Reviews

I should start by telling you that I'm an American whose never been to Europe or Asia. So I'd like to voice some simple concerns right off the bat. There appears to me way too many Chinese people with near perfect British accents. There's also plenty of postings in English that makes me wonder.

I'm great at suspending my disbelief for shows and therefore certain bewildering plot points don't affect my ability to enjoy a show. I don't wish to introduce any new doubts to viewers so I'll keep those to myself.

I'm bothering with this review because I see so many people claiming this is a boring show and the pacing, the story, the actors are leaving the viewers with much to be desired.

I randomly came across this show, read a couple episode synopses and gave it a go.

I've never seen Hong Kong in 4k. For me the plot being in China and having UK actors really intrigued me. This is a slow burn series. It's a drama, mixed with long-term suspense. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I'd bet oodles of dollars that if HBO made this series, people would praise this. Instead, Amazon is known for their hit or miss shows and I think it sets a perspective subconsciously that automatically makes it easier to dismiss their shows.

However, I believe, as prime shows continued to grow, we'll look back on this and dig it.

So in conclusion, it's a drama! With some suspense and a little action. The point is to become enveloped in the story and not worry about sex and violence.

I honestly don't understand the bad reviews behind this film. I'm writing this, not as a review of the events or themes that take place; but rather, a questioning of expectations from the average film viewer.

It should be fairly obvious that to enjoy any motion picture, one must enable their sense of disbelief. This means when you watch a fantasy film or show you don't question the reality of wands, spells, dragons, etc. Instead, you allow yourself to be immersed within the story. After all, the entire point of art is to transport yourself within the world of the artist.

I take issue with criticism from professional critics to the average person on the basis of "realism," "continuity," and/or any other tropes related to the experience of (in this case film), art.

This movie uses certain themes that have a major impact in the possible near future as its basis for storytelling, and therefore, I can see why some might attempt to hold the themes as a basis to grade its merits.

I must contest this though as I would say you don't read an Asimov, Clarke, Dick, novel and complain that your predictions of the future aren't the same as the author's do you? While watching this I'm reminded of my experience of watching "Minority Report" and it's safe to say that that version of the future hasn't come close to existing yet, but nonetheless it's a masterful bit of storytelling. The point though is this, sure there are holes in almost any plot, especially in films that don't coincide with our present day notions of reality; but what has that to do with our ability to enjoy a film?

Be honest with yourself for a moment, when you're watching anything but a documentary (and even then..) you're primary concern is the entertainment value. To which, this film delivers in spades.

There's great drama, great action, great acting, and one person playing 7 roles. What more could you ask for? Anyone who denigrates this film, I have to know, what are your expectations, and what are your favorite films?

8/18/17 23:38