Cast
Adam Cheng - Ling Fung/Yu Man Fung
Liza Wang - Tong Bik/Wong Fu Yan
Raymond Lam - Mang Lui
Shirley Yeung - Wong Yee
Mimi Lo - Chun Wai
Yeung Suet - Sima Ping Ting
Carlo Ng - Sima Siu Yiu
Gregory Lee - Ho Fei
Lo Hoi Pang - Fung Bo/ Fung Gong Gong
Olivia Fu - Chun Mui
Wong Shu Kei - Lau Sin Leung
Zhang Heng
Chan Hung Lit
Yu Yeung
Intro
TVBs grand production that took 3 years to release, "Blade Heart" lived up to par, but not without some disappointments. Judging from all the hype and excitement before the actual opening week, one would expect a better opening week result. However, "Blade" took a lousy 27 points and continued the bad streak, having a lowest of 24. Then the tables turned in the last 3 weeks, rising steadily to a 33 points in the last week. Not bad, judging from all the bad reviews it got since then. Personally I find the series interesting and captivating, but there were some points where it kind of dragged. But first, heres a summary...
By the way, there are 37 episodes and 18 tapes, so the last tape has 3 episodes and no themesong for any of them (at least that's how it was on the DVD version). English subtitles are available on DVD and they are quite reliable because my brother understood most of the time reading the subtitles.
Summary (Spoilers! Scroll down to Character Analysis if you dont want to know)
The scene opens (and a wonderful opening scene it was, I must say) at the one of the Forbidden Citys many courtyards. There are a lot of performers. Sitting at the highest point is the young emperor and his two advisors, Fung Bo, the highest ranking eunuch, and Cheung Gui Zing, the treasurer. Then the scene switches to Adams character, Yu Man Fung, and his royal brocade guards riding to the Killers Lair to stir up some trouble. The scene continues to switch back and forth until Yu Man Fung finds out that a batch of killers are already in the palace, attempting to assassinate the emperor. Then the lead performer back at the palace begins to sing in this enchanting voice that causes the emperor to be captivated by her beauty and talent. The performance is cut short and the Brocade guards, led by Qin Woo official Yu Man Fung, ride in, warning the emperor of the danger. No one believes Yu, but he is persistent and causes the killers to take action. Fung saves the emperors life just in time, makes a witty comment, does some awesome kungfu moves and rides off into the night as the terrific themesong blasts off in the background.
(Dont worry the rest of the summary will not be this detailed. I just find the opening scene worth mentioning.)
It turns out that Yu Man Fung is a high ranking official in the court of the emperor. Many people fear him or find him extremely curious because he has a mask covering the left side of his face. He leads the Brocade guards to find a killer on the loose and ends up next to a boat which houses the Zhen Gong Transport Co.'s highest in command, Mr. Wong and his wife, Wong Fu Yan (Mrs. Wong, played by Liza Wang). Yu Man Fungs rival from the East Factory is also on the same trail. They both have their eye on the prize. Wong Fu Yan tricks Fung into following her, leading her husband to safety. At the time, they do not see each others face.
20 or so years ago, Wong Fu Yan is the Tong familys daughter. The Tong family is the capitals leading weapon maker rivalling the Sima familys industry. Due to a fire, the Tong family dies off, leaving the daughter Tong Bik (Liza Wang) and her loyal servant Fo Seng. Her husband, Ling Fung (Adam Cheng), is suspected to have died in the fire also. Bik gives birth to a son, but out of concern for the baby, asks her servant to take him away. 20 years later, she has remarried and has a daughter, Yee (Shirley Yeung), with him, whom she loves very much. When her second husband dies, she takes over the Wong family business of transporting expensive goods. As her husband finds out her past, his last words were for her to open a weapon shop in the capital so she can fulfill her wish of revenge against the Sima family. Therefore Bik leaves for the capital with Yee, and her cousin Ho Fei (Gregory Lee). Fei has had a crush on Yee for a long time and is expected to marry Yee sooner or later.
