Reset (2017) User Reviews

And again ... and again ...

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 12 February 2018]

When you reset something, you try to make it better. But if you do it too often, you may end up with a mess that you can not improve any longer. Keep that in mind. The motivation of the main character here is relatable, but you may find yourself shaking your head more than once, looking at the direction the movie takes.

Time travel movies have problems and they are not easy to write. Also if you are too impatient, you may have expectations that the movie cannot fulfill. Having said that, this movie is entertaining enough and has enough suspense for you not to care about certain things. While it also delivers impossible stunts from a woman that is a scientist first ... but maybe was a warrior in her previous life. Again try not to overthink it ... and those are the obvious things you can pick out. Just watch it and enjoy it for the romp that it is ...

Entertaining and well spun time travel thriller

[muhammedchand5 · 6/10 · 5 December 2017]

Watched the movie on an international flight and I was actually pretty surprised at how good it is. Personally I really like how Chinese sci- fi seems to "get" what it is to be a researcher better than western counterparts that hype researchers to be either super-humans capable of achieving any unlikely task or crazy evil logicians. I was really impressed with how well thought out the time travel was and I honestly could not point out a flaw (which is pretty significant since most movies end up screwing up when messing with time-lines). There are even clever little markers throughout that are important further on but aren't spelt out to you that makes me thing the director respects the audience. For example (spoiler) you briefly see on one of the consoles that the H2 test subject becomes more violent. Now as Tia Xing goes through a second time you see her extremely violent but the key thing is they don't spell it out to you - I expected something like in Avengers where in this situation she would say "I am the second level time traveler, so I'm willing to do more than you, and kill anyone in my way" - but no that is something they expect you to pick up - that the degradation is what resulted in the breakout from the other bases etc.

Time travel ? Or parallel universes ? They can't decide...

[IvnSoft · 5/10 · 28 February 2018]

If you think of this movie as Sci-Fi, it is a mess. Let go the Sci part, and look at it for what it is. Fiction or just plain Fantasy.

The issue is that the script itself doesn't decide what this is. Time Travel or Parallel universes. If they don't understand the difference, explains why everything happened how it did.

Now.. it is not total garbage. As the pro list, i could say it was fun, characters are likable, and the FX is decent. The con list would be that the story/dialogue is borderline stupid (honestly, you will guess every single plot twist before it even start), and the acting ability is amateurish. So, if you watch this not expecting a mind bending movie, you might enjoy it. (Hey, there are some hollywood movies about the same topic that are completely moronic... )

Yet another time travel flick

[Snootz · 5/10 · 8 March 2022]

I keep watching these time travel movies, thinking someone might come up with something good. On occasion, they do. Very rarely. This is not one of those times.

This is basically an action / adventure with a time travel theme. Kudos to them for sparing us the "Deja Vu" syndrome, showing the same scenes over and over. Every time a change happens we know it happens, but we don't have to watch the whole convoluted process over again (thank goodness).

But convoluted is its biggest problem. The script / director doesn't quite get across to the audience everything that's going on, and the plot twists get confusing pretty quickly. We're still able to follow the basic story line, but there are huge gaping holes in the plot that should have been filled in a lot better... and it would have been far more enjoyable if we'd actually seen more planning between certain characters (no spoilers).

This had great potential, but the writers didn't quite achieve that potential. This could be re-made with a much more intelligent and thought-out story line and be a much better movie.

As it is, it's kind of sloppy, with a very predictable ending. So as with most such films, it merely scores a mediocre rating, for producing yet another not-that-original time travel flick.

If you're going to do yet another time travel film-- better bring some real writing skills to the table.

OK-ish

[mrpatras · 7/10 · 23 February 2018]

This is perhaps not a 1982 Blade Runner or Brazil, but it is not too bad either. Lately the American movies are getting stupider by the day, especially the SF ones which are just buckets of PC, and the Chinese market tries and succeeds in dethroning Hollywood from the pedestal. What goes up will go down. I suspect that in few years we'll see really good SF Far East movies. We'll just have to adapt to a different language. The movie keeps up your attention and for that, it's great.

Bad acting, ridiculous plot deveopment

[trulahn · 2/10 · 23 February 2018]

Ok, this is not the WORST time travel movie ever made. Time Cop is the gold standard of crappy time travel story. But the set up is just nuts and unnecessarily complex, to the point that it makes no sense why the characters in the movie chose to do things the way they did it. The dialogue is ineptly written and the supporting actors sounded like this was their first time acting outside of their school drama club. The laboratory setup is insanely anti-ergonomic and the security measures for such a major research facility is laughable at best. The main female lead actress Yang Mi also isn't skilled enough to carry the movie. There is little saving grace to it. 2 out of 10 is me being generous because China film industry is still relatively inexperienced. SyFy network can make better TV movie than this.

