26 reviews
- Rectangular_businessman
- Dec 10, 2017
- Permalink
I have enjoyed many movies from China, and I've certainly enjoyed a lot of movies from America. Unfortunately, when China and America get together to make a movie, the results are usually a misfire. This particular co-production does not do anything to change the trend. There is nothing wrong with the visual look of the movie; the animation and art design is colorful and pleasing despite not having the polish of Pixar or other top American animation outfits. And the core idea of the movie is pretty original and could have worked if there was one clear direction the story unfolded at instead of being pulled in two directions. Thanks to the American Weinstein brothers, the movie (at least in the English dubbed version that I watched) has pretty awful voice acting for the most part, narration that seems a desperate addition to make the movie make sense, and embarrassing use of American songs like "Kung Fu Fighting" and "(Theme from) Shaft". Also, it appears that the Weinsteins severely cut down the movie for western audiences, because there are a bunch of plot threads and characters that make little sense and/or are not finished by the time the end credits start to roll. But while there are signs that the original Chinese version might have made more sense, much of the movie would probably unfold at an even slower pace than it presently unfolds, and be cluttered with even more plot than it is now. In the end, the movie is a big disappointment. Kids may be more forgiving towards it, but I don't think they will request repeated viewings.
- the-best-of-purple
- Apr 27, 2019
- Permalink
I tried watching this on Netflix today and the English voice acting was absolute garbage. I had to give up watching it after only 5 minutes. I don't understand how they could release like this. The little girl sounds like she is 20.
If only they had the Chinese version but they don't so I guess I wont be seeing this movie.
- keakaraage
- Nov 21, 2018
- Permalink
Prior to sitting down to watch "The Guardian Brothers" (aka "Xiao men shen") I had not heard anything about it. Actually, I didn't even know it existed. I read the synopsis and decided to watch it. Plus, it was set in an Asian setting, which also appeals to me.
This animated movie had a very nice story to tell, and it is very enjoyable even if you are not overly familiar with Chinese mythology. You quickly and easily immerse yourself into the storyline and the world in which the story takes place.
The art style used in this animated movie was quite good, as it was definitely unique and lovely at the same time.
It was just a shame that it was an English dubbed version that I saw, although they had some pretty good voice actors on the cast list for the English dub.
"The Guardian Brothers" is definitely worth taking the time to sit down and watch, whether it is by yourself or with your family and kids.
This animated movie had a very nice story to tell, and it is very enjoyable even if you are not overly familiar with Chinese mythology. You quickly and easily immerse yourself into the storyline and the world in which the story takes place.
The art style used in this animated movie was quite good, as it was definitely unique and lovely at the same time.
It was just a shame that it was an English dubbed version that I saw, although they had some pretty good voice actors on the cast list for the English dub.
"The Guardian Brothers" is definitely worth taking the time to sit down and watch, whether it is by yourself or with your family and kids.
- paul_haakonsen
- Jun 16, 2018
- Permalink
I'm agree. It's one of the best visual. Very Oriental and colorful. I like the storyline of this Movie, but I found some mismatch in the storyline, and make this movie is confusing at the storyline
- syarwanhamid
- Jan 1, 2019
- Permalink
I don't choose to watch dubbed versions but in this case, Netflix didn't exactly give me a choice. Nicole Kidman's awful attempt at voice acting was awful. Literally sounded like she had just received the script and read it during recording.
- xxxsukkubusxxx
- Jun 16, 2020
- Permalink
So appropriate, despite being a legend (or not) to believe in a superior force, be it God, Allah, Saints, Destiny, Santa Claus, makes us recover the belief in faith, and in a better future, in love to the next, in mercy and kindness, not about church, not about creation, but about the power of thought combined with belief and faith in a better world... Adorably beautiful and cute animation... Similar to "Dois Irmãos", however inferior...
- RosanaBotafogo
- Aug 24, 2022
- Permalink
- funnily_notbusted
- Jun 18, 2018
- Permalink
An animated gem which is a pleasure to watch. Expect great visuals, a cool story and family-friendly fun with lots of soul. Looking forward to the next installment by the creators. I highly recommend this movie!
