What a beautifully and impressively animated movie! Camera work, design, colors and animations.. You can easily compare it to the level of quality of a Disney movie.
Yet.. I'm torn between disappointment on the unnecessary dumbing-down and childish presentation of most characters and developments prior to the 1-hour mark of the movie VS the excitement and content after Ao Bing first appeared. It feels like the tone of the movie is completely different after that point (still hsa it's moments, though).
Much like "Jiang Ziya" or "Legend of Deification" (the prequel that came after it), it acquires a more straightforward-structure with cleaner/focused dialogue and a story with no nonsense just for the sake of it. I can see a great movie underneath the disappointing foundation (there's farts, eating boggers and the likes), with an otherwise fulfilling middle(?) & final act. It's a shame to see the first half to be kind of wasted opportunity to give the viewer a memorable and concise introduction to this world. For a believable friendship between rivals, a better exploration of the relationship with the townsfolk, and with ample opportunity for some "more" in that space that was squandered.
I guess it was made with children in mind.. but still. If they really want to make a cinematic universe, they should make something smart that appeals to everyone.. and "Jiang Ziya" feels like a step in the right direction.
Yet.. I'm torn between disappointment on the unnecessary dumbing-down and childish presentation of most characters and developments prior to the 1-hour mark of the movie VS the excitement and content after Ao Bing first appeared. It feels like the tone of the movie is completely different after that point (still hsa it's moments, though).
Much like "Jiang Ziya" or "Legend of Deification" (the prequel that came after it), it acquires a more straightforward-structure with cleaner/focused dialogue and a story with no nonsense just for the sake of it. I can see a great movie underneath the disappointing foundation (there's farts, eating boggers and the likes), with an otherwise fulfilling middle(?) & final act. It's a shame to see the first half to be kind of wasted opportunity to give the viewer a memorable and concise introduction to this world. For a believable friendship between rivals, a better exploration of the relationship with the townsfolk, and with ample opportunity for some "more" in that space that was squandered.
I guess it was made with children in mind.. but still. If they really want to make a cinematic universe, they should make something smart that appeals to everyone.. and "Jiang Ziya" feels like a step in the right direction.