Legend of the Condor Heroes 2006 (Ariel Lin, Hu Ge)

[PrinceKrillo]

A lot of people talk about the 1983 production being good, but for those of us that need things to be in MANDARIN, it really just comes down to the two most recent adaptations.

And given that Zhang Ji Zhong has just now recently finished his Condor Trilogy (2003-2009), it makes sense to watch all three of HIS productions in order to maintain continuity and the same "feel/atmosphere."




All I know is, this scene is absolutely bone-chilling.

It's astonishing to see Li Ya Peng EXPLODE at Zhou Xun like that for the first time in the entire series ...

... a real testament to Li Ya Peng's acting ability ... that he was keeping up the "stupid" facade the entire time prior to this point.

Everyone had gotten used to Guo Jing's "stupid, nice guy" personality ... so to see Li Ya Peng suddenly explode like that is stupefying ... especially since he had never even raised his voice to Huang Rong prior to this point in the series.

The drama is unreal.

The superb acting and chemistry between Li Ya Peng and Zhou Xun and the believability of their characters' relationship is unrivaled.

[laisee]

PrinceKrillo, aren't you on the wrong thread? Since you love LOCH03 so much, why don't you start your own thread on it? We just want to fangirl pretty eye candy like Hu Ge and his peeps here. Who cares if Zhou Jie looked good in HZGG? Something went wrong with his look in LOCH03 and he became a major fugly Yang Kang and that in itself went against a key description of the character in the novel.

Personally, work tires me out and at the end of the day, I do need my pretty eye candy idol dramas to cheer me up. What's wrong with having both serious dramas and idol dramas on Chinese channels? If China doesn't have its own idol dramas, most of my peeps would rather tune into the Korean and Taiwanese channels and say to hell with ZJZ's serious artsy stuff.

[C-luv-H]

PrinceKrillo, aren't you on the wrong thread? Since you love LOCH03 so much, why don't you start your own thread on it? We just want to fangirl pretty eye candy like Hu Ge and his peeps here. Who cares if Zhou Jie looked good in HZGG? Something went wrong with his look in LOCH03 and he became a major fugly Yang Kang and that in itself went against a key description of the character in the novel.Personally, work tires me out and at the end of the day, I do need my pretty eye candy idol dramas to cheer me up. What's wrong with having both serious dramas and idol dramas on Chinese channels? If China doesn't have its own idol dramas, most of my peeps would rather tune into the Korean and Taiwanese channels and say to hell with ZJZ's serious artsy stuff.

I so agree with you. *high five*

[Vienne94]

All I know is, this scene is absolutely bone-chilling.

It's astonishing to see Li Ya Peng EXPLODE at Zhou Xun like that for the first time in the entire series ...

... a real testament to Li Ya Peng's acting ability ... that he was keeping up the "stupid" facade the entire time prior to this point.

Everyone had gotten used to Guo Jing's "stupid, nice guy" personality ... so to see Li Ya Peng suddenly explode like that is stupefying ... especially since he had never even raised his voice to Huang Rong prior to this point in the series.

The drama is unreal.

The superb acting and chemistry between Li Ya Peng and Zhou Xun and the believability of their characters' relationship is unrivaled.

I don't know about bone-chilling but the camera work bothers me a lot. Too many shoot from the hip height shots. And I think Ariel did a much better job as Huang Rong. Sorry but I just think Zhou Xun has no expression most of the time and the whole drama looks so gray and depressing. The 2003 version might be more true to the original story but I think 2008's version is more entertaining. And yes just like laisee and C-luv-H, I need some eye-candy!

[IPlayWow]

PrinceKrillo, aren't you on the wrong thread? Since you love LOCH03 so much, why don't you start your own thread on it? We just want to fangirl pretty eye candy like Hu Ge and his peeps here. Who cares if Zhou Jie looked good in HZGG? Something went wrong with his look in LOCH03 and he became a major fugly Yang Kang and that in itself went against a key description of the character in the novel.

Personally, work tires me out and at the end of the day, I do need my pretty eye candy idol dramas to cheer me up. What's wrong with having both serious dramas and idol dramas on Chinese channels? If China doesn't have its own idol dramas, most of my peeps would rather tune into the Korean and Taiwanese channels and say to hell with ZJZ's serious artsy stuff.

What do you mean the wrong thread? He's talking about the same story isn't he?

So all you care is about how good looking the actor/actress is rather than how good an actor/actress can play out the scene?

The 2008 version did nothing good other than putting in good looking actor/actress to entertain those who could careless about Jin Yong great novels......

