三生三世十里桃花 - Once Upon A Time

三生三世十里桃花 (Once Upon Aa Time) is an 2017 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Liu Yifei and Yang Yang. The movie is based on a novel of the same Zhong Wen name. Another drama series called Eternal Love was based on the same story.



Liu Yifei plays Bai Qian, a fox ferry that lives in seclusion and dreams of her lover. Ye Hua, played by Yang Yang, who belives Bai Qian is his long lost lover Su Su. Ye pays Bai a visit and tries to figure her out. They eventually fall for each other and go to the heavenly city. There, past lives and responsibilities and politics come into play. Can these two lovers that could be from multiple generations still find love?



I saw this movie at a local AMC back in the summer of 2017. Besides both protagonist being extremely good looking people, I found it hard to watch the movie. During the movie, two couples walked out. I have thought to do that before I think I have, just couldn't for this film. Liu and Yang are too beautiful to not watch. Even if the story sucks.



Update from December 27, 2018: I watched Eternal Love via Netflix this month. It was 58 episodes and does a way better job of telling this story. To even attempt to tell it via a movie seems silly. Goto Netflix now and watch "Eternal Love", skip the movie.

Outcast - 絕命逃亡 - Upcoming

Outcast (絕命逃亡) is being released in Zhong Guo the following weekend. The movie stars Crystal Liu, Hayden Christensen, Nicolas Cage, Ji Ke Jun Yi, and Andy On.

Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen but make their way to Zhong Guo after suffering guilt as warriors in Briton's involvement of the Crusades. Crystal Liu plays a princess with the named heir to the throne being chased by Andy On as their throne stealing older brother.

From the trailer, looks like the Asian actors all speak English. Crystal Liu and Andy On both spent many many of their education years in the United States.

The Four II - 四大名捕2

The Four II (四大名捕2) is an 2013 film out of Hong Kong with Mainland Zhong Guo investment. The same cast from the first movie make their return, starring Anthony Wong, Collin Chou, Crystal Liu, Deng Chao, Jiang Yiyan, Liu Yi Fei, Liu Yifei, and Ronald Cheng. Ada Liu joins the cast to add some drama as a villain.



We're not left with the Four in good graces, but they discover a building with a lot of dead bodies. They lead them on a goose hunt that dives into the history of Zhuge Zhengwo and Emotionless. As they dig deeper, we see the extent of the corruption. But that's handle by a badly with Mystique like qualities to shape change into other people. When the leads and history are dug up, we see that Zhuge was holding back on Emotionless. As the four, they must figure out the mystery and clear their name.

This movie was much more on the action of back story. A very confusing back story too. As the explanation went, I was scratching my head going, "what?!" And these mysterious figures that control others are also lifted from the shadows. I think the addition of Ada Liu will give this a little more of a international audience as she's bring some major sex appeal you won't get from Crystal Liu.

If you enjoyed the first movie, this isn't more of the same. Its more confusion. But still watchable.

The Four - 四大名捕

The Four 四大名捕) is an 2012 film out of Hong Kong with mainland Zhong Guo investment. The movie stars Anthony Wong, Collin Chou, Crystal Liu, Deng Chao, Jiang Yiyan, Liu Yi Fei, Liu Yifei, and Ronald Cheng. The cast is pretty big. With a successful launch, 2 sequels were approved.



A team of misfits are put together to investigate more "abnormal" stuff than the regular detectives. The leader is a experienced detective with lies to the governor of the region. The four have their special abilities. Deng Chao as Cold Blood, who is good with the sword and has a monster within, literally. Liu Yifei as Emotionless who is crippled to her super powered wheelchair. Ronald Cheng as Life Snatcher, an expert with his feet. Collin Chou as Iron Hands, an strong brute with hands of steel. These four are up against a mysterious person putting out counterfeit coins. When they dig deep, they uncover a sinister plan that goes to the top of the government.



This movie is the Zhong Guo version of a comic book super team. They have special powers much like a mutant would. They are put together by an even more powerful man that's been around the block a few times. Which make for an interesting watch. It's an entertaining movie, but not a very good one. Many plot holes and way too many characters to keep track of. However, I enjoyed my watch and have recommended out to friends and co-workers as the "Chines X-Men" or "Chinese Avengers". Let it be known it is true. But just don't get your hopes up for an excellent movie.

The Assassins - 銅雀台

The Assassins (銅雀台) is an 2012 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Chow Yun-fat and Crystal Liu. The supporting cast include Alec Su and Annie Yi. The movie is based on Cao Cao of the Three Kingdoms era.

