The Legend and the Hero (封神榜)

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I never thought I watch it. So serious here. I actually followed the production of it somewhat when it first filmed. Because of how butchered it would turn out to be, I didn’t want to touch it. Yet I couldn’t believe years later, I was sitting around watching this with my mom. How was it? Well, it was a toss between half and half for the rest of us novel followers. But I think the positive side–the whole fighting and magic effects–won over all those sides, nonsense dramas. For those who do not know the actual legends, it’s going to be a REAL lost. But that’s how it is so there’s nothing new. As for me, I was sitting there rolling my eyes a lot at first, but soon, I totally didn’t want to care about some side made-up dramas anymore so I just paid extra attention during the battle parts. That helped A LOT with getting through 2 full series of it. Yeah, funny that they thought it needed a second season. One should be enough if they cut out all the extra, side dramas and focused on developing the essential parts of the novel. But it was all right, I wanted to watch it for some people. Not too much of a loss for me. But what totally ruined it for me was the lame ending.

Cast:

• Liu De Kai as Jiang Zi Ya. A good choice for Jiang Zi Ya actually. Having been a fan of him since the old days, I felt it was a suitable character for him. Yet thinking about the character Jiang Zi Ya, in general, made me want to laugh. Because he seemed so helpless at times, always needing rescuing from others. But according to the novel, some events did happen so I was fine with that. Yet I still have to say for a leader, he was quite weak (like said above) and didn’t keep me interested enough. I just know that he was essential to the story and that was it. And way down the road, he had gotten more and more passive (thank you scriptwriters–NOT) to the fact that he had to go and clean up the mess Ji Fa created more than focus on the battles.
• Zhou Jie and Victor Huang as King Zhou Wu aka Ji Fa. I want to say that I’ve never been a fan of Zhou Jie, but actually watching this, he really won me over. It was just that I never got into him since the HZGG days AND possibly because of the weird Qing era hairstyle that I didn’t feel like paying attention to him. Though I know he could act. But this one, he was really charming and convincing. He made the character seemed powerful and intelligent. Not to mention there was a mixture of gentleness and playfulness added in at times as well. The script had helped also. Yet changing it to Victor for part 2 was just painful. I don’t know. Victor looked more like he belonged to the villain side more than this side. Then I suddenly pondered if Zhou Jie made a very good choice of not returning. Since though it was supposed to be a change of cast AND not character, they made it so that the character was SO unreasonable at times, especially how he was yelling at his siblings and being stubborn about love. It was like he was taking on his oldest brother’s personality or something (like from the first part how Bo Yi Kao kept caring about love, etc). Whoever the writers were made his character really inconsistent with part 1. In fact, it had gone from bad to worse, and worse to worser. Yeah, I know “worser” is not a word, but I’m exaggerating to make a point here. Seriously? Disobeying Jiang to go search for the jade pieces? Honestly? Yeah, yeah, people might be saying it was really touching how he cared for his girl, etc. BUT he was so into the whole thing that he disregarded the soldiers and what others were fighting hard for, etc. It seemed like he was not any better than the King of Shang Zhou. OR possibly he’s even worse. So why are all those people fighting for anyhow? Part 1, they exaggerated and made Ji Fa ending up with Bi Can’s daughter, but it wasn’t so unbearable since they only squeezed it in between some conflicts. Yet this one? Totally going from bad to worse. And it was not like I want to hate Victor either, but the script really wanted to kill him for it. At least it did for me. (It’s not like I’m against romance either since my blog is filled with dramas involving romances/soaps/whatever you call it. But this story wasn’t supposed to revolve around romance, honestly!)
• Priscelia Chan as Zi Xian. Funny that they made her Bi Can’s daughter and even let her become Jiang Zi Ya’s disciple. However, I actually liked this addition to the story and felt that was kind of a riot at times. At least she was the strong character and NOT nagging type. She was quite brave and was able to contribute to the plot majorly without being too ‘in your face’ at times. Which was good for me.
• Bonnie Xian as teenager Ne Zha. So cute and funny. I read some comments about the confusion of Ne Zha being a guy or a girl and I have to laugh. The majority of past adaptations cast a girl to portray the role. (NOT sure if it was due to some superstition or something, I don’t know. It just has been that way.) Ne Zha was just plain cool in here. Having Ne Zha appeared made the plot tenfold more interesting, aside from Huang Fei Hu already ruling the show in here.
  • Wu Lei as childhood Ne Zha. The kid was soooo cute! It didn’t matter if the role was supposed to be so mischievous but he was one cute kid. Good child actor also since he managed to exude the mischievousness to the max. Then the later parts with crying and all.