[xiaolong]

So all you care is about how good looking the actor/actress is rather than how good an actor/actress can play out the scene?

I do like the LOCH03 version, but in terms of character portrayal, I think Zhou Xun and Shui Ling did a far better job than the male leads. In fact, Zhou Xun and Shui Ling, who are both very beautiful, weren't actually at the right age for the characters. I always felt LOCH characters needed to have that youthful fresh spirit that only artistes in their early 20s can capture. But their acting and charisma were good enough for me to overcome their age disadvantage.

Yes, Li Ya Peng and Zhou Jie were not good-looking in the drama. But their portrayal of their characters in LOCH03 was not enough for me to overlook their lack of looks. E.g. to sidetrack, Chen Jianbin is really nothing to look at, yet he won me over with his portrayal of Cao Cao in Three Kingdoms. So when I see him onscreen, I no longer care about his lack of looks thereof and just look forward to his interpretation of the script. Whereas, Li Ya Peng and Zhou Jie failed to win me over in LOCH03. I didn't see any chem whatsoever between Li Ya Peng and Zhou Xun either.

Anyway, I agree with laisee. If you want to fangirl ZJZ's LOCH03 so much, why not start a dedicated thread on it?

[PrinceKrillo]

Hmm ... I wonder, what exactly is the criteria for being an "idol?"

Inferior acting skills and overrated looks?

If so, then yes ... by all means, Ariel Lin is quite the "idol."

How about having a squash-shaped head, a donkey-like persona, and a metrosexual body?

If that's the criteria, then I can see why you would "idolize" Hu Ge.





This is the infamous fight scene from the 2003 version featuring the likes of Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Qiu Chu Ji, the Quan Zhen Taoists, the Jiang Nan freak leader, Huang Yao Shi, Ouyang Feng, AND Hong Qi Gong.

It's the craziest bat-s*** ever, and I would love for someone to find the 2008 Shanghai version of this part of the story so that we can compare them and see what a JOKE that version is.

Chinese Entertainment Shanghai Ltd. can't touch Zhang Ji Zhong. ZJZ is the REASON why TV actors become stars and household names. Everyone from Liu Yi Fei to Yang Mi to Shu Chang. Zhang Ji Zhong is the MAKER of stars. TV actors are willing to sell their kidneys for a chance to work with the MASTER.


Zhou_Xun.jpg


ZHOU XUN


THERE'S your idol. Zhou Xun's acting skills surpass those of the entire cast of the 2008 Shanghai Condor Heroes. Huang Rong would never have become one of my favorite wuxia characters of all time if it weren't for her stupendous portrayal. And looks? Well, if you actually think Ariel Lin is more attractive than Zhou Xun, you must be MISSING EYE BALLS.

Although honestly ... if your reasons for not liking a series are really because certain actors are too "ugly" ... then wow ... that's not incredibly shallow at all. And your opinion is really valid.

In addition, you really HAVE to be either blind or stupid to not have felt the chemistry between Li Ya Peng and Zhou Xun's characters. It was so blatantly there you'd had to have been high or drunk the entire time watching the series not to feel it.

If it comes down to Zhang Ji Zhong vs. the Chinese Paladin producers ... without even a second thought, ZJZ always wins. Period.


---------------------

You see this video? This is Zhang Ji Zhong's recent TELEVISED birthday celebration ... in his honor. All the stars came out to give shout-outs, including the likes of Yang Mi and Jessey Meng Guang Mei from Zhang Ji Zhong's professional past.

Wu Yue, Zang Jin Sheng, and Xu Jin Jiang (Elvis Tsui) came out on stage with Zhang Ji Zhong and helped him celebrate. And also presented him with a great birthday present.

I don't see anyone giving a crap about what's-her-face ... the producer of 2008 Condor Heroes. It's cause no one cares. And Lee Kwok-lap doesn't even have a Wikipedia entry. WEAK! Everybody has one!

Zhang Ji Zhong and myself kinda think alike ... he probably hates Hu Ge as much as I do. That's why Zhang Ji Zhong has collaborated with nearly every worthwhile TV star in the past decade (from Vincent Jiao to Nie Yuan to Ady An to Eva Huang) but NEVER with Hu Ge.

If Zhang Ji Zhong was forced to work with Hu Ge, he'd probably slap that idiot to death before they ever finished shooting.



HE ZHUO YAN


Take He Zhuo Yan for example. She was LITERALLY MADE by Zhang Ji Zhong. To quote her Wikipedia entry, she "emerged as champion of the Zhang Jizhong category of the Chinese Yahoo Three Directors Star Search programme" ... thus becoming a STAR.

Wow.

