16 replies to this topic

[JohnD]

Just trying to get a discussion going on the genre. What do you like and dislike about wuxia? Do you prefer wuxia novels or TV shows?

[mohistManiac]

I quite like the wuxia of the Jianghu nature. I don't like wuxia which feature too heavily a supernatural nature. All wuxia hails from the time Sima Qian penned the great exploits of Jing Ke who tried to assassinate Qin Shi Huang Di and failed.

[JohnD]

I quite like the wuxia of the Jianghu nature. I don't like wuxia which feature too heavily a supernatural nature. All wuxia hails from the time Sima Qian penned the great exploits of Jing Ke who tried to assassinate Qin Shi Huang Di and failed.

I prefer the more, I guess, realistic wuxia as well, such as the first half of Shui hu zhuan, thought I like some of Jin Yong's stuff as well. I'm just now getting into Gu Long, so I don't have an opinion on him yet. It is a shame that when I go to the bookstore here in Taiwan, basically they only have works by Jin Yong and Gu Long, as if these were the only two writing wuxia. It's especially sad since one is dead and the other stopped writing over 30 years ago.

[Yeleixingfeng]

I wonder, how do people feel of supernatural Wuxia? One example would be Avatar: The Last Airbender. (Please, talking about the cartoon here.) Because I am writing a such Wuxia, and hope to know how readers percept it. Thanks.

[WuXiaHer0]

I find wuxia-related stuff supernatural. I like Avatar (the cartoon). I used to watch the episodes on weekdays.

I prefer watching wuxia movies. It's very exciting. In a way, watching wuxia movies remind me to get away from the telly and start practicing on my Wushu forms.

[mohistManiac]

The only supernatural epic I would anticipate watching is if they made a super cool movie showing the exploits of Monkey King and the other three in Journey to the West. I'd want to see extra wirefu in that one.

[Gan]

I think wuxia is awesome, whether it's based on something historical or something fiction.

If you all think about it, some non-Asian entertainment shows could be considered as Wuxia.

Like Sons of Anarchy. It's a T.V. show about an American Biker gang. Lots of drama, twists, very complex plots, etc. If you all know this show, think about this; all you have to do is replace the setting with more Chinese themes, the stories and characters itself would be no different than a typical wuxia story. (without the supernatural stuff).

[ghostexorcist]

I prefer the more, I guess, realistic wuxia as well, such as the first half of Shui hu zhuan, thought I like some of Jin Yong's stuff as well. I'm just now getting into Gu Long, so I don't have an opinion on him yet. It is a shame that when I go to the bookstore here in Taiwan, basically they only have works by Jin Yong and Gu Long, as if these were the only two writing wuxia. It's especially sad since one is dead and the other stopped writing over 30 years ago.

I am the same way. I guess that is why I did not like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as much as other people did. Too much flying around and not enough reality-based fighting. (Before any one comments on my dislike of the characters' "flying," I am fully aware of the Chinese concept of making the body lighter through internal practice. Having a lighter body would allow someone to jump farther. However, the movie over did it.)

My book The Chinese Knight Errant by James J.Y. Liu spends a great deal of time on Wuxia literature mentioning warriors with supernatural skills, but he only devotes a few paragraphs to those with great strength or boxing ability.

The only supernatural epic I would anticipate watching is if they made a super cool movie showing the exploits of Monkey King and the other three in Journey to the West. I'd want to see extra wirefu in that one.

http://www.china.org...nt_20621106.htm

Action star Donnie Yen will play the lead role in an IMAX 3-D fantasy film called "The Monkey King". Preparation for the project is underway in Beijing, Sina.com.cn reports.

Inspired by the classic epic novel "Journey to the West", the movie tells of the Monkey King's several adventures before he embarks on the journey escorting monk Xuanzang to the west.

Working on a budget of 300 million yuan (US$44.3 million), distributors of the film want to make it a monumental work.

Cheang Pou-Soi will direct the film. Other cast members are yet to be announced.

Filming is set to begin in October.

I hope Donnie does a good job.

They have plenty of live-action TV shows on this already. I honestly would like to see a CGI Monkey King. He is a monkey after all. There is no reason to portray him like a man with a tail. What I mean by that is:

Less metro-sexual ...



more monkey ...



It is not his looks that make him powerful, it is his great strength, fighting ability, and command of magic. Even if he is the size of a real life monkey, he can grow to be the size of a mountain, so fighting a larger opponent wouldn't be a problem.

I think Stephen Chow did a decent job as Sun Wukong. I'm not sure if you have ever seen it or not, but the A Chinese Odyssey film series has plenty of wire-fu wuxia action in it. Here is a scene from the second movie. Don't bother following the subtitles if you can't understand Cantonese, they don't match up with the audio at all.