• Han Dong as Er Lang Shen Yang Jian. OMG, so handsome and so cool in here! He didn’t appear until like more than the last half of the first part. But made up for all the made-up lame plots/episode fillers previously. It was like he saved the show for me in a lot of ways. Glad they made his character cool like it was supposed to be in the novel and didn’t reduce him to some nonsense character. Then he got to do lots of cool stuff too in part 2. I was so glad they didn’t replace the cast OR I would’ve stopped watching, same with how it was with Ne Zha. Then somehow, they just ended up pushing his character aside along the way, which I don’t mind as much as long as there were other characters involved and they kept the plot going at the right pace with some of the battles. And yeah, having him being in charge of the food supplies was important since no one could snatch it from him, etc. However, what I do mind was that they not only dragged the plot out to the point of unbearable with some of the love stuff (that didn’t even exist in the novel) but also dragged him in as part of the stupid conspiracy while the other gods and goddesses and other deities were helping with that one big battle. (What the hell? I couldn’t blame him since the plot was that way BUT the plot was just pathetic trying to use his skills like that–and at such a hectic time where more pressing matters needed attention toward.)
• Tay Ping Hui and Ix Shen as Huang Fei Hu. Okay, I like Ix Shen. He looked very cool in Angel Lover. But this one? Tay Ping Hui hands down. He looked so powerful as the general. I got used to Ix later on but it still didn’t feel right. I think it was because of Tay Ping Hui as Huang Fei Hu that I stuck around that long or hung on long enough for some other key characters to appear. And indeed, Ix’s portrayal did grow on me later since they managed to keep his character consistent even with the change in cast. The most powerful scene must be his death. YET I felt it was for a really stupid reason. It was because he wanted to see the stupid ghost.
• Zhang Bo Jun as Li Jing. When he first appeared, I felt like he didn’t suit the role at all. It might have to do with the fact that Huang Fei Hu was so tall and overpowering others around him. Yet I later got used to him. This story made him less cruel (as it appeared at first) regarding destroying Ne Zha’s shrine, etc. They tried to cut back on that, which was funny how their priorities were. I didn’t want to drag the whole matter out anyway, but it seemed I rather see it focus on relevant matters than other side stuff.
• Wang Hai Di and Ding Ting as Jin Zha. Ne Zha’s oldest brother. Didn’t notice much since there were too many characters but good enough for me.
• Steve Ma and Ray Lui as King Shang Zhou. Seriously? I have to say that Ray Lui rules! Yeah, people might be saying how they made Steve Ma more handsome and possibly more appealing in many ways to watch. However, the character was not supposed to be handsome. I felt like the image they created for Ray was more suitable. Not to mention how Ray looked fiercer and powerful. Not saying I hate Steve Ma since I really like both actors, and think they’re good looking in their own way. Just that Steve leaned on the side of looking like some lovesick dude, almost as bad as Bo Yi Kao, not really exuding the cruel king image as much. Though if Steve wanted, he was able to achieve the “fierce” look at some parts. They tried to let others pity Steve or something. ‘Cause it seemed like they were saying ‘poor, rich king’ kind of idea. Though people leaning on ‘love’ stuff would root for him because of what he did for love, like the other goddess said, he doesn’t care for his people at all.
• Fan Bing Bing and Ruby Lin as Su Da Ji. Um…have to say FBB was more convincing with taking the role of a fox. She exuded the cruel side and somewhat of the struggle between the fox and the real Su Da Ji really well. Plus, she was willing to go all out on the whole ‘seduction’ scenes so I guess that worked for her. Ruby tried to be super mischievous and was really cunning at times. Yet she was just too cute to be an evil fox demon, lol. I had fun watching her but I felt it was funnier than anything. And Ruby was so reserved in her outfits so she had become a cute little fox instead.
• Miao Hai Zhong/ Miao Hao Jun as Shen Gong Bao. I swear he was like the master/pro of PR back then in the days. If not, how could he persuade them and/or recruit all of those people to die for him? He was sure slick. Yet he seemed to get away with it every time. (It reminds me of a certain someone in modern days.)
• Du Zhi Guo as Su Hu. Su Da Ji’s father. SAD, tragic moments, especially how he was torn in between saving other people and sacrificing his daughter. Then knowing that it was some demon possessing his daughter–and that his daughter had to die later as well, etc.
• Lou Qi as Wu Ji. Jiang Zi Ya’s disciple. One of the actual disciples in the novel. Had fun watching him and how he got a good amount of screen time, but it collapsed later when they made way for the soap of other stuff. Yeah, I’m rolling my eyes again.
• Qi Fang as Deng Chan Yu. OMG, one of the feisty and funny girls in here that actually existed in the novel. I loved watching her scenes and her constant bicker with her shorty husband, lol. Her death was actually the most tragic or seemed that way and it got me actually almost tearing up, unlike some of the senseless scenes in here. All the flashbacks and the background music were all it needed to capture their moments.
• Mi Zi An as Princess Long Ji. Cute and another character actually from the novel. Except they did change some details regarding her. She should appear more, not some senseless characters.