Zhang Ji Zhong is so prominent he has his own CATEGORIES.

I've never heard of a Lee Kwok-lap category, however ...

And Zhang Ji Zhong LOVED He Zhuo Yan so much thereafter, he cast her in everything. Including giving her almost FOUR entire episodes in Journey to the West (2012). Seriously. It's almost four entire episodes of just her character trying to seduce and rape Nie Yuan's character. And it's cinema GOLD.

Zhang Ji Zhong eventually edited down Ady An's scenes down to her having almost no lines at all ... but didn't have the heart to cut out anything of He Zhuo Yan's. What does THAT tell you?

[NuDaFu]

A lot of people talk about the 1983 production being good, but for those of us that need things to be in MANDARIN, it really just comes down to the two most recent adaptations.

You can get LOCH83 dubbed in Mandarin.

What do you mean the wrong thread? He's talking about the same story isn't he?

So all you care is about how good looking the actor/actress is rather than how good an actor/actress can play out the scene?

The 2008 version did nothing good other than putting in good looking actor/actress to entertain those who could careless about Jin Yong great novels......

This thread is specifically on LOCH06 and not a general thread for LOCH. Mentioning the original novel and other adaptations in context of LOCH06 would be the right thread. One or few divergent post seems permissable on this forum, but PrinceKrillo seems to continously champion LOCH03 to the exclusion of all else. There is nothing wrong with that, but on a dedicated thread, not this one. It's about what is appropriate and not appropriate.

However, after your most recent thread PrinceKrillo, I call attention to your inappropriate comments. Stay in the discussion about the context. You have specifically diverged to personal attacks in your language with

you must be MISSING EYE BALLS.

you really HAVE to be either blind or stupid

No one would dare read this thread under the threat of attack if they happened to disagree with you.

So please, keep it friendly.

Ok, back to LOCH06...

It's amazing how hard the actors and actresses worked in this production. They once did this 2 week filming sprint with only 8hrs of sleep for the leads (I think that works out to almost 1hr sleep per day according to my rusty calculations). It's interesting how LGL interpreted that scene. He managed to squeeze romance out of an otherwise serious political coup within the ranks of the Beggar Clan. At one point, GJ was really HR's 'one man army'. I think it emphasised the danger of losing it all within the political context of that moment. What really impressed me was the attempt at spinning out the fight between HR and YK. After all, being a Wuxia, it's about the fights! Admittedly, it wasn't Red Cliff material, but I was happy with a little more than a quick 'tap tap'.

[PrinceKrillo]

Mentioning the original novel and other adaptations in context of LOCH06 would be the right thread. One

From what I can tell, it's all in context of 2008 Condor Heroes.

The YT scenes show how much better Zhang Ji Zhong's production is in comparison to 2008 Condor Heroes.

The listing of famous TV actors shows the span of Zhang Ji Zhong's career ... as opposed to the likes of Karen Tsoi and Lee Kwok-lap.

Pointing out their lack of Wikipedia entries further speaks to their lack of prominence. Everything on Earth has an entry on Wikipedia.

Posting Zhang Ji Zhong's televised birthday toast also speaks to what a better producer/director he is. Loved and respected by the industry. And if you think he cares about the opinions of some Hu Ge fangirls, I assure you he doesn't in the LEAST.

And that picture of Zhou Xun? It's to show how much of a better looking Huang Rong she is than Lin Yi Chen.

Yep.

All in context.

[bakaPX]

Umm, off topic but why is PrinceKrillo so heated up about LOCH08? If you don't like it, then you don't like it. Yes, it can't compare to other versions but it's an idol drama for a reason. And you don't have to go as far as calling someone blind saying that they basically have no sense in beauty. So what if Hu Ge hasn't been touched by Zhang Ji Zhong? He's been touched by Jackie Chan TWICE. Does it really matter? Hu Ge can get his own career by himself. He doesn't need some director who's so called the Master to make him known. If you're going to rant, make a different thread.

[laisee]

Although honestly ... if your reasons for not liking a series are really because certain actors are too "ugly" ... then wow ... that's not incredibly shallow at all. And your opinion is really valid.

In addition, you really HAVE to be either blind or stupid to not have felt the chemistry between Li Ya Peng and Zhou Xun's characters. It was so blatantly there you'd had to have been high or drunk the entire time watching the series not to feel it

I didn't feel anything between Li Ya Peng & Zhou Xun either *stifling a laugh* And I didn't say I didn't like LOCH03. Where in my posts did I say so? All I'm saying is that both versions are of different genres. Any fast-growing business industry needs diversity. Without diversity, China's drama industry will be killed off by the much more mature Korean, HK and Taiwanese drama industries.

