This movie doesn't waste much time with overly complex story, dialogue or character building. It's an action movie with a fair share of Martial Arts and Wuxia and it means business. Don't expect a Zhang Yimou level cinematography, but switch off your brain and expect to be decently entertained.
78 Reviews
A very entertaining 'historical' fantasy
tenshi_ippikiookami25 July 2020
A world of warriors, political intrigue, monsters and gigantic scorpions (no, this is not "Clash of the Titans"), "Double World", based on a video game (some aspects of which can be reflected in the movie), is a very entertaining, even if simplistic, affair, a typical, heroes meet, heroes fight the bad ones, but with surprising depth for this kind of movies. The characters, the strong one, the cheerful one, the 'rising-from-the-bottom' one, etc., etc., are charicatures, but they are very well done charicatures and it is a treat to spend the lenght of the movie with them. And the plot... well, whatever you want to call it, is silly as they come, but it is not boring, a hypermusculated hero quest. It all becomes a little bit bloated, but never overstays its welcome. Worth trying.
Double World
CinemaSerf4 November 2022
An oft trod tale of gallantry and heroism - this time given an Oriental scenario as "Dong YiLong" (Henry Lau) and his gang of compatriots compete against nine other warriors in the ultimate, deadly, contest of skill and strategy organised by a neighbouring warlord with an agenda of his own. Actually, as fantasy adventure films go, it is pretty complete: handsome hero, mythical beasties; sword fights; martial arts before a predictable ending. Don't expect anything at all sophisticated here: the effects are straight out of a video game and the dialogue is minimalist but the action scenes redeem it somewhat, and for 2 hours of mindless fun you could do a heck of a lot worse.
What rubbish...no wait...it was ok
studleymoore2027-177-11018626 July 2020
Such a topsy turvy film you are likely never to come across. If people say give it a chance bit a film was this terrible in the first 20 minutes then no one would blame you for turning off. The CGI is woeful and the acting ain't much better but....but....let the film keep going...let yourself get involved in it's less than stellar appearance and you will be rewarded by the end. The CGI gets better, the story gets better and the acting gets better. It's definitely never going to reach the levels of greatness but if you sit through it you will be pleasantly pleased.
Chinese fantasy with good action
waterman197621 December 2020
Growing up with a chinese friend, I watched a decent amount of chinese movies, so this movie took me back to my youth. There's something very appealing in this movie: beautiful costumes, a light comedic undertone, good fighting choreography and some well placed, almost horrorstyle, violence. It's pretty rough to be honest. The story is fairly simple, the script makes some sudden jumps, but this isn't what makes or breaks the movie. It's a fantasy tale of a becoming hero and his friends who are met along the heroes journey. Very entertaining to watch and I rated this just a 7, because of the poorly written script. But maybe chinese doesn't translate itself well to english subs.
Unusual Chinese film
ks-6050025 July 2020
wait it gets so many 10/10, hold my beer...
dwiimor23 August 2020
Story: Basically same as many other fantasy movies, nothing new...
Character development: is present for some of the characters, but some people that they portray to be important never really get resolved and just disappear..its confusing
CGI et etc: its good for chinese production
Overall: it started well and was interesting about halfway in until the story started to get confusing when things happening without proper explanation..its ok entertainment but definately not 10/10 like many reviews here say, they must have very low standards
Overall: it started well and was interesting about halfway in until the story started to get confusing when things happening without proper explanation..its ok entertainment but definately not 10/10 like many reviews here say, they must have very low standards
Plot holes galore but still worth watching
thabzzl8 August 2020
It's not a perfect film at all and there are lots of moments that'll have you scratching your head and sometimes the acting can be a bit weird. That being said, it's very entertaining.
There are plenty of well choreographed, cool looking fights, a few plot twists that you might not see coming and the villain's plot isn't completely ridiculous. He's been planning this all for years and he almost gets away with it too.
All in all a good film to watch on a Saturday night for fans of kung Fu and fantasy.
