Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 370, 368: The Sword Trial at Mount Shu

In late September, the capital city was blessed with clear skies and crisp autumn air.

However, the atmosphere within the film and television industry seemed somewhat stagnant and restless due to Tsai Yi-nong's "four points for cooperation".

Hong Kong filmmakers are still processing those almost harsh conditions, weighing the gains and losses between dignity and the market.

However, the gears of capital will not stop turning because of individual hesitation.

Amidst this undercurrent of tension, the promotional and distribution campaign for "The Legend of Shushan," the first project in collaboration between Shengying Media and Xu Ke, has quietly begun in mainland China, unfolding in a manner consistent with "Shengying's rules."

Since "The Legend of Zu" was released in Hong Kong Island in early August and suffered a box office flop, coupled with the fact that pirated VCDs/DVDs had already entered the mainland market through various channels, market expectations were generally low.

Sheng Ying Media's internal assessment also concluded that it was highly unlikely that this film could replicate the box office miracle of "Shaolin Soccer." Its strategic significance lay more in "training" and "testing the waters"—testing the control over Hong Kong film projects and verifying the market response of this type of visual fantasy blockbuster in mainland cinemas, especially under the emerging "China Film Shengshi Cinema" system.

Therefore, the publicity and distribution strategy was precisely adjusted.

Large-scale advertising campaigns were kept within a certain budget, with the core of the promotion focused on one point: "A visual spectacle of special effects in the history of Chinese cinema, an oriental fantasy visual wonder."

Newspaper entertainment sections, emerging online forums, and street posters are filled with promotional slogans such as "Xu Ke's Peak Visual Effects," "Exhausting Efforts to Create a Magnificent Shu Mountain," and "Three Thousand Special Effects Shots Usher in a New Era of Xianxia."

The trailer was meticulously edited, highlighting the most visually striking scenes such as Xuan Tianzong wielding the Moon Golden Wheel, Dan Chenzi's Heavenly Demon Wings unfolding, and Li Yingqi flying on his sword. It was played on a loop in entertainment news programs on television and in some cinema advertisements.

However, what truly stirred up a storm among movie fans and industry insiders was a short review that Wang Sheng published in his personal column in the China Film News three days before the mainland release of "The Legend of Zu".

The article's title is quite straightforward: "Shushan: A Visual Effects Adventure Worthy of Respect".

Wang Sheng did not simply praise the author in his article; instead, he appeared quite objective, even with a touch of detached calm.

"Director Tsui Hark's 'The Legend of Zu' is undoubtedly an ambitious work."

He attempted to use cutting-edge film special effects technology to construct a fantastical and whimsical world of Eastern fantasy, filled with swordplay and chivalry, as he envisioned it.

This attempt itself is commendable and respectable within the realm of Chinese-language cinema.

"The film's special effects, whether it's the dazzling magic weapons or the characters' flying and escaping postures, have reached a new height in terms of density and quality for Chinese-language films."

Especially in constructing the core image of 'Shushan,' the use of CG technology truly creates a grandeur and ethereal quality that differs from traditional live-action filming.

The writing style then shifted abruptly:
"Of course, it must also be pointed out that the film may have made some sacrifices in terms of narrative rhythm and the development of characters' emotions in order to serve the presentation of visual spectacle."

The plot progresses quickly, and the relationships between characters are somewhat disjointed; viewers unfamiliar with the original work may require some effort to understand.

Finally, he offered a highly insightful piece of consumer advice:

"So, my personal opinion on 'The Legend of Zu' is: if you are interested in the development of special effects in Chinese films and want to experience a pure, Eastern fantasy audio-visual feast on the big screen, then this movie is worth going to the cinema for, especially in a giant screen theater with better sound and screen conditions."

The energy fluctuations from the clash of magical artifacts, the sharp, piercing feel of sword energy cutting through the air—these are something that home theaters and pirated DVDs can never replicate, not even a fraction of what they offer.

"(However, a friendly reminder: tickets for the IMAX theater are quite expensive, estimated to be around fifty yuan. Please consider your budget before purchasing.)"

The audiovisual experience in regular theaters will be somewhat diminished, but it will still be superior to most films of the same type.
As for the story… let’s lower our expectations and focus on this visual 'adventure'.”

This film review, seemingly neutral, actually contains hidden meanings in every sentence.

It not only acknowledged the efforts of Xu Ke and the special effects team, giving them ample recognition, but also cleverly shifted the audience's expectations from "classic narrative" to "visual spectacle," and precisely laid the groundwork for the high-priced IMAX theater.

With the added value of "Wang Sheng's certification" and the box office success of "Shaolin Soccer" reaching 200 million yuan, its prestige is now considerable.

Many hesitant viewers, especially young movie fans interested in special effects, made up their minds to watch the movie because of this article.

……

2001 10 Month 1 Day.

The capital city and even the whole country are immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the long holiday.

Tourist attractions are packed with people, and the newly emerging consumer venues—modern multiplex cinemas—are also experiencing another wave of movie-watching frenzy.