Meanwhile, the husband Bik thought dead was actually befriended by the master-of-command of the Brocade guards, Cheung Sing. Little did he know that Cheung Sing is actually the mastermind behind the scam that eventually killed his wifes family. Working under Cheung Sing, Fung vows revenge against the Sima family, especially Sima Yi, his senior from when they were both apprentices in the Mo Dong Sect. Consequently he changes his name to Yu Man Fung and wears a mask to cover his Most Wanted secret identity.
Tong Biks daughter Yee has a naturally caring personality and often likes to help people. When she and her cousin Fei go to school, she meets the cold Mang Lui (Raymond Lam) and falls in love with him. Mang Lui has a crippled mother, who he carries around trying to find a way to cure her legs. Later, the descendant of the heavenly doctor Chun Wai (Mimi Lo) meets up with Lui and his mother and attempts to cure her. She also falls for him. However Lui only has eyes set on Yee. Unfortunately, the two cannot be together because Luis real identity is Tong Bik and Ling Fungs lost son, making him half-brother to Yee. To separate the lovers-turned-siblings, Bik allows the arrangement of Yee to marry the emperor. Yee thus hates her mother.
During the time when Bik is in the capital, shes done great damage to the Sima name, causing the emperor to kill Sima Shun, Sima Yis brother, and raiding his home, leaving his twins, Sima Siu Yiu (Carlo Ng) and Sima Ping Ting (Yeung Suet) and wife homeless and helpless. Ping Ting is a ruthless girl and after learning Mang Luis secret identity, decides to take revenge for her family. She drowns Wong Yee, stages Yees suicide for Mang Lui so the emperor will kill Mang Lui and Tong Bik. On the other hand, she also befriends the naïve Mang Lui, adding salt to his hatred for his real parents.
After a hasty reunion, Tong Bik and Ling Fung again separate. Fung is betrayed by his trusted friend Lau Sin Leung, who was actually forced by Cheung Sing to do so. She truly loves Fung and helps him survive after he turns blind.
Mang Lui, escaping death through Cheung Sing, becomes Qin Woo in the place of his father and another pawn of Cheung Sings evil scheme. Cheung Sing plants Sima Ping Ting in Mang Luis presence to act as a spy to monitor Luis every move. Lui wholeheartedly believes that Ping Ting is trustworthy, telling her everything, including the secret that Chun Wai is back at the capital. Chun Wai suspects that Ping Ting is up to something and enlists the help of Sima Siu Yiu, who secretly loves Wai. However, Ping Ting kills her twin brother and attempts to drown Chun Wai, but Mang Lui comes in time so she fools him that Wai was escaping the Brocade Guards. Wai succumbs to a coma and Ping Ting poisons her, slowly killing her.
While Lui stays in the capital, Fung and Bik plot to kill Cheung Sing, who is taking over the favour of the emperor. They save Ping Ting, who claims to be pregnant with Luis child. Ping Ting however is still not satisfied and tricks her loyal servant Chor Gau to help her with her evil acts.
After many misunderstandings and deaths Mang Lui finally realises who his friends are and that his parents really love him. Fung loses his martial arts and the emperor ask him to continue his services for the palace. Fung declines and is offered a cup of wine from the emperor. The ending scene shows Bik, with a serene face, playing the zither, and Fung walking down the stairs of the palace outskirts. Slowly, blood drips from the corners of Fungs mouth.
Character Analysis
Tong Bik/Wong Fu Yan (4/5)
played by Liza Wang (5/5)
As a veteran actress with a good reputation, Liza Wang is definitely up to her usual standards. This role of the strong female lead is nothing new to Liza Wang, which is a bit redundant, but she plays it so well! The expressions (and there are tons of them) are all flawless. In character portrayal, I look for naturalness and Liza is as natural as ever! Its so real that the audience can feel her presence next to you.
The character of Tong Bik, however is quite flawed. Looking for revenge, she cares for nothing else. Because of her determined mindset for revenge, numerous lives and misunderstandings cause both her children to hate her. Later she redeems herself by being willing to die for those close to her. She also learns her lesson and begs Mang Lui to not follow in her footsteps in terms of revenge.
