Return of the Condor Hero (Shen Diao Xia Lu)
Third and possibly last update message to this post: The show uses alot of the same cast from the predecessor “She Diao Ying Xiong Zhuan” (the additional cast like Zhou Botong, Yi Deng, etc; but Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Ouyang Feng, Hong QiGong, Huang Yaoshi and He Zhen Nam changed) and it makes a good collection item if you have that series. I’ve also heard that it’s on sales already though I’ve yet to confirm it myself and I don’t think I’ll be buying since I’ve already watched it like 27 million times — get boring easier than the other episodes perhaps because I know this story too well. And alot of Dragonheart’s music throughout the entire series, pretty cool!
Second Update: OMFG, they’re using Dragonheart’s music as can be heard in Episode 25 from 17m58s to 18m50s! If you’d watched Dragonheart, it’s played when “Draco” rises to the sky into the constellation at his death… Boy do I love that song!!
Update: For the righteous who think I should be buying instead of downloading, please be informed that TS claimed that they (well I’m a member there so yeah) don’t have this show on sale yet as of 14 April 2006. So my impatience leaves me with no choice but to do so. Just sayin’.
… A.K.A 神雕侠侣.
As you might have known, I am a sucker for Jinyong’s stories when put on screen because I don’t have to read the chinese characters that I am not familiar with, and I get to see pretty girls most of the time (as they almost always have great cast).
So I’ve only watched a few episodes (because the rest are still *coughs*being downloaded*coughs*) and I can tell you it’s a magnificent production with great (and pretty) cast.
I think the one behind the camera is the same as the one behind “Legend of the Condor Hero” starring Li Ya Peng and Zhou Xun. Well, he ’s the man. Out of the few episodes I watched, one thing he did great is portraying the battles with aerial views of the scenes, resulting in an almost Lord of the Rings feel, just not as majestic.
As for the cast, Crystal Liu made a great Xiao Long Nu. Some might argue she’s too young for the role, but truth is, she’s the most suitable candidate to date. Xiao Long Nu was 18 when she met Yang Guo, and Crystal Liu is 19. Xiao Long Nu always looked so young because of her years sleeping on the Jade Bed, and Crystal’s almost naive and pure looks shows. (Did I mention I totally dig her in Chronicles of the Heavenly Dragon?)
And Yang Mi (acting as Guo Xiang) in the show looks like Ayumi under some angles because of her nose. Hey, I’ve been looking at Ayumi for well over 7 years so your mileage may vary! Her sideview is totally Ayumi look-alike, well at least to me.
All right, that’s how much I can say for 5 episodes watched, and I think you do not wish to be bored by the plot details for it’s so overrated already — who doesn’t know “Return of the Condor Hero” anyway? I think if you like the story, go buy it. China started broadcasting this on March 17 2006, so it will probably take a few more months (or years) before Singapore starts doing so.
Okay, this is what I’m going to be busy with for some time (apart from some other assignments), till we meet again.