- Elden_Lord
- Jan 19, 2018
- Permalink
My heart breaks for the animators of this movie. I couldn't imagine working so hard only to see it ruined by Americans who just want to make a quick buck.This movie should've been wonderful; why in the world was this allowed to happen?
- nicole4214
- Dec 29, 2020
- Permalink
I'm hoping the Chinese version of this movie was better because the dubbed in english version was just awful. Maybe it was the voice acting, perhaps it was the script, or even the not so funny "jokes" and unnecessary music choices... it was just a bad experience for me. To paint more of a clear picture, this movie basically had my hopes up on a 60 story building, then threw them off with a 50 pound rock tied to them so they can just fall even faster.
- Cheshire65
- Oct 6, 2018
- Permalink
When it comes to children's animation I usually like to cut the film makers some slack for making an attempt at family films. But there is little to love about this film. From the poor choice of music to the head-scratcher story (what exactly was the moral trying to be portrayed here?) to the ultra-cliche characters, this one misses on just about every cylinder.
The real problem was the plot and story line. Exactly what were the writers and directors trying to teach here? That the way to accomplish good is to create extreme bad? Such philosophical nonsense is not a story to teach young children. It's a little difficult to tell who is the good guy and who is the bad here. The sub-plot of the bad-guy competitor is unnecessary to the main story... or is the main story a sub-plot of the evil competitive restaurateur? Hard to tell.
While the sight-gags are understandable for young children (the fart gags might gain a laugh from the 7-&-under audience), they might leave older children and adults cold. (Characters fighting over a lone bathroom because they all have quote "diarrhea" unquote... isn't all that funny.)
The cliche characters and questionable theme serve to make this an hour and a half wasted. The animation is good, the sound is well-mixed (except for the iffy American song choices). Beyond that, one can give this a pass. I don't know whether this is a case of Asian film lost in the Americanization... or if it was simply poor to start with, but it was a yawner by the 20 minute mark and didn't much improve in the remaining time.
The real problem was the plot and story line. Exactly what were the writers and directors trying to teach here? That the way to accomplish good is to create extreme bad? Such philosophical nonsense is not a story to teach young children. It's a little difficult to tell who is the good guy and who is the bad here. The sub-plot of the bad-guy competitor is unnecessary to the main story... or is the main story a sub-plot of the evil competitive restaurateur? Hard to tell.
While the sight-gags are understandable for young children (the fart gags might gain a laugh from the 7-&-under audience), they might leave older children and adults cold. (Characters fighting over a lone bathroom because they all have quote "diarrhea" unquote... isn't all that funny.)
The cliche characters and questionable theme serve to make this an hour and a half wasted. The animation is good, the sound is well-mixed (except for the iffy American song choices). Beyond that, one can give this a pass. I don't know whether this is a case of Asian film lost in the Americanization... or if it was simply poor to start with, but it was a yawner by the 20 minute mark and didn't much improve in the remaining time.
Yikes, the voice work in this movie is awful. It's like a layer out of place.. And while it is visually interesting in some parts the movement and dialogue is just BAD... The pacing, developments and everything in it feels wrong.
The Seal-breaking scenes are the only saving grace (mostly anything Yu Lei related), and the drawn animation of the "monster".. aside from that, the story is not explained enough, doesn't make sense and feels dumb at times.
I wonder if watching this in another language would make this a tad better. Also, there's too many farts..
I wonder if watching this in another language would make this a tad better. Also, there's too many farts..
- daisukereds
- Mar 13, 2021
- Permalink
I started watching this movie on Netflix, but the music and the voice acting was just so extremely bad that out of curiosity I decided to see how the original was in comparison. Man, it was so much better. The english version is not just bad voice acting, they completely changed the dialogue and inserted a lot of out-of-date pop references (to star wars and ubers for example) and horrible pop songs and cringe. The original version had none of these references, and nice and calm melodic music instead of the pop songs, so the literal mood of the movie was lost in translation. The Netflix version also literally cut out some parts of the movie. I'd give the american version a 1, but the chinese version gets 5 stars (that's quite high for me).
Thanks to the recent review I got curious and came to the original version. Indeed Netflix cut some important parts that introduce the characters and voice over was so bad! Unnecessary modern sound track, I feel bad for this movie Netflix just totally ruined it please consider watch the original one it's on Youtube.