Lin Xiaoyue, a student in Beijing, and her boyfriend Zhang Heng had planned their holiday well in advance. They originally wanted to travel to other places, but the thought of the spectacular crowds at tourist attractions made them back out.

Having already visited most of the attractions around Beijing, the two decided to make watching a movie the highlight of their date.

"How was 'The Legend of Zu'?" Zhang Heng asked, holding up the Beijing Youth Daily and pointing to the advertisement and reprinted film review by Wang Sheng in the entertainment section. "Wang Sheng said the special effects were amazing and suggested watching it in a giant screen theater. We haven't seen a movie in a giant screen theater yet."

Lin Xiaoyue wasn't particularly interested in fantasy-themed films, but she was somewhat intrigued by the descriptions of "giant screen theater" and "audiovisual feast."

She recalled the pleasant experience of watching "Flying Colors" and "Shaolin Soccer" and had a natural affinity for movies produced by the "Shengying Group".

"Fifty yuan a ticket...that's so expensive." Lin Xiaoyue looked at the ticket price and clicked her tongue in surprise. That's almost twice the price of a regular ticket.

“It’s the National Day Golden Week, so let’s splurge a little once in a while,” Zhang Heng persuaded. “Wang Sheng said that the movie is all about the effects, and the regular theaters aren’t up to par. Let’s experience some ‘high-end’ consumption.”

Ultimately, their curiosity about the unknown audiovisual experience overcame their reluctance to pay the ticket price, and the two chose a "China Film Grand Cinema" located in the core business district of Beijing, and bought two tickets for the IMAX theater of "The Legend of Zu" that evening.

The cinema was packed with people, and the festive atmosphere was strong.

The huge electronic display screen scrolled through the screening schedules of various films.

As a newly released special effects blockbuster, "The Legend of Zu" received preferential treatment from Wang Sheng within the China Film Group Corporation's cinema chain system. All cinemas' regular screens were given an average initial screening rate of 30%, while the "giant screen" screens, which each cinema only had one or two of, which were box office powerhouses, were almost entirely allocated to "The Legend of Zu" during prime time.

Upon entering the giant screen hall after having their tickets checked, Lin Xiaoyue and Zhang Heng were immediately awestruck by its scale.

The perfectly angled tiered seating, the enormous curved screen that almost fills the entire field of vision, and the faintly visible sound-absorbing holes in the walls all foreshadow a movie-watching experience unlike any other.

The lights dimmed, the dragon logo appeared, followed by a joint opening sequence from Shengying Media and Xu Ke Film Studio.

When the film begins, the Blood Demon of the Netherworld attacks Kunlun Mountain, and Xuan Tianzong (played by Ekin Cheng) and Master Guyue (played by Cecilia Cheung) fight back. The dazzling light of magical weapons and the impact of energy, amplified by the giant screen and surround sound, come rushing towards us, and a low gasp of amazement echoes throughout the theater.

Lin Xiaoyue subconsciously tightened her grip on Zhang Heng's hand.

The buzzing of the golden moon cutting through the air, the dull thud of the blood demon's tentacles striking the mountain, seemed to be happening right before my eyes.

On the giant screen, the scene of Master Guyue transforming into countless lotus petals as he shattered was breathtakingly beautiful.

As the plot unfolds, a series of imaginative special effects scenes follow one after another: the sea of ​​clouds over Mount Emei, the ascension of Master Bai Mei (played by Hung Kam-po), the combined power of the Heavenly Thunder Twin Swords, and Dan Chenzi (played by Louis Koo) being trapped in a blood cave and undergoing mutation.

Especially in the giant screen hall, one can feel the vastness of the universe and the magnificent momentum of the ever-changing sword energy.

When Li Yingqi (played by Zhang Ziyi) flew on his sword, his figure drew a beautiful arc on the huge screen, as if he was really about to break out of the screen, causing many viewers to lean back slightly.

"The effect... is really amazing." Zhang Heng whispered in Lin Xiaoyue's ear, "Fifty yuan, I feel it's worth it!"

Lin Xiaoyue was also immersed in this audiovisual impact.

Although, as Wang Sheng's film review pointed out, she did feel somewhat disjointed and confused by the plot and character relationships, such as the emotional entanglements between Xuan Tianzong, Gu Yue, and Li Yingqi, which seemed a bit rushed, the narrative flaws seemed to become tolerable when the magnificent and bizarre world of immortals and heroes was presented to her in such a direct and intense way.

This is indeed more like a "visual adventure".

As the film ended and the theater lights came on, many audience members wore expressions of satisfaction and enthusiastic discussion.

"The fight was so cool! That Sun and Moon Golden Wheel!"

"The visuals are truly beautiful, but I don't quite understand why they had to combine them..."

"Worth every penny! The special effects alone are worth it!"

"As expected of Xu Ke, he has a truly imaginative mind."

Lin Xiaoyue and Zhang Heng walked out of the theater with the crowd, surrounded by similar comments.

Clearly, for the audience who chose the IMAX theater, they largely got what they wanted—an ultimate audiovisual experience. Whether the story was perfect became a secondary issue.

(End of this chapter)