33 reviews
Earlier this year, there was just another film with a very similar title, "The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity," directed by Guo Jingming. This was based on the 1986 Japanese novel series "Onmyoji" by Baku Yumemakura. This new one directed by Li Weiran, entitled simply "The YinYang Master" is a totally different film, and was based on a 3D RPG strategy game also called "Onmyoji" by NetEase Games. Both had protagonists named Qingming and Boya, but that was just about all they had in common.
There were some notable actors in the cast. Regarded in the same level of acting excellence as her contemporary Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun achieved a rare grand slam as Best Actress for her role in "The Equation of Love and Death" (2008). Chen Kun has also had an acclaimed film career behind him, with films like "The Knot" (2004). Among the younger cast members, the most popular is the pretty and charismatic Shen Yue, who played Dong Sanchai in the 2018 reboot of "Meteor Garden."
Like the previous Yin Yang Master film, this film was also a rich showcase of the progressive state of special visual effects in China. The main locations, namely the Yin Yang Bureau, the Red Tower and Qingming's garden, were all beautifully designed and executed. Most remarkable here were the Disney-approximate computer-animated three-dimensional creatures which were in close interactive scenes with the human characters, particularly the naughty ferrets and the delightfully cute Red Ghost.
The climactic battle on the bridge across what looked like the natural stone pillars of Zhangjiajie was also a breathtaking spectacle, even if the designs of the grotesque multi-tentacled giant hand monster and the bizarre make-up of Cimu (William Chan) were not too well-done. It was just a bit of a disappointment for me that the special effects of Qingming's encounter with the head demon Xiangliu felt rushed and was not at par with the rest of the film. However, overall, this was a colorful and engaging fantasy entertainment for all ages.
There were some notable actors in the cast. Regarded in the same level of acting excellence as her contemporary Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun achieved a rare grand slam as Best Actress for her role in "The Equation of Love and Death" (2008). Chen Kun has also had an acclaimed film career behind him, with films like "The Knot" (2004). Among the younger cast members, the most popular is the pretty and charismatic Shen Yue, who played Dong Sanchai in the 2018 reboot of "Meteor Garden."
Like the previous Yin Yang Master film, this film was also a rich showcase of the progressive state of special visual effects in China. The main locations, namely the Yin Yang Bureau, the Red Tower and Qingming's garden, were all beautifully designed and executed. Most remarkable here were the Disney-approximate computer-animated three-dimensional creatures which were in close interactive scenes with the human characters, particularly the naughty ferrets and the delightfully cute Red Ghost.
The climactic battle on the bridge across what looked like the natural stone pillars of Zhangjiajie was also a breathtaking spectacle, even if the designs of the grotesque multi-tentacled giant hand monster and the bizarre make-up of Cimu (William Chan) were not too well-done. It was just a bit of a disappointment for me that the special effects of Qingming's encounter with the head demon Xiangliu felt rushed and was not at par with the rest of the film. However, overall, this was a colorful and engaging fantasy entertainment for all ages.
This was kind of a Justice League the ancient Chinese style with lots of exceptional CGI... it is actually an adaption of the phenomenon-level mobile game "Onmyoji". Director Weiran Li did what was required from him on the story of Chia-Lu Chang and Even Jian - took safely the crew all the way to the end without any hiccups!
Lots of monsters and monster hunters are fighting in fights which are never boring! So if you are a fan of action, this could be your cup of tea!
Lots of monsters and monster hunters are fighting in fights which are never boring! So if you are a fan of action, this could be your cup of tea!
But for real. Boya was there but did actually nothing. After watching the movie with friends we tried to discuss what he did, but it's mission impossible. If they leave out his character, nothing even will change.
Anyway, QingMing was superb and the CGI awesome. Just give me more QingMing! (and give him some medicine for his back... must be hurt from all this carry)
Anyway, QingMing was superb and the CGI awesome. Just give me more QingMing! (and give him some medicine for his back... must be hurt from all this carry)
- nagykitti-18876
- Apr 23, 2021
- Permalink
This film should be a yin yang master universe. there are many things that can be explored and made a story. the duo Qing Ming and Boya look less familiar here.
- ffadityawahyudi
- Mar 20, 2021
- Permalink
Chinese movies are usually not very good. This one is actually better than expected. The main character by Chen Kun acts the best. Others are just so so.
This film is quite the acid trip. But I liked the CGI, costumes, & filming sets. Its fine for the eye candy, but the dialogue (at least the english translation) makes no sense.
- Horror_Flick_Fanatic
- Mar 23, 2021
- Permalink
So apparantly there was an earlier version of this in 2001 and it is also based on a game. Now did I know all this before I watched the movie? No. Would it play a role? I don't think so - I might have tried to check the movie from 2001 - and maybe even watch it before I went ahead and watched this one. But you can't have everything and I am not even sure I will ever watch it - at least not on purpose.