I was watching this for extra credit for class and the movie was boring, weird, and confusing.
- maliyaouellette
- Jan 6, 2020
- Permalink
It sounded as if none of the voice actors even met each other or saw the animation. I couldn't get past voices not matching the characters and characters talking over each other to watch this. (Part of the time, I couldn't distinguish who was supposed to be talking.) The plot looked promising, but I was highly disappointed by the acting, especially with the number of famous actors voicing the characters. It looked more as if a bunch of amateur high schoolers got together and dubbed this film. How disappointing, and what an insult to the original creators.
- llamallamaisyourmama
- Apr 9, 2022
- Permalink
Kids asked to change it 5 minutes in. Even weirder is the racist dub of Americanized voices for clearly a Chinese movie. They all sound like some SNL skit about a soup kitchen. Don't waste your time either.
- schock_mail
- Jun 27, 2021
- Permalink
For some reason a group of reviewers decided to gang up on this animated movie. The thing that makes me suspicious is they all use the same wording to describe the voice characters of actors. First of all, the voices are not awful. Some of them are a little stereotypical in their effort to project a character, but they are far from awful. Next, the animation is just great and there's nothing wrong with it. The story itself, and the moral they are trying to teach in the story, it's very clear and deals with traditions brought from the old age into the modern age. For children this movie would be much appreciated and opens areas for discussion by parents . For teenagers it might not have the grab that some of the bigger studios have when they create an animated movie. I found the modernizations and some of the images and dialogue to be in keeping with all the other modern animated movies. So it is well worth a try and it is well worth watching by youngsters as opposed to the new red movie by Disney.
- bryant-christenson
- Apr 17, 2022
- Permalink
Love the story. I did not realize it was a dub as it was done well. Whole family likes this.
I came across this animated film on Netflix, and I thought it was a great film, despite some lame lines and Bella Thorne's voice acting being out-of-place (sorry). But the animation is really awesome, which is why I gave it a 10 out of 10 rating.
The story is about two spirit brothers, Yulei and Shentu. They are also "Door Gods" that are facing unemployment along with other spirits because humans no longer believe in spirits in this modern age. After hearing from the now-fired Earth God (Beckett in the dub), Yulei hatches a misguided plan to unleash a demon called the Nian. Despite Shentu's objections, Yulei went to the human world to break the three seals to release the Nian. Along the way, he came across a girl named Yu'er (or Raindrop) after saving her from some dogs. Then he handed her a medallion and left to continue on. Yu'er, meanwhile, was having troubles of her own. She and her mom Xiaoying (Luli) are facing the closure of their soup shop and competition with nasty restaurant owner Boss Hu (Mr. Rogman). So that's all I am telling you folks. You will have to see the movie for yourself if you have Netflix.
Anyway, I love every bit of this film with its superb animation, despite the flaws I mentioned. Also, I really wish it was on DVD.
The story is about two spirit brothers, Yulei and Shentu. They are also "Door Gods" that are facing unemployment along with other spirits because humans no longer believe in spirits in this modern age. After hearing from the now-fired Earth God (Beckett in the dub), Yulei hatches a misguided plan to unleash a demon called the Nian. Despite Shentu's objections, Yulei went to the human world to break the three seals to release the Nian. Along the way, he came across a girl named Yu'er (or Raindrop) after saving her from some dogs. Then he handed her a medallion and left to continue on. Yu'er, meanwhile, was having troubles of her own. She and her mom Xiaoying (Luli) are facing the closure of their soup shop and competition with nasty restaurant owner Boss Hu (Mr. Rogman). So that's all I am telling you folks. You will have to see the movie for yourself if you have Netflix.
Anyway, I love every bit of this film with its superb animation, despite the flaws I mentioned. Also, I really wish it was on DVD.
- ja_kitty_71
- May 9, 2018
- Permalink
- narathip_87
- Jan 2, 2019
- Permalink
If you are longing for a very good story, garnished with love and poetry, you must not miss this incredible movie. The animation is impeccable, even in the smallest details. One more time, like in many classic Chinese movies, the theme
concerns heaven and earth but this time, it's presented from a very modern perspective which will make you laugh and reflect at the same time!
- M1racl3sHapp3n
- Mar 29, 2018
- Permalink