Others:

Died along the way or didn’t appear much or just plain didn’t have anything to contribute to the plot in general

• Tang Guo Qiang as Yuan Shi Tian Zun. One of the most powerful gods. I cannot believe they dragged him into one of the most stupid moments of the plot too. Probably just to say, “One of the powerful gods said it too so it must be right” kind of thing.
• Wu Ma as Shang Rong. The late actor took this very righteous role and he totally nailed it. It was super frustrating to see him die and like that, but that was what happened.
• Guo Kai Min as Bi Gan. Poor guy. Yet it had to be that way, considering how his nephew was already WAY beyond help, even before Da Ji came into the picture.
• Jin Qiao Qiao as Empress Jiang. She was a brave queen yet couldn’t escape either. Loved her as the elegant and graceful empress. Too bad with her fate.
• Xu Huan Shan as Wen Tai Shi. For some weird reason, I just plain don’t like him. Well, it was obvious since he was on the other side. Yet I swear he was not that likable even if he tried to use his power against the king and made him obey, etc. He was so oblivious to stuff at times, especially with the rant of how Huang Fei Hu betrayed them. (The guy’s wife and sister DIED, what else did the old man need as proof?) So he was actually one of those elders that I didn’t care for.
• Eddie Kwan as Bo Yi Kao. I swear they made him so weak and so wishy-washy in here that it wasn’t even funny. I usually felt sad or pissed off when they kill him off in some of the other versions. But this one, I was just glad. Yeah, heartless, but the character got ruined because of other made-up catalysts.
• Liu Tao as Moon Fairy. I enjoyed her scenes in here, however little it was. She wasn’t supposed to be in the story anyway, but they made it dramatic with the other couple so whatever. But she sure exuded the fairy-like look.
  • Fan Bing Bing as Moon Fairy. Seriously? What a way to try and come back to the show. And that was my reaction when I saw her name in the cast list. But my reaction when the scenes came around involving the Moon Fairy was “What?” Because of the somewhat blurry effects so I can’t really see if it was her. But it was strange making Ji Fa seeing that she resembled Su Da Ji.
• Wang Li Ke as Zi Yu. Seriously? Why did they create her character except for episode fillers and another distraction to the overall theme? I swear I couldn’t even like her at all. From the start, she was just boring, but I accepted that they wanted to waste time. Then she just went from boring to annoying several episodes later, with her whole tantrums and demanding Ji Fa personally go fetch her. Really? Oh, not to mention her rudeness to Lei Zhen Zi later during their first encounter. What the hell was that? And she became even more useless and annoying as time went by. I never imagined I would say “useless” for any character, BUT she sure pushed past that breach. (Since I don’t like to think of it that way, even at times when characters aren’t my favorites but they could be there for a short time, etc.) What was the point of making her running off, going through some painful trials, committing suicide, and then try to revive her? What? Waste of time. I do get all the reasons for her character and personality and all the pain she went through BUT again, in such a story, why were the scriptwriters torturing us with the soap-ville stuff? It was like trying to raise her character up yet failed since they did give her a lot of credit for stuff throughout. It was like the world revolved around her BUT not really. I’m probably considered heartless by now but I’m the rare few that felt so strongly against her. (Or possibly the only one feeling that way.) As for Wang Li Ke, I looked up some of her pictures outside and I swear she looks better in real life. (And people think I was attacking WLK? NO, I was talking about the character.) What really irked me though was how they were on this journey to purify her before resurrecting her again, as if saying she was somehow “dirty” because she got raped. Yes, I was really pissed off at the scriptwriters for making it seemed that way. I didn’t like her character but didn’t like how they implied that people who weren’t obedient would eventually get raped or killed, etc. Sure, it was during a turbulent time and so chaotic, considering how they were at war, etc. But that was soooo wrong to make it that way. Yet, why should I be surprised, right?