Ling Fung/Yu Man Fung (4.5/5)
Played by Adam Cheng (9.5/10) (different scale for exceptions only!)
Also a veteran, our beloved Chau Gun almost played Ling Fungs character to perfection. He is also very expressive and his essence oozes out of him whenever present. He has that special it that makes him fit the dai hap roles really well. The only thing I feel is a drawback is some of his lines are rather monotonous when they arent supposed to be. Most of the tones are placed correctly but there are a few I cannot stand.
Ling Fungs character is very caring to those he loves and cares for, mainly speaking, his wife Tong Bik. Hes so devoted to her, its almost sickening. Thats the flaw in him. Otherwise, he is almost perfect because he cares for Sin Leung despite knowing she has betrayed him. He does not give up on his son Mang Lui even after being hurt by Lui himself. His values are straight and set and he only does what he thinks is right, no matter the consequences on himself. He thinks twice when it affects those he love, though. What a man!
Mang Lui (3/5)
Played by Raymond Lam (5/5)
I thought this role was made for Raymond. People say his acting is wooden and cold. Hey, Mang Lui is WOODEN and COLD. The angst of Mang Lui portrayed by Raymond is perfect because its so NATURAL! His smiles looked forced, just as they are supposed to be. Maybe Raymond really didnt play this character that well, but by being himself is enough. I have no idea what his personality in real life is, but his physical presence is really fitting for the character.
Talking of the character Mang Lui, I just want to slap him awake half the time. He does not realize Wong Yees love for him until he can return it. He realizes his love for Chun Wai, but hides it from her. He is fooled by Cheung Sing and Ping Ting, almost losing his life. What a FOOL! He does not learn who cares for him and who is evil. Chun Wai almost dies because of his trusting Ping Ting. He has no idea who is a friend and who is a enemy. The only good about him is that once he trusts someone, he is devoted. He would do anything to keep that person safe. Thus he is naïve as ever.
Wong Yee (2.5/5)
Played by Shirley Yeung (4/5)
I thought Shirley was a MAIN character here but she dies in the first ten episodes or so. I have to say she is rather good despite being relatively new. She has that natural down-to-earth feel, though her complexion is rather doll-like. But in "Blade Heart" her performance was above average and I even forgot about her face. She portrays the young Wong Yee well, but theres still room for improvement. Once thing I cannot stand at the beginning is her voice. Her voice is usually strong and has a metallic tone to it during her hosting shows. What happened here? Its high-pitched and whiny. I guess it kind of fit her role so I got used to it, but then she died! Her chemistry with Raymond is great in that shy way.
Wong Yee is young, reckless, and weak. The men around her want to protect her almost desperately. She can be adorable and thats what made the emperor fall for her. However her brain works one wheel at a time; she cannot put two and two together. In fact she misunderstands her mother unfairly and is quite ungrateful. Most of the time, all she cares about is Mang Lui and how they can be together. This character is definitely flawed.
Chun Wai (4/5)
Played by Mimi Lo (4.5/5)
Mimi is usually the comic relief in series and those roles fit her well. In here, she is a little comedic for very little of the time. Afterwards, she is all serious. This shows that she is a good actress and that she can accept different roles. Her troubles and problems are written all over her face! When she is happy, like the last scene when she is in with Raymond, it shows. But the happiness is not whole-hearted because thats the way its supposed to be, seeing that shes dying. The portrayal is not perfect because its lacking some of my most-wanted naturalness.
This character is pitied and loved because of her endless devotion to Mang Lui. The thing that bothers me is that at first Chun Wai is shown curing Sima Siu Yiu of his addiction, then knows nothing of medicine, then becomes the master doctor of all times! What happened? How can someone change so much, so fast? The memorable thing about her is near the ending, she says she needs to give hope to Lui to live. Because if she dies, and she was poisoned by Ping Ting, then Lui would not care for his life in order to avenge her. She does not tell Lui of her condition even if she really wants him to be there with her in her last days. The situation of her character remains unknown.
