Playing Ep 03

What people are saying

• grumpyjaws25

  Overall 8.5

  Story 7.5,  Acting 9.5,  Music 7,  Rewatch Value 9

  In an imaginative re-envisioning of a time-honored Chinese epic, the series at hand offers a vibrant alternative to its literary counterpart. Distinct in its own right, it retains the captivating essence that has cemented the novel as a seminal work, while presenting an array of intricacies absent in the original. Where once allegorical beings that embodied ideals graced the pages with limited growth, the screenwriters have masterfully fleshed out the characters, spinning rich narratives of friendship, history, and heart-stirring romance that render Sun Wu Kong...

  and his fellows far more resonant to a contemporary audience.
  
  The performances deserve commendation, with Dicky Cheung delivering what might be the defining role of his career. His portrayal of the trickster Sun Wu Kong is peppered with both modern flair and a distinctive verve – an embodiment characterized by his stylized gestures, infectious catchphrases, and a signature "Yo!" that ensures every appearance is memorable. His eyes sparkle with the requisite mischief, and his movements are the perfect blend of vigor and agility. Most commendable, however, is his calibrated performance, never straying into the realm of excess.
  
  Equally impressive is Wayne Lai, an actor whose chameleonic talents seem boundless, masterfully oscillating between drama, humor, and outlandish farce within a single scene. His Zhu Ba Jie is at once self-serving and wistfully romantic, bringing warmth and unexpected likability to a character often received with disdain.
  
  Together with Evergreen Mak, this trio forms a comedic alliance that electrifies each scene, with Kong Wah providing the pitch-perfect counterbalance as their no-nonsense leader. Despite not being an exact physical match for San Zang, Kong Wah presents a version of the character that is both competent and inspiring, adeptly resolving conflicts with wit rather than brawn, thereby nodding subtly to Buddhist teachings amidst a narrative not predominantly focused on spiritual enlightenment.
  
  Yet, the storytelling is not without its flaws, as the narrative thread occasionally frays, leaving gaping incongruities that challenge the suspension of disbelief. Moments where characters' life cycles seem disjointed point to a need for more meticulous continuity.
  
  This show, however, has its delightful secrets, like hidden gems of nostalgia that hark back to the halcyon days. An enchanting Easter egg emerges as San Zang, on a quest, encounters a melody harped by a celestial being – a melody fans might recognize as the soundtrack of a classic show, starring Angie Chiu, which once unfurled the backstory of an iconic goddess. Moments like these fondly remind us of the rich tapestry of television's bygone eras, a reminder of a breed of series that resonates through time.