Since you think you are so extremely intelligent, then why even bother conversing with us "stupid" and "shallow" people who love watching eye candy on our TVs? Go start your own LOCH03 thread to have your own "intellectual" convos with fellow ZJZ fans.

So what if Hu Ge hasn't been touched by Zhang Ji Zhong? He's been touched by Jackie Chan TWICE. Does it really matter? Hu Ge can get his own career by himself. He doesn't need some director who's so called the Master to make him known.

And may I add Hu Ge's also been touched by Jingle Ma, one of HK's most influential movie directors. And he's the lead in DIVA, the latest movie of HK's hottest young director Heiward Mak. ZJZ hasn't even made a dent in the much more prestigious movie industry. Neither has his "protege" He Zhuo Yan.

It's amazing how hard the actors and actresses worked in this production. They once did this 2 week filming sprint with only 8hrs of sleep for the leads (I think that works out to almost 1hr sleep per day according to my rusty calculations). It's interesting how LGL interpreted that scene. He managed to squeeze romance out of an otherwise serious political coup within the ranks of the Beggar Clan. At one point, GJ was really HR's 'one man army'. I think it emphasised the danger of losing it all within the political context of that moment. What really impressed me was the attempt at spinning out the fight between HR and YK. After all, being a Wuxia, it's about the fights! Admittedly, it wasn't Red Cliff material, but I was happy with a little more than a quick 'tap tap'.

OK, back to the topic at hand. Yes! I felt the most for the GJ-HR coupling at the beggar clan scene. I personally preferred Hu Ge & Ariel's awesome romantic chem in Fairy In Wonderland. I kinda thought they kept too much of a fun friendship-type vibe in their GJ-HR coupling, but I loved their hug of desperation as the beggars advanced towards them.

[xiaolong]

Posting Zhang Ji Zhong's televised birthday toast also speaks to what a better producer/director he is. Loved and respected by the industry. And if you think he cares about the opinions of some Hu Ge fangirls, I assure you he doesn't in the LEAST.

If he doesn't care, why do you care? I don't think any Hu Ge fan here cares about what ZJZ thinks of us either, LOL.

And is He Zhuo Yan even a "star"?

The interesting thing about LOCH06 was that conversation that MNC has with QCJ; about facing his responsibilities with YK's upbringing. Instead of blaming all the bad results on YK, MNC makes QCJ question his contribution to those results (e.g. neglect in his upbringing?). I found that quite innovative.

There was also an earlier convo about the matter between QCJ and Wang Chuyi (the priest YK tried to poison earlier in the series). QCJ shouted at YK for going to far in his disrespect for his real dad, they fought and YK hit QCJ. Then after sitting down for a few secs to heal off his injury, QCJ was about to look for YK to give him a sound beating, and Wang Chuyi said "It's you who went too far" and gave him a sound dressing-down for not taking away BXR & YK.

[IPlayWow]

I didn't feel anything between Li Ya Peng & Zhou Xun either *stifling a laugh* And I didn't say I didn't like LOCH03. Where in my posts did I say so? All I'm saying is that both versions are of different genres. Any fast-growing business industry needs diversity. Without diversity, China's drama industry will be killed off by the much more mature Korean, HK and Taiwanese drama industries.

Since you think you are so extremely intelligent, then why even bother conversing with us "stupid" and "shallow" people who love watching eye candy on our TVs? Go start your own LOCH03 thread to have your own "intellectual" convos with fellow ZJZ fans.



And may I add Hu Ge's also been touched by Jingle Ma, one of HK's most influential movie directors. And he's the lead in DIVA, the latest movie of HK's hottest young director Heiward Mak. ZJZ hasn't even made a dent in the much more prestigious movie industry. Neither has his "protege" He Zhuo Yan.


OK, back to the topic at hand. Yes! I felt the most for the GJ-HR coupling at the beggar clan scene. I personally preferred Hu Ge & Ariel's awesome romantic chem in Fairy In Wonderland. I kinda thought they kept too much of a fun friendship-type vibe in their GJ-HR coupling, but I loved their hug of desperation as the beggars advanced towards them.

So you only care about the love scenes between the actor and actress? Jin Yong great writing skills and mind gone down the drain......