Sima Ping Ting (1/5)
Played by Yeung Suet (9.5/10) (AHEM! Another exception!)
One word to her portrayal: WONDERFUL! I mean, WOW, she can act. Her character is so there and so real. She acts so ruthless and yet can also be adorable. The evilness of Ping Ting is in her eyes. Her crying scenes are great to watch because they are so natural! The only drawback I find is her voice, or to be exact, her dubbed voice. I really want hear her real voice to feel the complete naturalness. Sometimes her voice does not fit her facial expressions, which annoys me. But she is a good actress and she is really pretty, even her lips (at first they creep me out, but they are cute after a while).
Talk about evil. Anyone who can kill her loving twin brother can just about go to Ching Shan (mental institute/prison in Hong Kong). She goes out of her way for revenge. Even after losing her child, she is still scheming to get revenge. She is totally selfish, using her mother to kill her uncle, Sima Yi. And yet she still falls for Mang Luis charms. After knowing that he does not love her, she laments about it (those eyes and those tears! So heartfelt).
Sima Siu Yiu (5/5)
Played by Carlo Ng (3/5)
Theres a reason why some actors continue to play second-rated supporting roles. Carlo overacts his extreme expressions. When he cries, he does not cry, he forces tears and delivers his lines in that weird indescribable way. He portrays his secret love for Chun Wai well though with those subtle yet longing glances her way.
This character is definitely a brother everybody craves for. Because of his sisters ruthlessness, he is afraid she will make rash decisions, so he always takes the blame and tries to redeem for it later. He truly loves his sister. Even after she turns evil, he still has hopes for her.
Ho Fei (3/5)
Played by Gregory Lee (3/5)
He actually did okay despite being a newcomer. He has really good looks, but does need to work on his acting skills. Take lessons from his father! His mad looks are not convincible. But later after Ho Fei hides with Tong Bik, he facial expressions becomes more natural. Tons of room for improvement!
This character is pretty flat. He loves Wong Yee and wants to marry her, but she loves Mang Lui. He is angry about it. Then his father does wrong and he matures. Later he helps Tong Bik and Ling Fung in little acts of favour.
Lau Sin Leung (4/5)
Played by Wong Shu Kei (3/5)
Maybe the big part is because of her annoying dubbed voice, but I really cannot stand this actress. She is one of those one-expression-at-a-time actresses. Her shocked looks are so over-acted. Her crying scenes are so forced. Basically this is the wrong actress for this part. Although she is really pretty, theres no emotion.
The character of Sin Leung is loyal to Ling Fung although he can never love her back. She is willing to die for him, and she does but Sima Yi revives her. Although Sima Yi loves her very much, her heart belongs to Fung.
Actors/Actresses I dont know worth mentioning
Cheung Sing (0.5/5)
Actor (5/5)
The actor is so good that you really hate Cheung Sing with a passion. That evil laugh, the look, the hand movements all convince the audience of the evil in Cheung Sing. He also has that feminine essence that eunuchs possess, unlike Fung Bos manly character. His mad faces are so real that I would be scared if I was one of his subjects.
He is bad to the core like Ping Ting, but he is bad on a bigger scale because he craves for ultimate power and control. He knows how to use people in the right way and manipulates bargains with them. He is truly the epitome of evil in this series.
The emperor (1/5)
Actor (2/5)
I know you cannot expect too much from a newcomer, but this was the right actor for this role except that his acting needs a lot of tweaking. He has that innocent child-emperor look, which is good. His voice is horrible and this time its his real voice. I mean, ENUNCIATE!! Its difficult to hear what he is saying at times. His facial expressions, although one expression at a time, are pretty convincing, but they are not natural.
The emperor is stupid, easily manipulated, and indecisive. I would hate to be a subject under his rule. With him, nothing gets done.
