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barelyconcealed

barelyconcealed

Once Upon a Time chinese movie review
Completed
Once Upon a Time
0 people found this review helpful
by barelyconcealed
Sep 25, 2021
Completed
Overall 5.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 3.5
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 1.5
Trigger warnings for suicide and very stylized eye trauma.

I am not very familiar with the source material, either the web novel or drama. I watched some of the drama but only enough to know it wasn't for me.

The production design of this movie, specifically in terms of practical sets and costumes was pretty solid. The decision to put every actor and actress in miles of chiffon is one I agree with. From what I've read this is a director who is best known as a cinematographer and I think that carries through in terms of direction.

Where the movie falls apart for me is in terms of plot and narrative.

Without a Wikipedia plot summary, I'm not sure I could've followed along with this movie. There is a lot of information crammed into 2 hours, which while admirable is perhaps not advisable. These characters have lived thousands of years worth of plot relevant suffering and giving us a cliff notes version of those years is a good way to give your audience narrative whiplash.

The overall performances are fine.The rest of the movie is, in a word fine. l have never seen a more beautiful movie that I did not care about.

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