The film is not perfect , especially in regards of its romance part. The structure is unevenly weighted. The romance between the monk and the queen is as boring as a high school puppy love; the strongest villain,, River God, is more attractive and dramatic to the audience, but her story-line is put in the second place and dealt by unclear flashbacks. Thus, this structure is unbalanced because the major story-line lies in an unconvincing love, while the powerful villain, who will take care of the final battle with Monkey King, indeed has no direct connection to the first line. Moreover, for audience, we could not understand why the queen falls in love in a second with Tangshen, a theoretically alien-like monster for people in the kingdom of women, and why she wants to sacrifice everything for him (and why she is important looks like a Deus ex machina setting).
However, I do like this movie because it does intend to tell an idea, which goes beyond ordinary box office films. I am very touched by tangshen's words and ideas when he is drifted in the bitter sea. The major theme of this film is very Buddhist, who refers life as a large and endless bitter sea, and this is why a monk goes on his journey to find truth. It's kinda philosophical and unfriendly to most audience who came to theatre just for fun. I admire the courage of this director.
Its not a perfect movie, but this movie does tell something really deep. I understand why tangshen has to leave, and why to love one is no difference from to love all mankind.
However, I do like this movie because it does intend to tell an idea, which goes beyond ordinary box office films. I am very touched by tangshen's words and ideas when he is drifted in the bitter sea. The major theme of this film is very Buddhist, who refers life as a large and endless bitter sea, and this is why a monk goes on his journey to find truth. It's kinda philosophical and unfriendly to most audience who came to theatre just for fun. I admire the courage of this director.
Its not a perfect movie, but this movie does tell something really deep. I understand why tangshen has to leave, and why to love one is no difference from to love all mankind.