[fuyuko]

So you only care about the love scenes between the actor and actress? Jin Yong great writing skills and mind gone down the drain......

and @ PrinceKrillo

People who watch the same drama or read the same book don't all like or dislike it for the same reason(s). Why must you look down/criticize others for being shallow or whatever for liking love scenes or chemistry between the actors and actresses? Some people like to watch wuxia for fighting scenes. Me, I don't care. I don't go around criticizing people because all they care about watching a wuxia drama is for the kungfu/fighting scenes. Why can't you just respect the fact that people like drama/books/fiction for different reasons? You might care about how great JY's writing skill is, but there are people who don't give a dam* about it (like me, I've never read any of his books and I don't care how great they are either. I might be missing out, but I don't consider that significant). They just want to enjoy their time, to relax, just focusing on things that interest them. But that DOES NOT make them any less than you are.

*sorry my post is off-topic

[bakaPX]

And may I add Hu Ge's also been touched by Jingle Ma, one of HK's most influential movie directors. And he's the lead in DIVA, the latest movie of HK's hottest young director Heiward Mak. ZJZ hasn't even made a dent in the much more prestigious movie industry. Neither has his "protege" He Zhuo Yan.

Really? I need to go learn my Chinese directors then. xP

[GeShiYuan]

HE ZHUO YAN

Do you even know what He Zhuo Yan look like? That picture above looks nothing like HZY. And seriously, she a star? She's been in ZJZ's major productions but yet failed to impress.

It was so blatantly there you'd had to have been high or drunk the entire time watching the series not to feel it.

I would actually have to be drunk in order to see any chemistry between the two leads or even finished the series. Li Ya Peng acted like a retarded GJ and Zhou Xun was wooden and flat.

[Dragon Heiress]

LOCH03 is my favourite version too but at least I have the sense to accept that other people have different opinion.

[IPlayWow]

and @ PrinceKrillo

People who watch the same drama or read the same book don't all like or dislike it for the same reason(s). Why must you look down/criticize others for being shallow or whatever for liking love scenes or chemistry between the actors and actresses? Some people like to watch wuxia for fighting scenes. Me, I don't care. I don't go around criticizing people because all they care about watching a wuxia drama is for the kungfu/fighting scenes. Why can't you just respect the fact that people like drama/books/fiction for different reasons? You might care about how great JY's writing skill is, but there are people who don't give a dam* about it (like me, I've never read any of his books and I don't care how great they are either. I might be missing out, but I don't consider that significant). They just want to enjoy their time, to relax, just focusing on things that interest them. But that DOES NOT make them any less than you are.

*sorry my post is off-topic

So in translation to that....it could also mean that people should not care who their parents or grand parents or even great ancestor are....but just be happy that they are living?

it's like oh well who care what the story is about....who care who wrote it.....all they wanna watch is their favorite hot looking actor/actress?


people of today are losing so many culture and tradition......

[Dragon Heiress]

^I'm going to guess that you aren't Chinese yourself because you don't seem to understand this at all. There will always be people who like watching martial arts and there will always be people who don't give a damn. It's been like that for millennia and I find it laughable the you seem to have a problem with this. Romance is a huge part of LOCH, caring more for that part does not constitute as not caring for the story. This has nothing to do with grandparents or whatever. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that fuyoko's grandfather was not a wulin gaoshou who could fly around with qingong and all. And if you want to be dictated by traditional Chinese values, then you should know that the warrior was detested and considered below the four respectable occupations.

[fuyuko]

So in translation to that....it could also mean that people should not care who their parents or grand parents or even great ancestor are....but just be happy that they are living?

it's like oh well who care what the story is about....who care who wrote it.....all they wanna watch is their favorite hot looking actor/actress?


people of today are losing so many culture and tradition......

Okay, you totally lost me on how you went from what I wrote to about not caring who our parents/grandparents/great ancestors are. I mean, I wrote about respecting the fact that people like drama/books/fiction for different reasons, what does that have anything to do with our ancestors???

You don't seem to understand the fact that each person have his/her own mind. Your/My grandparents might not even have the same opinion on a specific topic/issue as your/my parents. Your/my grandfather and grandmother might not even agree when discussing the same topic. Each person have what they prefer/like/dislike/believe in. There are people who watch a movie/drama/anime because of certain actor/actress/seiyuu/PD/writer that they like, or because they heard that the movie/drama/anime contains issues/topics that they're interested in. Who gives you the right to condemn them?

*edit
Let me ask you a question, have you ever bought a magazine or watched a show because you like a certain celebrity? I don't know about you, but there are lots of people who did/do that. There's NOTHING WRONG with that. I mean, you like JY, thinking he's so great. You like him for his writing skills, because he wrote novels that you fell in love with (he's a writer after all, that's what he does). Actors/actresses sell not only through their acting skills, but also their appearance. Liking to watch an actor/actress for his/her appearance is a natural thing.

*again sorry for going off-topic