There are plenty of well choreographed, cool looking fights, a few plot twists that you might not see coming and the villain's plot isn't completely ridiculous. He's been planning this all for years and he almost gets away with it too.
All in all a good film to watch on a Saturday night for fans of kung Fu and fantasy.
Decent watch.
evang-161877 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie genuinely started out really well. It had all the makings of a really good coming of age/underdog/zero to hero potential. The movie starts out with the backdrop of political tension and the desire for power, and one country's decision to prepare against its neighbor's impending invasion. Really cool!
The film is wonderfully cast, and there isn't ever any moment where you think, "someone else should have played XYZ". The actors were superb in mastering their roles and bringing their characters to life. Also, cinematographers did phenomenal.
My complaints come in where I left off at the beginning. There was a lot of potential and not enough commitment. This film was jumbled with what seemed to be too many elements for what it was actually able to show and progress well.
For example, we are roughly introduced to a lady in a blue cloak twice in the first 30 minutes of the movie. She is ominous and is clearly supposed to pique our interest. However, she does not make her big reveal until the last 30 minutes where she unloads what would have been the most important information of the movie that Yilong is a prince of Northern Yan. This itself would have needed an entire movie to flesh out, and the "reveal" and lack of follow up shows either a hope for a sequel or poor story telling.
Only one of several instances, this film does not commit fully to a lot of them elements it introduces. Like, if the Grand Tutor really was a spy/assassin, what exactly would he need to even have the tournament? It is explained that he did this to ruin the morale of the clans, however, it just seems like too much just to kill the king. Especially since he is often with the king.
Oh. And all the women of substance get killed off right when you think they were about to show their importance to the plot.
The film is wonderfully cast, and there isn't ever any moment where you think, "someone else should have played XYZ". The actors were superb in mastering their roles and bringing their characters to life. Also, cinematographers did phenomenal.
My complaints come in where I left off at the beginning. There was a lot of potential and not enough commitment. This film was jumbled with what seemed to be too many elements for what it was actually able to show and progress well.
For example, we are roughly introduced to a lady in a blue cloak twice in the first 30 minutes of the movie. She is ominous and is clearly supposed to pique our interest. However, she does not make her big reveal until the last 30 minutes where she unloads what would have been the most important information of the movie that Yilong is a prince of Northern Yan. This itself would have needed an entire movie to flesh out, and the "reveal" and lack of follow up shows either a hope for a sequel or poor story telling.
Only one of several instances, this film does not commit fully to a lot of them elements it introduces. Like, if the Grand Tutor really was a spy/assassin, what exactly would he need to even have the tournament? It is explained that he did this to ruin the morale of the clans, however, it just seems like too much just to kill the king. Especially since he is often with the king.
Oh. And all the women of substance get killed off right when you think they were about to show their importance to the plot.
Worth the watch
q-vankesteren25 July 2020
I'm not used to chinese movies. I saw this and thought should give it a try. At first the plot seems basic, unaware of the rpg background of the movie. Even though it has a few plot wholes or inconsistencies, it is full of surprises.
The CGI and the fighting scenes do make up for it.
Recommended
Harmless Fun
MickeyTheConstant1 December 2020
OK acting & CGI but the writing should be better.
girlwolf32111 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Plot:
A southern king is attacked by rivals from the north. He authorizes a competition organized by the Grand Tutor where members of each clan sends 3 representatives to fight to become the Grand Marshal, the head of the army.
Review (spoilers below): Women in this film serve as no more than plot devices for the men, each one dies only to further the plot of the men around her. Their deaths lack any sort of agency.
After Don Yilong figures out that he is a northern prince, the story disregards that important piece and it isn't used at all in the final showdown. He doesn't reveal himself to the northern troops to stop the slaughter nor does he attempt to negotiate with the southern king. After he fights and saves the king it's like his friendship with Chu Hun means nothing as they mention they will be on opposing sides from now on. That's a waste of the camaraderie they developed throughout the movie.
