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I am not sure when it started. Perhaps with the success of Hero and House of Flying Daggers, but at some point the Mainland started pumping out these lavish stunningly colored wuxia and fantasy films. Over time though they began to rely more and more on CGI. I feel like I am being smothered by it in these films. The same with Marvel movies of late. The CGI overwhelms any sense of humanity; sucks the soul out of it. I envision factories in China just producing CGI, 24 hours a day. Programmers handcuffed to their computers with quotas to meet. Overseers yelling out faster, faster. Elaborate cities in the sky, creatures both good and bad, evil wizardry, the saturated colors of the rainbow, vast armies and unruly crowds. I do my best to avoid these films because there is nothing behind the curtain. It is just the CGI starring at you. But I have had this DVD for a few years now and thought it was time to cross it off my list. Just dive in.


I almost bailed immediately upon seeing a large CGI rodent like animal that is the companion of our main protagonist and lets off gas so vile that vomit bags should be handed out. But if you can flow with the CGI this is cute enough. A total imaginary world of men and other creatures living together. According to Wikipedia, this was the first film in a planned franchise of TV and films that are set in this fantasy world. Terrifying thought. Once upon a time, the Winged Tribe that could fly dominated the human race, but humans won a victory over them and occupied the glorious city of Uranopolis. Over generations, most of the Winged Tribe lost their wings. Now under the rule of Xue Lie (Simon Yam in enough make up that his wife would not be able to recognize him), they want to regain their power. All they need are the Naga Pearls.


Only three heroes can stop them. Ni Kongkong (Wang Talu from Taiwan) who along with his rodent is a master thief. Hei Yu (Crystal Zhang from China) is from the Winged Tribe and believes that they should live in harmony with each other. Finally, Gali (Sheng Guansen) who has some secrets to hide and his courage to prove. The two male actors are generally annoying as hell. Wang with his wide goofy Natalis Chan smile and Sheng with his lack of charisma. The CGI rodent has a better personality. Traveling with the two of them as they set out on their adventure to save humanity is like a long car trip with five-year olds in the back seat asking, are we there yet. Some of the CGI is quite imaginative with its imperial city, landscapes and the large lair they go to filled with criminals in hiding, gambling, drinking, prostitutes and all around fun. Lots of wire kung fu as well. None that will stick with you though.

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