the rightful heir is only 8 years old and the movie portray him as an intelligent, respectful, kind, and brave young boy. His mother is the Crown Princess or Consort Xiao who is brave and intelligent. So, even thought the Li royal bloodline has a lot of incompetent offsprings, it seems this young boy and Li Ni are both intelligent.

Li Ni is an upright person. Also, he promised the crown princess who poisoned her ex-lover turned rebel, Sun Jing to help Li Ni take back western capital. You are right too, "why fight all this?" That was exactly Cui Lin (Ying) 's perspective too. Before Cui Lin met Li Ni, she even thought of ruling if no one else can give the people a better life. If you fight and power ends up in wrong hands, then you have to fight again. But Li Ni has his perspective and a plan too. He believes the late crown prince's grandson who is the rightful heir is intelligent and can be taught how to be a good emperor someday. Also, he has no desire for his children to partake in palace schemes. The palace is a gilded cage.

because the father is biased toward Li Ni. When someone has a bad impression of you, it's difficult to change their minds, no matter how much you try to please them, and the father has always been duped by his sons' bad intentions. Unfortunately, he's just not a very smart man. He can't see that people are duping him.

There were a lot of good acting in this movie even among the supporting cast. Sun Jing, the rebel, and Crown Princess (consort Xiao) acting was excellent. The two had little screen time, yet still I can feel how complicated and complex their relationship and emotions are toward each other. Their acting was natural, subtle, yet had depth. When I watch them, I felt I could read their mind, feel their emotions. As stupid as the emperor was and as bad as the brothers were, I really enjoyed their acting. I found chemistry between the three of them. They were funny to watch.

if you are talking about LCF, you are not alone, I see a lot of similar comments. The actor might be overdramatic or maybe he wants to portray a mentally ill person which is how I see the character. Still, I think you are right, his acting may be the weakest among the cast. It's not natural enough. It's a bit forced.

I got used to Chinese dramas depict how deranged and demented a human being can get when they become crazed and obsessed, and then become evil, and only think of killing.

Li Ni said to Pei Yuan that his older brother is not very capable but the second brother is very crafty, so the older brother will listen to the younger brother (I need to find the scene where he says that). The brothers are not stupid like the father, as they can manipulate and scheme. Growing up, they were spoiled, pampered, proud and allowed to be bad and the bad behaviors are carried into adulthood.