Review (spoilers below): Women in this film serve as no more than plot devices for the men, each one dies only to further the plot of the men around her. Their deaths lack any sort of agency.
After Don Yilong figures out that he is a northern prince, the story disregards that important piece and it isn't used at all in the final showdown. He doesn't reveal himself to the northern troops to stop the slaughter nor does he attempt to negotiate with the southern king. After he fights and saves the king it's like his friendship with Chu Hun means nothing as they mention they will be on opposing sides from now on. That's a waste of the camaraderie they developed throughout the movie.
Enjoyable
angel-soha4 June 2021
The backdrop is Hero
ersbel30 July 2020
The backdrop is Hero.
Than there is Lord of the Rings. And some Star Wars. And Hunger Games. Anything they could mix and match. Bad script compensated by special effects and so and so sword fight ballet. Rather annoying.
Than there is Lord of the Rings. And some Star Wars. And Hunger Games. Anything they could mix and match. Bad script compensated by special effects and so and so sword fight ballet. Rather annoying.
Sadly, no place for love here ! Only war and patriotism :(
morrowind_2428 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In this movie there was no love shown for women, only war, respect maybe and patriotism. If hollywood thought me that love is all what matters than this one is the oposite. I don't understand why would you do a movie like this if love doesn't prevail. Feels like propaganda for war ! For this i cant rate the movie more than 6 stars . I felt like something was missing at the end . All i needed was a little love and there was nothing !
Chinese Hunger Games
luisgus-7226831 August 2021
Its like the first hunger games movie but with a lot more plot, CGI, and a lot more acrobatic stunts.
I wanted more action and fighting but instead got more story and character development that did not really add that much to the ending.
I wanted more action and fighting but instead got more story and character development that did not really add that much to the ending.
I see what they tried, but the failed sadly enough hard
hikaynak1 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In this film, you can see what the director tries to achieve, after I have some experience with movies and storylines, with the line of the whole movie. They are trying to add the important, but yet typical, attributions to the film where they sadly enough fail hard in it. For example: the girl is always hungry throughout the movie, and that in the end she dies with saying that she is hungry. In the movie they just didn't emphasize this character trait enough, whereby the way she died didn't give the touch it needed to give. And in this whole movie, there are so many examples like this one. I gave it just a 5 because I see what the director was trying to do, but he failed too damn hard. The ending was somewhat nice, and the only part I really liked was ben Don Yilong dissed Gen somewhat in from of the king. Also, the players in the movie acted sooooo badly. Cringed my toes several times...
Could have been a very good movie, but was pretty amateurish.
the grand competition
ksf-211 April 2022
From chiner. In ancient times, when the various lands were several, distinct zones, ruled by different leaders, they hold a competition to find the best fighters in all the land. Dong yilong and chu hun set off to join the competition. It's quite a grand journey! Good captions and very appropriate music. A lot of slow motion. Frequent trick photography and cgi, inserting things that weren't really there. Monsters, fire, blood. Giant scorptions. All kinds of violence and swearing, so not for the young ones. Showing on netflix, but produced by the China Film Group. The state run company that makes chinese films. And has its own page on wikipedia dot org.
ACT 3 that completely destroyed the movie
motirey28 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
At first i was really enjoying the movie ACT 1 was amazing and intriguing, ACT 2 was intense and exciting but then came ACT 3 where the story telling went all over the place. This kind of movie doesn't need that much drama to be honest but they still did it anyway. They have "ONE OF THE BEST AND THE MOST LIKEABLE CHARACTER IN JINGGANG" then they went and kill her just to create drama to make the male characters who're unlikeable and not interesting have motivation to fight. Also they killed all WOMAN characters in this movie i don't know if they hate women or something. In the end i hated it because it could've done more to set up an exciting sequel but now JINGGANG is dead i don't care about the sequel anymore. Heck she's the only one with the best fight scenes and technique here in this movie. I really want to know her backstory, i wish if there is a sequel she will be revived by that BLUE LADY which is by the way useless in this LOL !!!
great start but a underwhelming ending
aengmahli3 December 2020
The movie started with a good character introduction of protagonist and antigonist plus the supporting and extra characters. BUT the end the movie was rushed and feels incomplete. This movie is watchable but don't expect to much from it.
