San sheng san shi shi li tao hua

Although there are quite numbers of negative reviews on this movie (mostly about the novel plagiarism which I don't think it should stop people from watching this movie who already bought the copyright legally from the author), I choose to walk into the cinema as I only trust my own eyes and listen to my own hearts. Overall, this movie is worth watching with very beautiful scenes, costumes, BGM, CGI, good looking actors and actresses. The acting skills of Yang Yang and Crystal Liu are also impressive especially on those sad scenes. However, some of the scenes jump a bit sudden without good transition. Audiences who have never read the novels or series might not be able to enjoy the movie much. Hence, some points are cut because of the film editing.

Terrible ending!!!

I had a high exception earlier because of the unbelievable superior image quality in the beginning of the movie.

Yet storyline is terribly incomplete. The storytelling rhythm is crazy fast, plot driven in a hurry, like a millions dogs chased behind. Too much montage screen switch, and confusing characters recall methods. People who never read the original novel would never figured out the story, or either feel tire to a cheesy romantic story.

Storytelling is the basic foundation, amazing CGI can't save a bad storyline! It is call quality awful movie. The incomplete ending is the worst, totally bum me out. Beside, this movie is edit based on a copycat's novel. The movie failed is predictable because of the plagiarized work, it is empty and bombastic from the copycat because her character and setting were built on the others base. Then how can the director recreated a better piece from an empty work?

Updated: Chinese paid internet army please leave me review along, we all knew those rave reviews from this movie were artificial. Who else will interested to read the alibaba company copyrights news, and rated it high. Maybe idols fans will commend their idols acting, I don't have so much words on that. As long as they keep claim and be logic, it is welcome to describe movie and actor in IMDb. But just behave, stop ShuaFen. I thought I was very gentle to rate 6/10 base on the CGI already.

I watch this movie because my friend who was already read the web story and watched the series. I on the other hand have not heard much of the story except knowing this series or novel is quite popular. I kinda enjoyed the nice cgi and beautiful scenes. As always Chinese fantasy movies usually do produce nice artworks.The costumes were fantastic. Love all the intricacies and beautiful details of each costume. The actor and actress both beautiful and handsome and their on screen chemistry were wonderful. The only thing about this movie is the editing of the story for me is that it's jumping from one scene to another without much explanation. For my friend who already knew the story line , can grasp the whole who, why and what it's happening .But for me it's a bit disjointed, and after she explained to me 'the summary' of the story that i can understand fully what really happened . I would say if the director spend a bit more time of slowly unfolding the story from the beginning i would enjoyed it far more. This movie is like a fan service "summary" of a popular story where the fans already knows the story well to enjoy it more on a big screen with elaborate costumes, stunning cgi and scenery.

Aug 12: Saw the movie with my mom and uncle today. Had no problem following the story line, even my 80 year-old uncle could easily tell which parts were flashbacks. It's a well made film and we thoroughly enjoyed it, though adding a few scenes to tell of the love between Mo Yuan and Si Yin will make the story more complete. Very touched towards the end and have to admit I teared up. Will definitely go see it again!!

Aug 20: Watched it 3 times already, today with my husband who doesn't speak Chinese. Although it's not his type, he thought it's pretty good as it fulfilled it's purpose as a movie...well made and good entertainment. Couldn't understand all those extremely negative reviews, seemed to have an agenda to prevent this movie from attaining greater success.

Sep 2: My 4th view today. Saw the standard version with several friends. Without the "visual busyness" of 3D, my focus was fully on the story and characters, and the richness of both are amazing. I like this movie more and more.

Finally I got to watch this movie yesterday. I like how Director Xiaoding Zhao and Anthony LaMolinara built a very unique virtual world of ancient Chinese land for this movie. Qingqiu country, where the leading actress lives, is so lively and beautiful. And the war scene towards the end is breathtaking. It's very interesting to understand the two main roles' relationship all through the story, more complicated than I expected. I could always feel Ye Hua's pain and I cried when the mystery got unfolded. Beautiful 3D scenes and beautiful music. Highly recommended.