Couples/Friendships/Bonds/Whatever else:

• Zhou Jie and Priscelia Chan as a couple. Cute couple! I liked how they were somewhat of a bickering couple. Very subtle at times and it was enough to the story, NOT too lame and draggy like how some of the other parts in here were. So I didn’t mind if they exaggerated the thing about the two characters getting together, etc.
• Ray Lui and Ruby Lin. Thanks to my sister, I suddenly remember that they had collaborated in this old ATV series where he was Zhao Chao and she was Princess Fei Feng. They didn’t end up together since he didn’t like her and she was later married to someone else. But it was really funny seeing them together like this and this time as a couple. Sometimes I enjoy their scenes (though there were indeed cruel and ‘shaking head’ parts but that was somewhat going along with the story) more than others. Then it got WAY more dramatic so I was like “ugh” as well.
• How the disciples of various characters were fighting at times. OR more like they were competing to see who got there first or completed a certain task first. That was hilarious and I loved those parts. It was actually funny, unlike some parts they tried too hard.

Interestingly Funny or more like “What?”:

Some of them were actually funny of how they made up stuff AND others were just worth some head shaking or eye-rolling moments.

• Bo Yi Kao and Su Da Ji were engaged before Da Ji was forced into going into the palace. Really? When did that happen? Not only that was outrageous with their supposed relationship along with how they were somehow linked to the Zhou side, but it led to some really draggy subplots later, like for Bo Yi Kao’s focus on love only, not caring for other stuff. Well, he did pull himself out of it when he realized it was going to harm his family BUT still, unnecessary plots.
• One of the two guys by King Shang Zhou’s side is actually Su Hu’s cousin. Really? When did that happen? And here we go again with them linking together different characters.
• Ne Zha’s mother was actually Huang Fei Hu’s sister. REALLY? So they wanted to connect the loyal/good people together. But seriously? Like who would believe that one? I actually let it slide since I was laughing the whole time, but still. It seemed like they were eager to link different characters in here.
• The exaggerated love between King Shang Zhou and Daji. Or more like with the fox-spirit. Like seriously? That went on and on for the majority of the first part, which I was fine with since it didn’t last long. Yet it just kept dragging on with how the fox spirit had fallen for the king for real and even wanted to help him keep his dynasty. Really? And what was more was using reasons or excuses for the king’s behaviors at times throughout the story, like in part one with him not really doing it on purpose for causing the death of Huang Fei Hu’s wife. Really?
• Princess Long Ji is actually the late King Zhou Wen’s adopted daughter. WOW, really? Yeah, I’m saying “really” A LOT. But it’s that outrageous with how they try to connect different stories together.
• Anything having to do with Zi Yu and Ji Fa for that matter. (Part 2 for Ji Fa since I liked him in part 1.) AND yes, I have to pick on them again. But since the storyline kept emphasizing their relationship, I think it’s fair game. Again, what the hell was that? Episode fillers and waste of time. I’m talking about characters and plot surrounding them, NOT the actor and actress SO don’t jump in trying to say I’m just hating them or jealous with them or something along those lines. And by the time I got to almost the end (since I was still hanging on for some characters), it got from worser to worsest. Because not only were the story-line draggy and pointless, it dragged Yang Jian into their stupid conspiracy, which made him miss the last battle between the disciples of the gods and all. Then making it seem like some epic romance by dragging one of the higher gods in by praising their so-called love story.
  
