La Légende des héros du condor

Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants" is an exciting action-adventure film that follows the story of Guo Jing, portrayed by the talented Xiao Zhan. At a time when the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan, threaten to destroy the Jin Dynasty and then the Song Dynasty, Guo Jing joins martial arts masters from various schools in the Central Plains of China to defend Xiangyang. The film stands out for its impressive action scenes, costumes, and set design, as well as Xiao Zhan's compelling performance, who embodies a brave and loyal hero.

Don't miss it! The film will be released in U. S. theaters on February 21, 2025. 🎬

A new work directed by Tsui Hark, based on Jin Yong's famous novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. I have watched it 4 times in these 3 days, and I have new feelings every time. Although I have read the novel countless times and watched the two Hong Kong versions of the TV series, perhaps because I was still young when I watched them, I really didn't focus on the chivalrous aspect. This time, Tsui Hark put a lot of emphasis on expressing the chivalrous spirit of the original novel through each of the main characters, and with the addition of outstanding special effects, he was able to present the martial arts described in the book in a more three-dimensional manner on the big screen. I was really moved after watching it. There are fewer and fewer directors who are so serious nowadays.

It was a feast of visual delight. From the color palettes to the dramatic lighting, no details were spared. There are new experimentation that Tsui Hark has put in, so while it brings back the memories of the peak of the Hong Kong film era, it is still fresh and dynamic. The action sequences are particularly interesting, with a mix of martial arts, wire fu and now CGI, but yet not forgetting actual real world physics, bringing us an exhilarating choreography. Kudos to the actors, who definitely put in a lot of hard work to create such fluid action sequences. As a Louis Cha fan, I am very satisfied with this adaptation.

Meaningful, fast-paced movie, with breathtaking sceneries.

Story's ultimate focus on Guo Jing's inner struggle, and how he coped with the conflicts between Song (his ancestral homeland) and Mongolia (where he was raised by a loving royal family).

Ending has a beautiful meaning for present times --- when there's so much war and hate.

(Real heroes are not about muscles and power, but about the heart for the greater good of the people.)

*** Tips for NON-Mandarin speakers: To appreciate the story details, you need some prior-background knowledge of Guo Jing, or you may find yourself too focused on the captions and miss a lot in this fast-paced (with various flashbacks) movie.

A decent theater is a MUST for the stunning sceneries and effect.

*** ***

Tsui Hark does not disappoint me. Its staging is wonderful and the landscapes of northern China are beautiful.

The aerial and ground shots are incredible. You can see the emotion in every scene presented.

This proposal by Tsui Hark is novel and its characters are very well chosen.

This time the modern Guo Jing does not present himself as the fool described in the books, but gradually grows in knowledge and evolves in thought, because he is intelligent.

The performance of all the characters is artistic and very well presented. The martial arts of this movie are interesting; they do not always show the violence seen in some film genres, but they form a philosophy to show that not everything is war and resentment.

Very good and I recommend it.