Country: China
Movie Review: Tsui Hark’s new film, featuring detective Dee Renjie and his first mystery case, is another magnanimous production that revealed to be a major disappointment when compared to the engrossing “Detective Dee: Mystery of the Phantom Flame”, both in visuals and screenwriting. Obviously I was expecting something colorful, sensationalist, and cartoonish, but this time Hark’s overconfidence ruined everything by leaving substance behind, in what we can call a gaudy fantasy stuffed with digital manipulations, overdone fight choreography, and supernatural enigmas. Probably Korean “The Host” served as inspiration for its boring scenes, since the shrewd detective, performed by Mark Chao, involves himself in a battle against a gigantic sea dragon in order to solve a mysterious conspiracy against Imperial kingdom. Sadly, there’s nothing new or smart in this plot and the beautiful, enchanting atmosphere noticeable in the mentioned sequel from 2010, vanished completely here. I got bored even before its first half, so I don’t have to explain how interminable the film seemed to me. “Young Detective Dee” was too overcooked and action-packed in a fastidious way, becoming instantly forgettable. I guess it will only be suitable for those who are not demanding with what they chose to watch as entertainment, or are looking for some impact through its bumbling images.
