The Duke of Mount Deer


Reviewed by: yukino2002

June 09, 2009

Rating: four-point-five

Introduction

The well known story of the Wei Xiao Bao (WXB), a streetwise kid from a brothel in Yangzhou, his chanced friendship with the emperor Kang Xi (KX), and his struggle to maintain loyalties to both the emperor and the opposing Heaven & Earth Society is a Jin Yong classic. It may just be my favorite because WXB is the most lively of Jin Yong's characters. He is the perfect anti-hero, unlike Jin Yong's other male protagonists (Guo Jing, Yang Guo, Jiang Wu Ji etc), WXB doesn't become a master martial artist, isn't a particularly moral person, and is not faithful to one woman. This adaptation of WXB's story is very faithful to the original and to my surprised, I really enjoyed the series (I am a hardcore Tony Leung / Andy Lau version fan).

Casting

Huang Xiao Ming (HXM) as Wei Xiao Bao (WXB)

I was most impressed by HXM's portrayal of WXB. He did a great job showing WXB's playful nature. I also think he very convincing showed WXB's dilemma especially close to the end of the series. One of my favorite scenes is when WXB has decided to leave the palace forever with his 7 wives and he started crying in front of KX who had no clue at the time.

Wallace Chung as Kang Xi (KX)

Equally impressive was Wallace's portrayal of the young emperor Kang Xi. I think the highlight of this series was definitely WXB's relationship with KX and you really need two strong actors to succeed. He looked very much the part of a young man growing into the role of an emperor, wanting to make a mark of his own, and yet still wanting to maintain a casual friendship with his childhood friend, WXB.

Zhu Yan Ping as Chen Jin Nan

Zhu Yan Ping was a strong Chen Jin Nan although honestly I was so absorbed by WXB and KX's relationship that I didn't pay as much attention to his and WXB's disciple relationship. I think this is the other one that needed to be really strong for the audience to feel WXB's dilemma.

Liu Yun as Mu Jian Ping

I liked Liu Yun as Mu Jian Ping. She really brought out the innocence which is the essence of the young girl.

Liu Zi as Fang Yi

Fang Yi is the strongheaded older sister type who commits to WXB in order to save her Senior Liu Yi Zhou, but she starts to see WXB's virtues. Her relationship with him is a little more complex as she (at least seemingly) betrays him by luring him to the Divine Dragon Island, but he forgives her in the end when he learns that she was trying to get the antidote for Mu Jian Ping and herself. I don't really have much of a critique for Liu Zi, she looked the part.

He Zhuo Yan as Shuang Er

Shuang Er is probably my favorite of WXB's wives just because she is so sweet, caring and loyal. How could you not like her? And plus she kicks ass!! I do think she's a pretty straight forward character to play but He Zhuo Yan was a lovely Shuang Er.

Shu Chang as Princess Jian Ning

My least favorite wife. But anyways, Shu Chang successfully annoyed me so... good job?

Cherrie Ying as A Ke

Cherrie is a very pretty A Ke. Her hair and costume was a little off though... it looked a tad modern.

Hu Ke as Su Quan

I loved this Su Quan. I had always thought that it was weird in the 84 version that Su Quan was so much older looking when she's supposed to be so beautiful.

Li Fei Er as Zeng Rou

I think Zeng Rou is the most boring of the wives....but I don't have any complaints.

TAE as Liu Yi Zhou

A very convincing jealous and cowardly man.

Others

I actually really liked a lot of the cast and didn't really see anyone that I thought was absolutely wrong for the job. Also kudos to the kids who acted as young KX and WXB, they were superb.

Costumes and Props

Obviously, CCTV had a larger budget than TVB's 84 series. I thought the costumes were good. Wallace Chung looked nice in both the red and gold emperor's outfit. Some of the female hair styles were too modern. I also thought it was weird that Princess Jian Ning still wore her headress even when it was just WXB, wives, and children on the island. But again, minor details.

Sets

I liked the sets of the Royal Palace and the brothel in Yang Zhou best. The scenery isn't as elaborate as ROCH but I don't think it was necessary.

Recommendation
I recommend it! The acting was great and the costumes were lovely (for the most part).


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