That being said, the eastern fantasy/fairy tale is quite well told. CGI is maybe not the best ever, but it does its job. I was a bit surprised that in between cute and cuddly things, there was time to put in some quite mean and deadly things too (no pun intended). A well told story that will work with some people better than with others - it is all about your sensibility.
That being said, the eastern fantasy/fairy tale is quite well told. CGI is maybe not the best ever, but it does its job. I was a bit surprised that in between cute and cuddly things, there was time to put in some quite mean and deadly things too (no pun intended). A well told story that will work with some people better than with others - it is all about your sensibility.
I watched this movie with low expectazion and it turned out awesome. The trailer is not from actual movie, the pictures are. I can gladly reccomend this to anyone who loves fantasy.
- chrisrohdah
- Apr 3, 2021
- Permalink
Well, let's start from the beginning. I want to say that opening surprised me, it looked very fresh and cosy. Talking about plot, it was really good, I've enjoyed it, except, I'm not fan of ending. Another aspect was CGI, it looked very poor and visuals didn't surprise me at all,it brought me back to 2000s'. I loved colors tho. I can say that they had perfect movie and if there would be better ending with great CGI, I could give it 8/10 easily. Now we have what we have. So far it's in my top10 movies of this year. I would recommend to watch this film because it's one of the best action movie that's been released this year.
- Edvis-1997
- Mar 24, 2021
- Permalink
It's like watching Harry Potter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Guardians of the Galaxy, Alice in Wonderland and any typical Kung-Fu flying-fighting movies mashed into one mess, whilst on an acid trip. I tried my best, but couldn't even get to the half-way mark. The story was just too sloppy and all over the place. I'm still giving it a generous 4/10 for the excellent visuals and effects.
- Top_Dawg_Critic
- Mar 24, 2021
- Permalink
A nicely made story and good to watch movie. Its one of the top movies I had seen in Covid 19 time when most good movies were postponed.
- mailtaskservice
- Mar 23, 2021
- Permalink
For pure popcorn fun, what's not to love here. Chinese take on fantasy with pretty good VFX. Magic, monsters and swordfights galore. Higher tier than a lot of others in the genre.
- littlerusso11
- Apr 1, 2021
- Permalink
Looks like a pathetic Disneyfied version of YYM: Dream of Eternity. Don't waste your time, just watch DoE, that one has way better acting, choreography, sets etc. And has a sequel in the works.
- fjmsoftware
- Mar 27, 2021
- Permalink
The story took a bit to come into an understandable beginning and end, but really that's a fairly standard style in this world. A bit of humor made the characters likeable, even if we didn't know a whole heck of a lot about them. And the graphic style was fun.
I don't ask that all the movies I see are world-changing amaze-o-ramas. And this wasn't. But hey, it was entertaining and I recommend it for a great two-hour distraction.
I don't ask that all the movies I see are world-changing amaze-o-ramas. And this wasn't. But hey, it was entertaining and I recommend it for a great two-hour distraction.
- bellinghamfitz
- Apr 7, 2021
- Permalink
Japanese Onmyoji movies, even though dated were able to hold the attention and eerie atmosphere quite better than this Chinese adaptation. The Visual effects have improved than the recent chines barrage of CGI based movies I would say.
- tapendu1985
- Mar 3, 2022
- Permalink
- Katerinapetrova1473
- Mar 28, 2021
- Permalink
- Leofwine_draca
- Apr 12, 2021
- Permalink
Very fun movie highly recommended.
First some remarks. People who are used to cookie cutter Hollywood, pasteurised, homogenised, politically conditioned movies and franchises won't appreciate this movie, because the story is too complicated for them and they actually have to have a good attention span. Not that it is a complicated story, far from it, but you do need to pay attention. 2nd if you are prejudiced then don't bother. Third don't compare to Hollywood cardboard movies.
The show is so vivid in colour and the CG is well done. Story is simple but solid and easy to follow. Characters are so likable, and fun. It's a movie you can watch with whole family. There are no bad language and perversion inserted to condition you. Compare to these, Asian movies Hollywood and some western movies are cess pool of perversion and social engineering. Here you watch this to pass time and have fun, pure and simple.
First some remarks. People who are used to cookie cutter Hollywood, pasteurised, homogenised, politically conditioned movies and franchises won't appreciate this movie, because the story is too complicated for them and they actually have to have a good attention span. Not that it is a complicated story, far from it, but you do need to pay attention. 2nd if you are prejudiced then don't bother. Third don't compare to Hollywood cardboard movies.
The show is so vivid in colour and the CG is well done. Story is simple but solid and easy to follow. Characters are so likable, and fun. It's a movie you can watch with whole family. There are no bad language and perversion inserted to condition you. Compare to these, Asian movies Hollywood and some western movies are cess pool of perversion and social engineering. Here you watch this to pass time and have fun, pure and simple.