Edited by ghostexorcist, 26 September 2010 - 10:18 PM.

[mohistManiac]

Less metro-sexual ...



more monkey ...



It is not his looks that make him powerful, it is his great strength, fighting ability, and command of magic. Even if he is the size of a real life monkey, he can grow to be the size of a mountain, so fighting a larger opponent wouldn't be a problem.

I thought Planet of the Apes the new remake was extremely well done (some may argue that the script wasn't as well written) but they should consult the guys who made that movie so the effect of being a man intelligent monkey gets through to the audience.

[JohnD]

I can't imagine Donnie Yen playing Sun Wukong. Though he did well in the Ip Man movies, in everything else I've seen him in, he's just not a good actor; too self-conscious of his coolness and too over-the-top. I don't know, it might be good though; we'll see. I don't consider Journey to the West wuxia, though.

[JohnD]

I am the same way. I guess that is why I did not like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as much as other people did. Too much flying around and not enough reality-based fighting. (Before any one comments on my dislike of the characters' "flying," I am fully aware of the Chinese concept of making the body lighter through internal practice. Having a lighter body would allow someone to jump farther. However, the movie over did it.)

I don't hate that kind of stuff, but it does get a bit silly at times. But that "lightness" kung fu is very common in wuxia, especially the TV dramas. Then again, exaggerating the qinggong and neigong techniques is part of what makes wuxia such a unique genre.

[Dulahan]

I love Wuxia. Even reading it. At least what I can get a hold of in translation. I'm especially a fan of Jin Yong.

Visually, I'm not a huge fan of the modern trope of lots of CGI on the TV series. I prefer more straight up Swordplay with only wirework for special effects. Faster and more fun the fights the better.

[HappyHistorian]

Wuxia is an interesting genre, I like it, but to be honest it is not my most favourite genre of Chinese film and literature. I like the action and adventure of wuxia fiction. Wuxia by virtue of its innate characteristics is supernatural and magical. I don't like some wuxia films, because it is highly divorced from reality, such as the outrageous plots, magic tricks or supernatural feats. I also find many wuxia films superficial and tacky. Nonetheless, the world of jianghu transports the reader/viewer into a celestial realm of magicians, pugilists, princes and thieves. Many westerners would acquaint China with wuxia and martial artists, such as Bruce Lee and Monkey. One of my favourite wuxia films is the House of Flying Daggers. It is not the stereotypical wuxia film that is filled with supernatural elements and aimed at wowing the audience with ostentatious stunts. Rather, it is also a romance and a drama filled with intrigue and suspense.

[JohnD]

Wuxia is an interesting genre, I like it, but to be honest it is not my most favourite genre of Chinese film and literature. I like the action and adventure of wuxia fiction. Wuxia by virtue of its innate characteristics is supernatural and magical. I don't like some wuxia films, because it is highly divorced from reality, such as the outrageous plots, magic tricks or supernatural feats. I also find many wuxia films superficial and tacky. Nonetheless, the world of jianghu transports the reader/viewer into a celestial realm of magicians, pugilists, princes and thieves. Many westerners would acquaint China with wuxia and martial artists, such as Bruce Lee and Monkey. One of my favourite wuxia films is the House of Flying Daggers. It is not the stereotypical wuxia film that is filled with supernatural elements and aimed at wowing the audience with ostentatious stunts. Rather, it is also a romance and a drama filled with intrigue and suspense.

House of Flying Daggers is one of my favorites as well. The new Reign of Assassins movie is good as well, for similar reasons. The characters take precedence over the spectacle.

[aquarius]

.

Hi HappyHistorian, very good post, you hit the nail.

Wuxia is an interesting genre, I like it, but to be honest it is not my most favourite genre of Chinese film and literature. I like the action and adventure of wuxia fiction. Wuxia by virtue of its innate characteristics is supernatural and magical. I don't like some wuxia films, because it is highly divorced from reality, such as the outrageous plots, magic tricks or supernatural feats. I also find many wuxia films superficial and tacky. Nonetheless, the world of jianghu transports the reader/viewer into a celestial realm of magicians, pugilists, princes and thieves. Many westerners would acquaint China with wuxia and martial artists, such as Bruce Lee and Monkey. One of my favourite wuxia films is the House of Flying Daggers. It is not the stereotypical wuxia film that is filled with supernatural elements and aimed at wowing the audience with ostentatious stunts. Rather, it is also a romance and a drama filled with intrigue and suspense.

Edited by aquarius, 26 December 2010 - 04:15 AM.