• Lei Zhen Zi was made into a senseless character. I didn’t remember much from the first part except he was cool enough. Yet again like characters in the 2nd part, he was reduced to some senseless role. Like he would go around and try to search for one of Ji Fa’s chicks like that. There’s a war going on! His mission (according to his master) was to go help Jiang Zi Ya fight in the battles, NOT go search for Ji Fa’s chick. Then eventually, I give up on his character altogether, especially with how he blamed Ne Zha for Zi Yu’s death. Like really? It was a slap in the face to be called stealing someone’s woman when Ne Zha was outside. Of course, Ne Zha had to go confront Zi Yu and asked what the hell was going on.
• The King of Shang Zhou went to Heaven to suck Ji Fa’s energy out of the star that represented Ji Fa? Really? Who thought of this one? Another episode filler?
• The monkey/ape who fought with Yang Jian near the end will turn into Sun Wu Kong in the future. What? Um, like really? I laughed harder than the rest of the made-up stuff. It was actually funny and interesting how they tried to link both stories together. But seriously? I couldn’t stop laughing until the next day. The characters from both works were linked later because the ones who fought against each other in this part will eventually become gods/goddesses or fairies of different sorts. But trying to link Sun Wu Kong in because that one ape also knew the same skills as Yang Jian? LOL!
• Jiang Zi Ya reserved a spot for himself YET gave it to Huang Fei Hu later. The BIGGEST what in here. Like seriously? Jiang wasn’t supposed to be one of them since it wasn’t his fate. Huang Fei Hu was already secured for that one spot, to begin with. There was no “dividing the pig” after the battle, seriously. AND having that part with Jiang arguing with his late ex-wife was also QUITE stupid and off.

Other Topics:

• “Can it get any worse than this?” is like a dare to the production team. YES, it’s true for part 2 mostly BUT every time I utter that phrase out loud, the answer delivered somewhere several scenes later or several episodes later seemed to say, “Challenged accepted.” I’m so serious.
• Part 2? Like seriously? I meant okay, I know some of the details for part 2 were what happened in the novel, more or less. But did they have to split it? I think if they cut out all the nonsense crap and the exaggerated love stories (on both sides actually), they could fit it into 40 eps or so.
• What could have been focused on? There were a lot of interesting stories in the novel and could have been focused on instead of some made-up senseless stuff that couldn’t match up to it. In fact, I’m tempted to go read the novel again and extract stuff from it that was more relevant. (My first read was somewhat unsuccessful because of some side stuff so I didn’t finish exactly but knew some of the things were irrelevant.)

What was good about it?

Yes, Apparently I’m saving this topic for last because I rather end it with a positive note (or whatever is left of it that I could find).

• Effects. Seriously, loved the effects and it was really suitable for these types of stories.
• Ne Zha. YES, the cute kid actor and eventually the actress who portrayed the character. Plus all the cool stuff Ne Zha got, later on, weapon wise and the skills acquired.
• Yang Jian. NO, Yang Jian’s NOT supposed to be under command of that Ji Fa. Since Ji Fa wasn’t that bossy in the novel. Besides, Yang Jian only listened to his master, who they merged it in and gave a lot of credit to that one god, BUT he wasn’t supposed to be Yang Jian’s master in the novel. And when he was sent down to help Jiang, he only listened to Jiang, NOT some idiot. Aside from that, Han Dong is now my favorite Yang Jian. So handsome, so cool, and all. YET they ruined him near the end. BUT I guess it wasn’t his fault.
• Huang Fei Hu, mostly Tay Ping Hui, but yeah. Loved the character overall and he was the sole reason I stuck around for more than the first half of the story (like stated before) and managed to hang on.
• Ji Fa–BUT only the first part. YES, I have to say it again, Zhou Jie made a very wise decision for not coming back.
• Zi Xian. Priscelia made it very cute and likable at times, but she was also a very strong and admirable person.
• Deng Chan Yu and her shorty husband. Favorite couple in part 2 since they were sooooo funny. Too bad they had to die tragically as well.

Recommended? After all my rants, it’s more like from the side of the minority who couldn’t stand it anymore. But for people who enjoy it or like the cast, go ahead. I actually don’t think it’s worth it and if possible, just fast forward or search around for scenes that you might enjoy and watch. ‘Cause I swear I wasted like millions of brain cells watching it. (My fault actually, but since my mom wanted to watch and I somehow was just sitting there, I might as well.) But one thing’s for sure, I will try to avoid this producer and director’s works for the future JUST to eliminate another mistake I might make.

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