Chor Gau (3/5)
Actor (3.5/5)
Every time I look at this actor, I feel sorry for him because his face is deformed due to a serious illness. He used to be really good looking. His unattractiveness does fit the role because Chor Gau is not the most dashing guy. As an experienced actor, he fares better than most of the newcomers, but he is rather expressionless. Although the role is like that, it gets annoying after a while. No matter if he is happy or sad, he has the same face.
I really cannot stand this character because he is so unbelievably DEVOTED to Sima Ping Ting. No matter what crime she commits, what sin she makes him do, and what pain she inflicts on him, he takes it all in and asks for more! This character is unrealistic because theres a limit to every person. Enough is enough. The thing I dont get is that Chor Gau has lived with his master Sima Yi for all his life and they have a great relationship. But an order from Ping Ting gets Chor Gau to kill his beloved master without hesitation. I guess love kills all (literally).
Fo Seng (4.5/5)
Actor (2.5/5)
The voice of this actor is also dubbed, which is annoying. This actor frowns all the time, even at happy times! His smiles are okay but not natural. When its the right time, his frowns are actually really fitting which is the only reason he got to his average rating. He is correctly built for the character, but acting is not up to par.
A truly memorable character, being so devoted to his mistress. I personally think he has a secret crush on her. Eventually he dies for Tong Bik.
Mang Dai Leung (4/5)
Actress (4.5/5)
Now this is a veteran actress who always plays these secondary roles. She is really good. Ive seen her play bratty roles, gangster roles, timid roles, all great portrayals. This one is no exception. When she is mean to Mang Lui, she really shows that anger. Then her loving side is revealed and indeed her eyes are filled with love and adoration for her foster son. Great acting!
Although this character has little development, she is praiseworthy. She loves Mang Lui so much that when she becomes crippled and he carries her around in search for a cure, she changes into a cruel woman in order to drive her son away. When that doesn't work, she is again gentle and considerate to her son. It is so sweet that she buys him new shoes to propose to Wong Yee, and later when he plans to propose to Chun Wai, he remember to buy new shoes!
Kau Git (4/5)
Actor (3.5/5)
So this actor is really wooden. Blimey. At his death, Kau Git says he is not a man of many words. So, the actors portrayal is actually fitting! His eyes speak a lot for his feelings. Although he is expressionless most of the time, that was his job and the purpose of the scene! Its not easy to be expressionless and not overact at the same time!
Even after working for Cheung Sing and dealing with evil deeds, Kau Git still sees reason and saves Ling Fung twice. In the end, he commits suicides because he cannot complete his task of killing Fung.
Favorite Scenes
1. The opening one (see above). The cinematography for this scene is so great that I just have to keep watching! Its sad to say that it goes slightly downhill from here.
2. Crying scenes of Liza Wang (at the cliff with Mang Lui), Mimi Lo (I dont remember where), Raymond Lam (holding Chun Wais hand), Adam Cheng (after being stabbed by Mang Lui). Basically the sequence of crying scenes in the theme video.
3. When Mang Lui and Wong Yee separate and Bak Mo (horse) dies. Great acting, great crying, great cinematography.
4. When Ping Ting stabs Ling Fung and the scene shifts between Ping Ting, Fung, and Tong Bik in the background. WOW!
5. Chun Wai and Mang Lui both talking in front of Mang Dai Leungs grave. So passionate!
6. The students on horses chasing one another through the hills, amazing scenery! The blue gowns of the students on the green of the grass is so lovely.
7. (Im trying to think of happy scences) When Ling Fung and Tong Bik are in the rain. The love in their eyes, words, and gestures are so incredible.
8. When Wong Yee talks to Mang Lui at the temple when he is carrying stones. Although Shirleys voice is at the height of annoying here, the scene is very touching and the words she speaks linger in me.
9. This is more funny than favorite. When Sima Yi was struck by lightning, I was laughing my head off when he shook like a maniac and fell off the rooftop. This was not supposed to be a funny scene so it failed in cinematography.
10. Any scenes with Raymond and Mimi, especially nearing the end when they were scarce. They really have great on-screen chemistry.
So Whats the Point?