A still rusty but interesting Chinese production

[chappaai-836-114963 · 7/10 · 30 June 2017]

Since the media frenzy caused by the Three Body Problem winning the Hugo award, Chinese sci-fi community has been taking advantage of the situation and pushing for major expansion. The abrupt increase of Chinese sci-fi films production is the evident result. However, the sustainability of this development relies on the quality of these products. Although still rusty by art standard, this film is good enough to earn further support for the genre from the public and officials alike.

This film is set in near future, with somewhat detailed characterization of near future life.

On the story side, the character development of the main protagonist seem a little too fast to be natural, which is only justifiable if attributed to the side affect of time travel. However, the contrast of these personalities is rather interesting.

It also consists of all the necessary elements of a successful film in China, action, humor and weird personas. Also, an obvious educational element is added at the end of the film to secure the dragon seal required for a mainland release.

Lots of mistakes.

[garyhoney1984 · 1/10 · 30 May 2019]

Well yet another Red Star flop by Jackie Chan and the government of China. He needs to get out of the producing business in my opinion. 45 caliber bullets do not go through two car windows or a car body and strike somebody in the back without deflecting off target. The Chinese are obviously have no concept of paradox universes either. Poorly written, or they directed and poorly produced in my opinion. Had it been written as a comedy it might have made more sense. Then again, I belong to the wrong political party to be making a movie review.

A mysterious yet confusing time travel film

[yeolit · 6/10 · 11 July 2017]

This film basically is about time travel, about how a researcher tries to save her child from various circumstances by travelling back to the amount of time permitted.

This does sound familiar, however, one thing to note is how there were a few seemingly random scenes at the beginning of the film which would remain unexplained until near the end of the film. Thus, it will be kinda mysterious and confusing here and there.

What I find this film lacking is how it presents the scenarios. There were a few scenes which were so incredibly impossible or careless that I really find it hard that this is catered to adults. Thus, the story line becomes boring and predictable, and I kind of lost interest halfway the show. However, there were also quite a few unexpected twists which made the plot line interesting.

In conclusion, this is a film that you should take a pinch of salt with when watching because even for a sci-fi film, it doesn't look very realistic. Watch for the action, not the logic.

I am you.

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 11 February 2018]

Xia Tian (Mi Yang ) works for Nexus which has created a time machine, but is not really a time machine as it creates a wormhole and connects to a parallel universe. You can go up to an hour and fifty minutes back in time. The US facility had an issue where they had a bunch of duplicates and they killed each other. The evil Americans want to steal the Chinese data. Xia, one of the main researchers ends up going back in time as her son Doudou becomes extinct in the plot.

They deal nicely with the time paradox by making it a parallel universe, or course your duplicate is there. The film had a slight twist as the plot unfolds, but nothing dynamic.

Profound Chinese science-fiction movie filled with action and emotions

[kluseba · 8/10 · 29 March 2018]

Reset is an emotional, entertaining and stylish Chinese science-fiction thriller that is much better than its reputation. The movie tells the story of single mother and scientist Xia Tian who is working on wormhole technology to allow people to travel back in time. One day, her son gets kidnapped and Xia Tian is forced to steal the scientific results from her facility within one hour to save his life. The challenge ends in a disaster with her colleagues getting killed, her facility getting exploded and her son getting killed. As last resort, Xia Tian decides to become the first human being to travel back in time to get a second chance to save her child. However, she soon realizes that her personal fate is part of a much more complex conspiracy and that she has to face much more opponents than expected to repair the past.

Reset is a movie that convinces on many levels. First of all, the depiction of the near future seems surprisingly grounded and realistic but also includes vehicles, technologies and buildings that are stunning to discover. Secondly, the plot is compact and has fluid pace which makes for an entertaining viewing experience from start to finish. Thirdly, the special effects are rarely over the top and find the right balance between brutality and elegance. Fourthly, the acting performances are quite good as one cares about the sympathetic main character but also about her trustworthy colleagues and even about the villains who are much more complex than one might initially think.

There are only minor flaws in this film. First of all, the plot is somehwat predictable and could have been a little bit more complex. Secondly, the movie's twist wasn't much convincing and could have been more detailed.

In the end, Reset is a very strong science-fiction movie that is filled with action and emotions from start to finish. The film's camera, light and special effects look greater than many contemporary Hollywood films. Therefore, the movie deserves more acclaim and attention than it gets. Give it a try and you will get excellent entertainment if you like science-fiction films with depth.

Entertaining time travel movie

[sonnygoten · 7/10 · 14 March 2018]

Great to see the main protagonist evolve with every time she travels back into the past to save her son. When you see all three versions of her together, you see what progress she's made in character development.

Could've done without the villain motive explanation flashback from actor Wallace Huo, though. It felt a little messily done and broke the pacing of the movie.

All in all, a nice sci-fi movie with a likable main heroine.

