Movie Digest
What happens when humans desire to be immortal? For Tia Jian it was impossible. He was born as an ordinary mortal without any sword spirit within him. In this particular fantasy world, the people are born with a sword spirit within them, which makes it possible for a few to venture further towards the path to immortality through cultivation. And Tia Jian being just a mortal wishes to do the same. And maybe call it his luck, he just happens to accidentally come into possession of the powerful Heart Burning Sword that contains some mysterious fire power that enters inside him. So now it will be easier for him to become immortal right? Unfortunately, This draws too many eyes to him and he is on a mission to save the people from evil as they attempt to seize the sword. While at the same time unveiling different conspiracies on his adventure. Will he succeed and fulfill his wish? Watch the movie to find out what happens to our protagonist.
The Feel-Good Part
The movie’s initial plot may come off as a commonly used trope where the protagonist is shown to be weak compared to the rest with nothing until they come in contact with a magical
item and everything changes for the better. But yet the movie still has the potential to keep the viewers entertained and glued to their seats. The character’s visual appearance in the movie is quite appealing. Adding the animation aspect, makes the viewers shower the characters with their approval. The protagonist’s role of simplicity and genuineness garners one’s admiration. The background setting is quite appreciative with loads of actions in an elaborate set that makes up for the viewers’ satisfaction.
The Disappointing Factor
The downside of the movie would be the CGI and practical effects, which are unfortunately below satisfactory. Though the animation aspects of the movie can be entertaining, the overuse of special effects in some action scenes questions the laws of physics, excessive even for a fantasy film. The few scenes where the characters showcase their martial art skills is more than enough to be entertaining for the audience. However, the unpolished special effects decrease the scene’s authenticity.
In-Depth Analysis
Over the years Chinese movies in the fantasy and action genres have earned themselves an acknowledgment and a good reputation by entertaining the audience with their visuals and animations. The Blade of Flame is a film that has a surprising movie plot and an intriguing storyline that slightly differs from the usual Chinese trope of fantasy dramas that revolve around the cultivation world. The movie consists of the supernatural element, which further contributes to making the movie a whole package to keep the viewers entertained with not only its progressing movie plot and mysteries but also with the character designs. The set designs are moderate in a few scenes, while some do succeed in giving the movie a vibe that collaborates well with the ongoing plot and does not steal the attention of the viewers
when the characters are present on the screen. The audio and music background in the movie is sufficiently good.
Star Power
The film is directed by Hui Tong who has also produced other movies such as Curtain Up! and Shen Mu. One of the main lead actors Wang Li Na is an aspiring actress who worked in movies like Shadow Dynasty, Desperate Anger City, and dramas such as I’m So Pretty. She plays a discernible role in the movie. However, with the changing plot and advancement in the storyline, her character also experiences a form of development. The actress charms the viewers with her acting skills and delivery of expressions that does justice to her character in the movie. Lead actor Yue Dong Feng plays the role of the Guardian in the movie, previously he has worked in shows like Fake Girlfriend, Knight of Time, Court Lady, etc. He is known for his versatility and dedication to his roles. He plays an intense character whose purpose and actions greatly affect the movie’s plot. He justifies his character’s portrayal through his acting capabilities by executing a very convincing form of an act of his character’s nature and attitude in general throughout the movie. Xie Miao plays the role of the protagonist. He delivers a convincing portrayal of his character in various instances, from his interactions with the other characters, and his enthusiastic and funny attitude to his portrayal of sadness and dejection in movies. He manages to adapt to the continuous shifts that his character encounters during the progression of the movie plot. Xie Miao has the capability of holding onto your attention whenever he arrives on your screen. Like his other works in Defiant, A Legend of Shaolin Kung Fu 2, and As God, it is agreeable to acknowledge that he as an actor greatly understands and enacts his roles.
Overall Opinion
The movie overall is entertaining with action and plot twists, enticing the audience throughout the film. The visuals, particularly the setting, props, and elaborate costumes add to the creativity of the film which allows the audience to get immersed in the story. The only downside of the movie would be the unpolished use of CGI and poorly constructed stunts.