The main point/moral of the story is very obvious: Revenge is not sweet. It's bittersweet, meaning you have to give in order to receive. Tong Bik gave up her identity, her dignity, and most painful of all, her own son for the sake of revenge. Ling Fung also gave up his identity and dignity, and most of all his values as a human being (killing without blinking). Ping Ting gave up her family, her carefree life, and ultimately her sanity. Thus that is the biggest point of the series.
However there are some sub-morals that are just as important. Like the value of a true family. Although Mang Lui was not really Mang Dai Leung's real son, he was completely filial towards her and continued to accept her as his mother. And although Tong Bik and Ling Fung were Mang Lui's real parents, he could not feel compassion towards them because of their abandonment and betrayal towards him.
Another sub-moral is that one cannot be in the spotlight forever, no matter how hard one tries. Ling Fung was high and mighty as Yu Man Fung, but once his true identity surfaced, he was given the cold shoulder. Tong Bik and her weapon shop was what everyone was talking about for a while, but once her identity was found, she became another "Most Wanted". Ping Ting was used by Cheung Sing to monitor Mang Lui, but once Cheung Sing had no more use for her, she was sent for execution. Cheung Sing, Fung Bo, and Cheung Gui Zing fought for the favour of the emperor, Cheung Sing won, but went overboard, causing the emperor to shun him. The emperor, although at the end may have defeated Cheung Sing, he was still controlled by Cheung Sing's sidekick, the other eunuch. Thus no one can live forever in fame; you get your 10 seconds, move over for the next person.
Another sub-moral worth mentioning is the value of devotion. As I mentioned in the character analysis above, the whole lot of characters are devoted to one character or another. Why? Because everyone needs an object of infatuation. Just kidding!! Being devoted to the right person for the right reasons is perfectly fine, in fact it is rewarded. There really is no right or wrong person to be devoted to, its whether or not the devotion is returned that cannot be controlled. Tong Biks devotion to her son paid off because she was able to lead him back to the good side. Chun Wais undying love for Mang Lui is returned. Sin Leungs selfless acts for Ling Fung caused him to remember her always. However, Ling Fungs devotion to his wife was not exactly returned one for one. Even after their reunion, she avoided him and kept on hiding from him on many occasions. She did redeem herself by vowing to stay by his side and take care of him in the end. All in all, devotion is not unhealthy, it depends on your value of it and whether that person is really worth it. Lets just hope that no one else will end up like Chor Gau, whose devotion to Ping Ting led him to endless physical and emotional pain and his death by her side. He vowed that in his death, he would still protect her.
Conclusions
On acting: the leads were really great! The supporting roles are supporting characters, so by the laws of TVB filming, they cannot outshine the leads.
On the story: too long, way overdeveloped, dragging, too fast at times, too slow most of the time. It pissed me off that they have 37 episodes. Might as well have 38: its an even number so there can be another tape ($$$), more of a conclusion for Mimi and Raymond, and an explanation for Cheung Sing. I was actually not mad at the ending with Ling Fung dying, but then again, not yet dying. This gives the audience a chance to be part of the story and choose how to end his character. Its better than TVBs sudden sad endings amidst supposed happiness.
On cinematography: for the most part it was amazing, many scenes were shot at the perfect angle, and really ignite feelings from the audience. Most of it was shot on location so the settings were realistic and truly captivating.
On music: my friend said the themesong is too modern for an ancient series, maybe, but the lyrics are perfect, they sums up the plot and purpose of the series better than the story itself. The subs are all great, Adam Cheng and Liza Wang are truly multi-talented! Some people said Raymond should have sung a sub.
Overall, the series was very enjoyable, mainly because of the acting. The plot not the greatest, but the acting, settings, camera angles, songs, and even the overused morals were definitely worth my money.
TVB Official Site:
http://tvcity.tvb.com/drama/blade_heart/
A Hero Born (Legend of the Condor Heroes)Jin Yong English Translation Book 1
A Bond Undone (Legend of the Condor Heroes)Jin Yong English Translation Book 2
Reviewed by: pearls994ever
August 02, 2004