Not gonna lie, they had me in the first half.
madcatprimary7 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Just humming along having a good time until the torture pr0n started. Costumes were great, and there were some cool looking characters, almost none of whom get any development and are just there to pad the field for the moronic contest the villain is holding. The CGI goes between mediocre to pretty good. It only rarely evokes any cringe. The monsters look convincing mostly.
Tried to fast forward past the cartoon villain tormenting the little girl and realized it goes on for what must be 10 minutes or something. Couldn't bring myself to finish the movie, as I realized I don't care what else they wasted time filming after that. To be fair, I did get attached to the three main characters. I guess that's my fault. Screw these guys. Like others have said before me, the female characters are just there to push the story for the guys. I don't know what kind of people enjoy stories where their favorite characters get slowly tortured to death on screen, but I came to have fun. This movie isn't fun, unless you enjoy misery.
Tried to fast forward past the cartoon villain tormenting the little girl and realized it goes on for what must be 10 minutes or something. Couldn't bring myself to finish the movie, as I realized I don't care what else they wasted time filming after that. To be fair, I did get attached to the three main characters. I guess that's my fault. Screw these guys. Like others have said before me, the female characters are just there to push the story for the guys. I don't know what kind of people enjoy stories where their favorite characters get slowly tortured to death on screen, but I came to have fun. This movie isn't fun, unless you enjoy misery.
Double World Left A Bad Taste In The Mouth Of This Connoisseur Of All Things Asian Cinema!
tesswysko26 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
One of the best things that happened to me was the "Globalization" of the entertainment industry! I loved anime (which in middle America was basically Robotech, Fist Of The North Star, & a few scattered small series) and the closest thing I had to manga were comic books & Archie's, then of course my brother and i used to BEG to stay up late Saturday for the Midnight Kung-Fu on the local channels, but until the last couple decades, the words: anime, manga, wuxia, webtoon, and K O One (LOL) didn't have NEARLY the meaning that they do to me now! Be it my anime like Berserk!, Fairytail; manga like Bleach, Full Metal Alchemist; horror like Train to Busan, Svaha; camp like Battle Royal, Dead Sushi; fantasy like Animal World; wuxia like Ice Fantasy, Ashes Of Love; drama like Princess Weiyoung; I eat it UP! Every day! All different kinds, I seem to enjoy almost every style, & I attribute this to their high expectations for good actors, storyline, visuals, etc. I haven't seen any that Id recommend to Rotten Tomatoes, until today.
I'm sorry, I'm going to be somewhat vague, because i hate it when people spoil the core storyline, but this movie is like Jell-O, it wiggles all over the place, without having any REAL substance, and the plot is so weak that you can see right through it! I THINK there are 2 warring countries, i THINK the main kid is royalty-though they never REALLY explain, and the guy he was close with, ended up being a total DONKEY to him, even after he saved him time & again- including from execution!
This is a STINKER! Watch for the cool basillisk & giant Mongolian dog, fast forward past the rest!
I'm sorry, I'm going to be somewhat vague, because i hate it when people spoil the core storyline, but this movie is like Jell-O, it wiggles all over the place, without having any REAL substance, and the plot is so weak that you can see right through it! I THINK there are 2 warring countries, i THINK the main kid is royalty-though they never REALLY explain, and the guy he was close with, ended up being a total DONKEY to him, even after he saved him time & again- including from execution!
This is a STINKER! Watch for the cool basillisk & giant Mongolian dog, fast forward past the rest!
Same old, same old...
lesleymack-0839927 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As usual there is good CGI, huge sets and a cast of thousands. And, yet again, the majority of the lead actors are men with predictably, two strong women dying horribly, just like every other Chinese epic. Such a boys' club. Chewing gum for the mind.
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