JADE DYNASTY
(China/Hong Kong 2019)
Original Title: Zhu Xian I
Directed by Tony Ching Siu Tung Produced by Li Ning Action by Tony Ching Siu Tung, Xin Xin Xiong Starring: Sean Xiao Zhan, Li Qin, Anthony Bao, David Chaing, Norman Tsui Siu Keung, Leung Kar Yan, Chen Hsiao Hsuan, Xin Xin Xiong, Cecilia Yip, Yi Xin Tang Reviewing: YouTube Release Genres: Wuxia / Fantasy / Romance
Rating - 3.3 / 5
Synopsis: After the massacre of his village, Zhang Xiaofan is taken in by the Qing Yun Sect where he begins his journey of cultivation. When he finds out the truth behind the deaths of his parents, he succumbs to his rage and demonic tendencies and becomes the enemy of Qing Yun Sect. (101 Mins)
Views: Based on an eight-part series of books by Chinese author Xiao Ding, this feature-length adaptation of the first chapter sees the return of the awesome Ching Siu Tung as director – his first since helming the fun, but poorly received Sorcerer And The White Snake with Jet Li in 2011 (which I actually enjoyed). Jade Dynasty tells the story of Xiaofan, an orphan who was adopted into the Qing Yun martial arts sect 10 years ago after the massacre of his family and village. His hope was to learn martial arts, but Xiaofan finds himself as the chef for his adopted brothers and sisters, as well as the butt of their jokes and actions. Secretly in love with the Sect leader's daughter, Xiaofan finds himself chased by many young ladies after he acquires the Soul Chasing Stick – obtained after being bitten by a cheeky monkey that caused his blood to mix with a mysterious bead he was given many moons ago. As his new magic stick seemingly has a mind of its own, Xiaofan soon finds himself in a number of predicaments and often with hilarious consequences. While potential lovers try to get their hands on the stick, Xiaofan is pushed into a kung-fu tournament where he wins by default after a little help from his new wooden soul mate. His win attracts the attention of the Demon King who sends out his demon fighters to steal the Soul Chasing Stick from the young orphan, which leads to an almighty battle of the martial world and leaves Xiaofan fighting demons of his own!
The gorgeous Sean Xiao Zhan from Chinese boy-band, X Nine, plays Zhang Xiaofan in a role that requires more comedy and emotion, than fighting. I can only imagine had this been made 25 or 30 years ago, we may have seen Andy Lau or Dicky Cheung in the role – and I guess we have in many similarly themed films from that era. The pop-star is joined by a host of young Chinese actors and actresses including Li Qin, Tang Yi Xin, Mei Qi Meng, and others, and while none of them are as characteristic or as memorable as their peers from yesteryear, they certainly aren't dreadful and get the job done. That said, idol Sean Xiao bagged himself the title of Most Disappointing Actor at the 2019 Golden Broom Awards (which are pretty much the Chinese equivalent of the Razzies), but I don't think he was that terrible to be honest. Having really only hit our screens since 2016, Xiao has appeared in television shows like The Untamed, Superstar Academy, The Wolf, and movies such as Monster Hunt 2, and the wonderfully fun action-comedy, The Rookies – released in the West as Deadly Force: Mission Budapest, where he starred alongside the handsome Talu Wang and Milla Jovovich herself. It was a treat to see legends of the jaded screen star as the elders of the Sect, regardless if they get to fight or not. These included Shaw Brothers stars David Chaing, Norman Tsui Siu Keung, and the wonderful Leung Kar Yan, as well as Anthony Bao, Cecilia Yip, and Xin Xin Xiong - who would also assist Ching Siu Tung with the action choreography.
And when it comes to the fighting, there isn't a lot to write home about unfortunately. I don't mean there is a lack of kung-fu or martial action, it's just not the explosive, hyper-kinetic Ching choreography that blew us away with the likes of the Swordsman Trilogy, Moon Warriors, Duel To The Death, Holy Weapon, and more. In fact, truth be told, Jade Dynasty carries its action more akin to that of Hero or House Of Flying Daggers (although not quite as spectacular) mixed with the fantastical elements from League Of Gods. But what else can you expect when you have a cast that have no martial arts (or very little) experience? It's certainly not dreadful by any means, but equally, it's hardly as memorable as Ching Siu Tung's aforementioned hits. There are plenty of great visual moments in regards to the action mind you, with moments that do hark back to his glory days with scenes of hundreds of warriors flying through the air on their swords, or miles of flowing material spinning to defend or control their person. It is beautiful, yet it just feels as if we have seen it all before. The demon fighters towards the end are probably the most exciting part of the action choreography, such as the puppet master (who I'd love to see a full film about if I'm honest), the fighter with spinning shields on his feet, and the invisible man who just sucks people into his clothing. The problem is that they don't get to stick around for too long, but being the first of a series of films, one can only hope that we may get to see a bit more of characters like this in future sequels...
Jade Dynasty is not a terrible film by any means, and does make for an enjoyable watch with its stunning visuals and decent use of CGI which includes an impressive Chinese dragon. If it was made in the early 90's, running alongside the likes of Kung Fu Cult Master or The Dragon Chronicles: The Maidens Of Heavenly Mountains for example, it may well have come off a little better for older fans of Hong Kong cinema, but perhaps the abundance of fantastical Chinese epics that keep coming out today hasn't helped. We all know what Ching Siu Tung can do and what he has given us in the past, but much like that of any top director that has been out of the picture a little too long, it's going to take a while to get warmed up again. Hopefully, Jade Dynasty has inspired him enough to keep pushing forward, and perhaps with that, we will get to see things progress in its sequels and Ching himself get back on top as a choreographer and director!
Overall: At times Jade Dynasty can be visually stunning and entertaining, but in knowing what Ching has done in the past, I was left a little underwhelmed!