Chow plays Cao Cao, a successful warlord of the Han Dynasty. Liu plays a mistress to Cao Cao. But Liu is trained at an early age by men of mysterious origin to assassinate Cao Cao. During her time with Cao Cao, she questions his ambition and its affect on the people. Conflicted, she doesn't really try to kill him. However, others in the imperial court have other plans. Cao Cao seems to have to defend himself from constant assassinations. The struggle of power between Cao Cao and the imperial court, including the Emperor of the time goes back and forth.

This movie was a hard watch. The lingo is basically Zhong Guo Shakespeare. The language is a mix of modern, but mostly in old style. Very hard to understand and follow. Especially when the volume is down. The story of Cao Cao and a girl has been told numerous times. This time around, the breed from small to assassinate concept is unique to Cao Cao (not to movies). Liu is starting to look like an adult now. Playing a sultry mistress wasn't a stretch. Funny how 2 to 3 years makes.

I am a borderline recommend on this. I believe the acting to be awesome. From Chow to Alec to Annie Yi, the acting was a well balance attack that didn't stray into the cheezy. The story was not as cohesive as I would have like.

仙劍奇俠傳 - The Sword and the Fairy (Chinese Paladin)

The Sword and the Fairy or Chinese Paladin ( 仙劍奇俠傳) was released here in the states on February 24, 2009 by Tai Seng. You can get at Amazon or rent it via Netflix.

The wuxia fantasy swordplay series stars He Ge and Crystal Liu Yifei of Forbidden Kingdom fame.

I sorta gave it a shot to watch this back around 2005/2006 but never finished it. Mainly because the story was whacked. Based off a popular video game from 1995. Here's the story description from Netflix:

Fate has big plans for a simple young man (Ge Hu) to become a gifted swordsman. But in the course of living out his destiny, he must take on an onslaught of formidable foes, including vampires, demons and evil spirits. Yixuan An and Yifei Liu co-star in this martial arts fantasy from director Kwok-Lap Lee, an epic tale set in ancient China and told in the tradition of Hark Tsui's classic Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain.

That Netflix description is only a bit of the madness I witness before calling it quits halfway through the series. I'll give it a shot again later this year just to see what all the fuss is again as the sequel series Chinese Paladin 3 is released this summer.

The Forbidden Kingdom - 功夫之王

Originally posted on xanga.



The Forbidden Kingdom (功夫之王) stars Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Li Bing Bing, Collin Chou, and Liu "Cyrstal" Yi Fei.  The story takes some of the concepts and characters from "The Journey West". Specifically, the Monkey King.



The Forbidden Kingdom stars Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Li Bing Bing, Collin Chou, and Liu "Cyrstal" Yi Fei. The story takes some of the concepts and characters from "The Journey West". Specifically, the Monkey King.



There is actually a lot of action in this film and features a lengthy dual between Jet Li and Jackie Chan. The main protagonist is a white guy from South Boston getting sucked into Ancient China. After seeing the "making of" on the DVD, I can see how the movie was sold to a studio to fund. Its the white guys saving the Chinese. Since they can't save themselves. I digress.



The special effects are a little above average as a lot of it sorta looked fake. But overall, the fighting was quite good.

As for the storyline, you'll have to get over it. It's not that great. But the movie is beautifully shot. Uses lush landscapes and it shot entirely in China.

I hope a sequel comes of this. I'd like them to take more chances the next time around. But it'll still be geared towards an American audience.

I know that Crystal Liu had spent some of her pre teen years in New York. Seems that she never completely mastered it as she has a "FOB" accent. I don't know if it is on purpose due to the style of the film, all the Asian ppl that speak Mandarin, have a slight accent. Like Li Bing Bing and the supreme emperor seemed to have dubbed voices. Crystal can be a cross over star if she's willing to sacrifice projects in China in order to spend time in the US. Who knows. I hope she does stay mainly in China as production there is faster and you would see more of her vs. in the US, where productions take a long time and seeing her on screen is alot less.

As for Jet Li and Jackie Chan, they seemed to play off each other and I hope for more of this in the future.

I'll try to get a hold of the DVD when I see it in the 4.99 and under bins.

The movie pay homage to the Shaw Bro movies in a quite a few ways. The opening credits takes you through a bunch of the Shaw Bros artwork from the 60s/70s. Crystal Liu says "Come Drink With Me" in one of the fight scenes. Makes no sense. Its just an homage including the name Golden Sparrow.