Directed by: Tsui Hark
Cast : Mark Chao as Di Renjie
Feng Shaofeng as Yuchi Zhenjin
Lin Gengxin as Shatuo Zhong
Carina Lau as Empress Wu Zetian
Ethan Juan Master Yuan Ce
Sandra Ma as Moon Water
Duration : 2 Hours 14 Minutes
It is a sequel of Young Detective Dee: Rise of Sea Monster. Set in the Tang Dynasty era, the era when Queen Wu Zhe Tian (first female emperor) tried to take government from the emperor.
For those who don't know Detective Dee, well, don't equate him with Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot. Because Dee lived in the past, the cases he faced also needed a solution with intuition beyond reasoning, involving mystical and supernatural matters, even seeming absurd. But this is what seeks the appeal of this series (for those who like the story of Chu Liu Xiang by Gu Long, I'm sure will fall in love with the character Dee).
After completing the Sea Monster case, Dee Rienjie received a high award from the emperor, besides being appointed head of the security guard bureau, Dee was awarded the Dragon Head Spear by the emperor Tang Gaozong, a stardust steel weapon, a promotion symbol to the throne. The weapons have become a new disaster. Queen Wu Zhe Tian felt threatened. To seize Dragon Head Spear, Wu Zhe Tian ordered a man named Yuchi Zhenjin who was the head of the Justice Department and adopted brother of Dee and hired 4 Mystical figures from Jianghu.
Special Effects
Well, for the size of Asian films, this film has a decent CGI effect. Fighting effects involving magic, secret weapons, and mystical beast are one of the attractions (or perhaps absurd) that might conflict with historians. Is there anything like that anyway? Well, don't think too much about it, which is certainly enough to provide its own entertainment in this film.
Unique enemy
The enemy facing Dee this time has unique and amazing abilities. Like Hu Tian, the Taoist with the ability to create illusions and magic to summon gold dragons or Night Ghosts who look like old wizards, have the ability to shapesifter and control fire (fire bending ??). well, they became equal opponents for figures as clever as Dee.
Mystical Beast
Gold Dragon? Great White Ape (yeah its not Kingkong)? Giant Ashura? Well, for those who have watched the previous film, of course they were not too surprised by the appearance of these mystical animals. But, it's totally whole new level when compared to prequel.
Overall, this film is quite entertaining and is highly recommended for fans of Wuxia, Xiaxia or anyone who like chinese historical movie. Judging from the costumes of the players and the background of the film, it was seen the director Tsui Hark was very serious in working on this film. The ending of the story seemed to be a question, what would become the next queen's plan in seizing the Tang Dynasty power?
Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day!