Love O2O

I watched both versions of LoveO2O and prefer the movie version over the series. LoveO2O the movie is a better mix of reality and gamer fantasy. Angela baby and Boran Jing are better actors, have better chemistry and make this movie about gaming more believable than the series version. Yang Yang and Shuang Zheng have no chemistry and in my opinion, can't act. I enjoyed the movie from beginning to end, and here's why: Xia Nai as portrayed by Jing was brainy, but warm; a loner but not weird. Whereas Xia Nai as portrayed by Yang, Yang was stiff, condescending and demanding. He was in a word, distant. Weiwei as portrayed by Angela baby was warm, funny, brainy, outgoing, loving and supportive in this film. She loved her man. Whereas in the series Weiwei was cute but servile, and her personality left much to be desired. She worshipped her man. I was thoroughly unimpressed by Shuang Zheng's performance as WeiWei.

LoveO2O the movie is about love and gaming and in my opinion successfully achieves its goal. I really enjoyed this version of the screenplay and will recommend this version to my friends.

So after watching the series I went straight to the movie. Some people said to prefer it but I really don't. I have no problem with the leads but the story is completely disjointed by the speed they're trying to tell it at and all the details they omitted. For me, this one isn't even worth it for the cheap thrill of experiencing the story when I don't have time to rewatch the entire series, because it just does not deliver the feels or tells the story well enough. Regretfully, not recommended. I'd say watch the series or read the novel, which is absolutely excellent.

I saw the series first and i really like it. The shorter movie has some plot holes and glosses over the story. I like both sets of actors but I prefer the series. The movie has a more realistic set and the series has a more romatic and stylized set. Watch the movie first. Both are on Netflix (07/2019) with subtitles.

This movie is enjoyable from the first scene to the last, surprising considering that most "gamer" movies tend to fizzle out about half way through. The main character Bei Weiwei (Angelababy / Angela Yeung Wing) could not have been played better. Angelababy is cast in a very feminine and cute role, but brings out the strength, character and competence of both the real life and game life of Bei. Boran Jing does a good job of playing the reserved and stoic role of Xiao Nai, the #1 player in the game. Both players and their avatars are realistically portrayed in a splendid mix of fantasy and reality.

Although cliché, I enjoyed the special way this movie often combined the real world with the game world (although one scene featuring portals on a bridge jumped the shark a bit). Despite the gamer/fantasy setting of the virtual world, the fantasy characters and "real life" character both are played very well. The supporting characters are somewhat cliché as well, though acted well enough. The fact that the movie requires the supporting characters mostly as comic relief and moral support is the one weakness of the story-line, although that is forgivable considering the genre. An Asian movie without such characters would be somewhat of an unexpected let-down.

The story-line is not strong, but strong enough to both keep the viewer entertained and present a morality play as well. It's nice to see a movie that doesn't take tired, over-used side-trips during the main plot. The developing romance between the online avatars and the unwitting Weiwei is enjoyable to watch from the spectator's seat. Much in this is predictable but enjoyable nonetheless.

It's not a perfect film, nor a tear-jerker or film of the year. It just a very enjoyable romantic gamer film with excellent special effects and a script that for once succeeds in an over-used and often-abused genre. If you can understand the concept of mixing gaming and romance I fully expect you will enjoy this film very much.

Gaming is quite a "hobby". Depending on how much you are invested in it, you get some sort of satisfaction. Shaming others for doing what they love should not be an issue and it isn't here. You actually get a movie about people in love ... and a passion for gaming.

What I just realized though: I only watched this movie and had no idea there is a TV show too. So I have no idea how this is connected, if there was anything added or prior to the events of what happens here either. Therefor I may have a redacted experience of it all - ah the lingo. Enjoyable and decent enough for the right minded people