- xiaogina23
- Apr 16, 2021
- Permalink
If you think about it, Chinese folklore has millennia of content, refined for centuries, to inspire movie makers. All they need is some computer graphics, decent acting and some experience and they are set to build fantastical worlds that the Western World hasn't even dreamed of. This film is part of a sort of thematic series, with another Yinyang Master movie from 2020 having absolutely no connection to this one, but set in the same world of Chinese mythology. And it was good!
Now, the scenes were not really polished, the actors and their dialogues not to the standards that we've come to expect from Hollywood productions, but that's as much a good thing as a bad thing. The CGI was a bit clumsy only with the "Red Devil" character and maybe the final fight, the rest being pretty spot on. But what I liked more was the story, which had complex characters, hero journeys, a big baddie and tons of fun fights that kind of made sense.
Bottom line: this is one of the most entertaining and accessible Chinese films I've seen in a long time and, what's best, it felt natural, not an attempt to clone a particular Western genre. It felt authentic as well as interesting. Keep up the good work, guys!
Now, the scenes were not really polished, the actors and their dialogues not to the standards that we've come to expect from Hollywood productions, but that's as much a good thing as a bad thing. The CGI was a bit clumsy only with the "Red Devil" character and maybe the final fight, the rest being pretty spot on. But what I liked more was the story, which had complex characters, hero journeys, a big baddie and tons of fun fights that kind of made sense.
Bottom line: this is one of the most entertaining and accessible Chinese films I've seen in a long time and, what's best, it felt natural, not an attempt to clone a particular Western genre. It felt authentic as well as interesting. Keep up the good work, guys!
Special effects, CGI and creatures are are interesting, everything else is a bore. While meant to be a comedy action fantasy....the comedy is NEVER funny, which means the action can never be taken seriously because there is zero tension. After about the 30 minute mark, you are not sure what is happening, why it is happening and worse....do not care.
Usually the sequel is not as good as the original but in this case that is not true!
Awesome special effects set this movie apart. They really did a top notch job with the special effects through the whole movie. Cool little creatures fight. If you like movies like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon fight scenes then you will love this one. It really left me wanting to see a third one in the series!
Make sure you watch the first movie but if you don't have time skip it and watch this one! If you like this type of genre you will not be disappointed.
I don't know why people voted this so low. Don't listen to them. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show!
Awesome special effects set this movie apart. They really did a top notch job with the special effects through the whole movie. Cool little creatures fight. If you like movies like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon fight scenes then you will love this one. It really left me wanting to see a third one in the series!
Make sure you watch the first movie but if you don't have time skip it and watch this one! If you like this type of genre you will not be disappointed.
I don't know why people voted this so low. Don't listen to them. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show!
- chrisbrooks-19259
- Mar 19, 2021
- Permalink
I think the best filmmakers aren't in Hollywood, China has taken this industry and raised the bar(far beyond anything Hollyweird could muster). This movie has imagination and the fx to execute a well told fantasy. Most everything out there is the same old cookie cutter schlock. The cinematography is great, acting is spot on, CGI is over the top. This movie rocks! China and New Zealand are taking the world by storm.
- thedmoviebuff
- Apr 12, 2021
- Permalink
When I was a kid I used to love watching "samurai fantasy" style anime, so watching all those Kami spirits rendered in modern CG was a good trip down the memory lane (although this film is Chinese production, the story itself is derived from Japanese folklore / Shintoism).
I enjoyed it myself, although perhaps if you're not familiar with the concept of Kami, then you might find this film confusing.
I enjoyed it myself, although perhaps if you're not familiar with the concept of Kami, then you might find this film confusing.
- TheTubeNeverWorks
- Mar 27, 2021
- Permalink
A band of outcast monsters, humans, and demons work together to defeat the evil demon king who has been loosed from his prison.
This is an excellent visually stunning, and wildly imaginative fantasy movie. The effects, scenes, sets, creatures and costumes are exceedingly well crafted and beautiful and are by themselves well worth a watch. The weird and creepy 3-faced masked ferret creature is one of my favorite characters I've seen in a while. The plot itself is pretty simple, just a classic good vs evil story with a dash of romance. It is subtitled, so it is hard to comment too much on the acting, but it seemed well done and believable. My only complaint, and it seems to tend to be a feature of Chinese films, but there were parts that had a bit too much exposition in my opinion. Overall, though, excellent.
This is an excellent visually stunning, and wildly imaginative fantasy movie. The effects, scenes, sets, creatures and costumes are exceedingly well crafted and beautiful and are by themselves well worth a watch. The weird and creepy 3-faced masked ferret creature is one of my favorite characters I've seen in a while. The plot itself is pretty simple, just a classic good vs evil story with a dash of romance. It is subtitled, so it is hard to comment too much on the acting, but it seemed well done and believable. My only complaint, and it seems to tend to be a feature of Chinese films, but there were parts that had a bit too much exposition in my opinion. Overall, though, excellent.
- XpocalypseSurvival
- Apr 19, 2021
- Permalink