A Lenda de Hei

If you have seen the TV version of this film, you will get confused by the birth of Hei. The film is here to introduce it.

In my opnion, the film is special. It pays more attention to audience exprience. In the film, the perspective follows Hei. We can feel the emotional change of Hei.

What's more, the film brings us to think about ethics. It is not only a storyline, but also a intro into the thinking of right and wrong. Each character is not completely right or wrong. Everything is judged by the audience.

The shortcoming of the film is that it is not very friendly to a western audience. As an asian audience, he or she can understand the film quite well. But as to western audience, he or she may have to know more background about asian culture.

More, I strongly recommend you to watch the TV version, which is now free of charge. If you do so, you would have a brand new view of all characters.

When Air China's entertainment system suggested this to me, I had no idea of what this was about - but I was immediately captivated, as it looks like a Ghibli movie, only not from Ghibli but from unknown Chinese animators. So I watched it in Chinese (even if I don't understand it) and I liked it so much that as soon as I got home I started to search for the web animation series from which the characters are taken.

The drawing style is deceptively simple, but the backgrounds and scenery in the first half are nothing short of wonderful. They recreate that magical atmosphere of a lost natural world that you may remember from Mononoke Hime or Totoro, with the movie being a bit of both - a peaceful and funny (lots of gags!) growth experience for a young, exhuberant demon-cat-kid, but also the tale of the clash between nature and mankind. (Since young and self-confident China is not old and weary Japan, though, the moral angle on this will end up slightly differently...) But what is really outstanding is the characterization of the protagonist, in terms of story and in terms of animation. It is very well done, and you will really root for Xiaohei as the character grows in several dimensions.

The final part is IMHO a bit less convincing and not so Ghibli-esque, as it focuses on solving the conflict that has been building up throughout the movie, and at times becomes more like a superhero fight sequence. However, in the overall this is a really good animation movie and if a Western edition comes out you should definitely not miss it; in the meantime, you can look for it online, and even the unsubtitled Chinese version will do (there is not a lot of dialogue and you can figure out the story quite easily without it).

This is a big effort in 2D animation for China, trying very hard to deliver a product that could be at the same time exciting and profound and that has the look of a blockbuster Japanese Anime, more specifically the Studio Ghibli ones. And the end result manages to work in some occasions and to look quite the part, but still suffers from some pacing problems and a lack of emotional focus at times. Also, the way the story develops ends up being quite conventional, but for the most part it's an enjoyable film.

Rewatching the film, I noticed a small detail that speaks volumes: Xiao Hei's scarf. At first, it's knotted haphazardly, as if tied in a hurry by a child still learning to care for himself. But as the story unfolds, frame by frame, it grows neater-until by the end, it lies smooth, tucked neatly under his collar.

That change isn't an accident. It's Wu Xian, in those quiet, unspoken moments, reaching over to adjust the fabric, his movements careful but unobtrusive. No speeches about "growing up," no grand declarations of progress. Just a scarf, slowly, gently, being made right.

This is the film's quiet brilliance. Xiao Hei's growth isn't shouted-it's stitched into these small acts: a properly tied scarf, a steadier gaze, a smile that comes a little easier. It's a reminder that the most meaningful changes aren't announced. They're lived, in the gaps between words, where trust and care take root. And that, far more than any slogan, is what lingers.

I was absolutely amazed by the quality of this movie. The story is touching and really funny, and the battles are spectacular. Must watch! Especially for fans of the Avatar: the last Airbender series, who are looking for a similar experience.