Sword of the Dragon 1: When the Dragon Returns to Its Nest, but the Soul Remains Distant

When the long-awaited wuxia legend returns with a new adaptation in 2022, Sword of the Dragon 1 (倚天屠龍記之九陽神功) brings together big-name stars like Donnie Yen, Louis Koo, Lin Feng, and Yunzhong Yunshan to showcase their skills. But why does it fail to impress as expected? Our editorial team will take you through every aspect of this film, from the familiar storyline to the new interpretation that may not sit well with hardcore fans.

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

Zhang Wuji (played by Lin Feng) grows up on Ice Fire Island under the care of Xie Xun (Xu Jinjiang), who wields the Dragon Slaying Saber. After losing his parents due to pressure from the martial world, he trains in martial arts until he masters the Nine Yang Technique. After 17 years, Zhang Wuji returns to the mainland to seek revenge amidst the battle for the saber and sword that leads to a major conflict. Along the way, he meets three women who play important roles in his life: Zhao Min (Yunzhong Yunshan), a clever Mongol princess; Zhou Zhiruo (Qiu Yining), a strict disciple of the Emei Sect; and Xiao Zhao (Yun Qianqian), a loyal maid.

Acting and Characters

The main selling point of the film is the gathering of famous actors, but it becomes its biggest weakness. Donnie Yen plays Zhang Sanfeng, who is fierce but has limited screen time. Louis Koo as Zhang Cuishan appears briefly and leaves little impression. Meanwhile, Lin Feng as Zhang Wuji feels stiff and lacks the charisma expected of a wuxia hero. Yunzhong Yunshan as Zhao Min performs decently but cannot salvage a poorly written role with little depth. Other characters like Zhou Zhiruo and Xiao Zhao are reduced to insignificance. Overall, the acting feels like actors merely passing through scenes without embodying their characters.

Direction, Cinematography, and Music

Director Venus Keung attempts to create a grand scale with spectacular production. Action scenes are designed to be thrilling with Wire-Fu and CGI, which, though not Hollywood-level, are decent for a Chinese film. However, the editing lacks rhythm, making fight scenes that should be exciting feel choppy and unfluid. The cinematography uses a dark, gloomy tone throughout, fitting the atmosphere but making the film feel dull and boring. The soundtrack uses classic melodies from the novel but rearranges them unremarkably, failing to enhance the emotion of key scenes.

Editorial Analysis

Sword of the Dragon 1 tries to tell Zhang Wuji's story in a concise and rushed manner, but it undermines the weight of character relationships. The protagonist's decisions in the film seem unreasonable due to a lack of emotional groundwork. Fans of the original novel will notice several changes, such as expanding Xie Xun's role or condensing Zhang Wuji's childhood, which may confuse those unfamiliar with the original story. Moreover, the film ends with a 'to be continued' cliffhanger, frustrating viewers expecting a self-contained story. Our editorial team sees this film as an example of 'a remake that copies the shell but not the essence' – it has a beautiful exterior but lacks the true spirit of wuxia.

Verdict

In conclusion, Sword of the Dragon 1 is a watchable film if you don't expect too much, but it's not a memorable work. If you are a die-hard wuxia fan or expect a deep interpretation, it's better to skip it, as this film is merely a 'paper dragon' that looks grand but lacks soul.