3 reviews
One of the most unique and interesting action shows I've ever seen
Where to start? PILI is a magnificent divergence from the norm of the action genre. Forsaking all cookie cutter formulas and utilizing a fascinating animation style--the total manipulation of action figures in real time--PILI: War of Dragons crafts an entirely new approach to story telling and special effects.
The plot is essentially about a turf war between two heavenly/celestial Dragon Kings and each of their 8 Dragon Generals. The story itself feels as if it was woven from the atypical threads of a metaphysics course in school and ancient South East Asian mythological lore. I've seen hardly any kind of foreign Asian programming on TV/Netflix (PILI is available on Netflix, fyi) apart from Anime and other Japanese programming, so the story was a very refreshing alternative to the more stale Western genres I usually watch. Plus I'm a big fan of foreign languages so overall, a very enjoyable new cinematic experience.
What really blew my mind about PILI was the special effects (ps. I'd approach PILI with caution if things like strobing/blinking lights affect you adversely). Every scene is highly frenetic and has a whole multitude of different colors dancing on screen to increase the 'feeling' of action/movement. What's especially cool is the way CGI is integrated with the movement of the action figures. The editing on PILI is quite excellent considering the medium being used to portray the story. Some of these doll fights are really quite incredibly, and the more intense scenes where the Dragon Generals teleport at rapid speed to land punches looks like something straight out of your favorite Dragon Ball Z fight scene.
If you're looking for something extremely different and are willing to open your mind, give PILI a good ol' college try if you have Netflix. If you like action, anime, or Asian storytelling you're going to find PILI nothing less than intriguing.
8/10, tempted to give 10/10 just for the ingenuity of the special effects and doll manipulation.
The plot is essentially about a turf war between two heavenly/celestial Dragon Kings and each of their 8 Dragon Generals. The story itself feels as if it was woven from the atypical threads of a metaphysics course in school and ancient South East Asian mythological lore. I've seen hardly any kind of foreign Asian programming on TV/Netflix (PILI is available on Netflix, fyi) apart from Anime and other Japanese programming, so the story was a very refreshing alternative to the more stale Western genres I usually watch. Plus I'm a big fan of foreign languages so overall, a very enjoyable new cinematic experience.
What really blew my mind about PILI was the special effects (ps. I'd approach PILI with caution if things like strobing/blinking lights affect you adversely). Every scene is highly frenetic and has a whole multitude of different colors dancing on screen to increase the 'feeling' of action/movement. What's especially cool is the way CGI is integrated with the movement of the action figures. The editing on PILI is quite excellent considering the medium being used to portray the story. Some of these doll fights are really quite incredibly, and the more intense scenes where the Dragon Generals teleport at rapid speed to land punches looks like something straight out of your favorite Dragon Ball Z fight scene.
If you're looking for something extremely different and are willing to open your mind, give PILI a good ol' college try if you have Netflix. If you like action, anime, or Asian storytelling you're going to find PILI nothing less than intriguing.
8/10, tempted to give 10/10 just for the ingenuity of the special effects and doll manipulation.
- asphyxion_
- Sep 10, 2019
- Permalink
Odd & Unique
The idea of puppets as anime left me wondering if it would play out as comically as Team America but I was pleasantly surprised!
I hadn't heard of Pili until it was announced partnering with the VeVe app so I checked it out and I was surprised.
It's far better production than I expected and the experience is pretty unique. A step above a good portion of the Western programming on Netflix.
I'd recommend if you liked anime / martial arts films and are sick of your Netflix queue.
I hadn't heard of Pili until it was announced partnering with the VeVe app so I checked it out and I was surprised.
It's far better production than I expected and the experience is pretty unique. A step above a good portion of the Western programming on Netflix.
I'd recommend if you liked anime / martial arts films and are sick of your Netflix queue.
It may be good-- difficult to tell
This series starts out with a very interesting premise: an "anime" tale performed completely with very detailed, complex puppets and puppetry. And if one understands the native language, it may be quite good.
Unfortunately, much is lost in translation. This show moves so very quickly, the scenes almost spastic as they change quickly from one to another... that reading the subtitles while watching the show becomes nearly impossible.
I stuck with this for about ten minutes before I gave up. I tried really hard to follow it, and even used the pause function to try to read each subtitle and then move on with the video. But the scenes and action changed so rapidly on a constant basis that it became impossible to follow both. One has to either watch the video and try to discern the story... or read the story and miss out on most of the video. I doubt many people will be able to do both.
So for those who speak the original language, this might be quite a ride. Those who don't and have to rely on trying to read subtitles and watch the frenetic action scenes at the same time... may not find it an enjoyable experience.
Hyperactive adrenaline addicts... this might be their cuppa tea. ;D.
Unfortunately, much is lost in translation. This show moves so very quickly, the scenes almost spastic as they change quickly from one to another... that reading the subtitles while watching the show becomes nearly impossible.
I stuck with this for about ten minutes before I gave up. I tried really hard to follow it, and even used the pause function to try to read each subtitle and then move on with the video. But the scenes and action changed so rapidly on a constant basis that it became impossible to follow both. One has to either watch the video and try to discern the story... or read the story and miss out on most of the video. I doubt many people will be able to do both.
So for those who speak the original language, this might be quite a ride. Those who don't and have to rely on trying to read subtitles and watch the frenetic action scenes at the same time... may not find it an enjoyable experience.
Hyperactive adrenaline addicts... this might be their cuppa tea. ;D.