Today I watched: The Legend of Hei

[fitia]

I found out about this movie through Tumblr gifs on my dashboard, which is always a fun way to find new stuff to watch! It's been on my watchlist for a while now, and I only just managed to sit down and get to it properly because my free time coincided with a mood for some animated fun.

Most prominent thing about it is that it's such a feast for the eyes! Gorgeous, gorgeous art used in the backgrounds -- the first comparison that comes to mind is Ghibli, but I felt that this movie had more of a storybook feel to it -- and impressive animation! I really loved how varied and dynamic the composition for the action felt, it made for a very immersive experience. I really wish this had been something I'd gotten to see in theatres, my laptop screen did not do it justice.

The character art is also very charming, I love that more round, cartoony anime-esque style.

Story-wise, I only learned after I'd finished the movie that it was a prequel for an animated series, which definitely explained why I felt like I was missing a lot, haha. But while I wasn't able to emotionally connect to the events as much as I should've, there was still a lot to like in Wu Xian and Hei's dynamic! Loved the clashing between the former's dry, cold, inflexible self and Hei's rowdy childishness, and it was really sweet to watch them eventually find common ground. Aside from that, the rest of the story is garden variety Us vs Them stuff, and didn't really stick with me. Feng Xi as an antagonist was mostly interesting for his powers, which are pretty cool! Loved the visuals of his wood bending, it reminded me a lot of [girl who's only watched Naruto voice] the Mokuton and what I find cool about that.

This was my first time dipping my toes into Chinese animation, and it was a really good first experience! I'm inclined to watch the sequel that came out last year.

Comments

[elyusion]

How! Did! I! Miss! This! I'm glad you liked it!! I definitely think you should watch the sequel, even if you don't like the story still I think the animation is just fun to see :3 When I decided to see what Letterboxd thought of it, like half of the comments were calling it colonialist so I was half-expecting your review to say the same, but I see you didn't think that about it/maybe didn't connect with the story enough to think much of anything. I know I owe it yet another rewatch to see if it's really that way or not... You'd probably at least have thoughts on how the sequel ends though xD That was undeniably political.

[fitia]

I really really do want to take a look at the sequel soon, if only for the animation and Also the fact that there's this really cool female character that shows up as part of the main cast now!

As for colonialist themes... you know I Could see where people are coming from on that end, but yeah I just didn't have strong enough opinions on the story plot-wise to want to get into its politics! Also because I'm really unfamiliar with the Chinese context on that end, which I believe would be important to know before I start making any broad claims, haha.

I'm really curious about the second movie's ending now though 👀