You guys are too generous and too kind to

[MovieIQTest · 20 February 2018]

This childish and absurd lousy film. I am also amazed to you reviewers before me for your fathomless and bottomless patience that enabled you to sit through this brain-damaging ridiculous Chinese film. I really can't understand if you guys could give this film 5 even 7 stars, how those were justified to really deserve a fair 5, 6, or even high enough 7 stars films. I'm quite confused of your logic, because I almost suffered another depression when I tried to watch and finish this pathetic film. I was encouraged by you guys' reviews and decided to give this film a try, but I have to say you guys fooled me successfully.

This is so far one of the worst films out of China or Hong Kong(part of China now). Why these investors who got too much RMB never thought to donate it to build more schools for the poor, build some roads or safe little bridges in the countryside for the Chinese poor but instead wasted it on such drive-you-nuts foolish farce is always a myth that I could never understand.

DO NOT waste your time and dough on this ridiculousness, please.

Disappointing

[funk-alex · 1/10 · 4 December 2018]

Good story line and special effects but they picked the wrong actress for the job. Her acting was terrible.

Like A Summer Blockbuster, But Dumber

[xalfadeimdb · 3/10 · 13 December 2022]

This is the kind of movie I could see being remade by Hollywood someday. It's given to the biggest leading lady of the year, it under-performs at the box office, and her career is never the same after that.

On the positive sides, the movie looks expensive. The sci-fi tech is sleek and the effects look very good. Lead actress Yang Mi does an excellent job. Especially after the time jumping starts. Unfortunately, this is a very dumb movie. It has every movie trope ever. It's very predictable. It has plot holes on top of obvious plot holes. It also misses the "so bad it's good" mark by taking itself very seriously and looking like a fairly expensive. Only the most forgiving and easy to please sci-fi would enjoy this.

Well.. I was expecting something generic, but what I got was decently memorable!

[daisukereds · 7/10 · 12 October 2021]

"Scientists advance the technology enough to be able to connect to the past (via alternate timelines). A competing company wants their advancements and will do anything to get them."

From an interesting concept, to the great execution and intricacies in the story that make it stand out. An uncommon development, deeper implications than expected, and a resolution with meaningful change of the lead character / adaption to the situation. It's not particularly tense, and a tad predictable, but still has some surprises. Although, the involved technology and everything tied to it is extremely over simplified. Doubts are raised over details, but ultimately doesn't matter. It's a film to pass the time! I was reminded of the caliber and content of a Liam Neeson release, where they are quality movies with good delivery and action.. but still a little "questionable" at it's core.

Overall, good production! Very appealing visually. Be it every physical location, style, design, interfaces, etc. It's when CGI is used that it looks a tad cheap.

The cast is good as well.. with Mi Yang starting a little weak in her performance, but surprising me in the end. Wallace Huo (a Chinese Joel Kinnaman lookalike), as a good villain. And the child does a good job too.

No complaints here and an easy recommendation! Enjoyed it enough and it felt smart at times, and my time didn't feel wasted.

Go save my son...

[lojitsu · 7/10 · 4 December 2018]

Here's The Lowedown on "Reset" (NR - 2017 - China)...Go save my son!

Genre: Sci-Fi/Time My Score: 6.8

Cast=4 Acting=6 Plot=7 Ending=9 Story=7 CGI=7 Violent=7 Pace=6 Time=8 Twist=7

When her son is kidnapped, the inventor of a time machine teams up with multiple versions of her future self to rescue him.

"You are no longer needed for this experiment." The movie is all in Mandarin with no dubbing...so I want to feel the emotions of the players. There was one actor that seemed horrible to me so it lost points...but otherwise it was pretty solid. It reminded me a lot of "Timecrimes" in the way it layered on top of itself. With a few surprises, this turned a predictable time travel flick into a decent watch.

Watchable korean time travel movie..!!

[kamalbeeee · 6/10 · 21 July 2020]

A lady insist to use time travel machine to save her son.bit confising story still can watch carefully...

Amazing Science fiction movie with quality acting and a strong female lead

[mchgothmog · 10/10 · 25 August 2018]

I'm a big fan of foreign movies Chinese and Korean especially and I also love science fiction movies reset is a great time travel science fiction movie the storyline is great the acting is great especially the main female lead played by yang mi and the action scenes are awesome plus the movie has a good ending

I love yang mi as an actress she was great in the witness another great Chinese movie and she's great in reset her performance is exceptional really great acting

Overall reset is a great movie with great acting storyline action a strong female lead and a good ending Chinese movies are really destroying Hollywood

Highly recommended

I really Love this Reset (2017) with my heart! It's Proved that Mom alway love you no meter what happend....

[Nio-Islam · 10/10 · 14 September 2019]

This movie really touch me... It doesn't meter if this science fiction movie with lot of emotion. that's the point of reset if you cant change anything? All the mother try their best to saved the boy... That really touch me... I want to tell those people how try to give bad review and less rating in this movie. You really dont under stand the meaning of the this movie... go! watch again!

I think the writer want to tell us that,"Please love your mom, you dont know how much your Mom love you.....".

Thank you so much to Jackie Chan & Chang sir. and also thanks to Mom,Yang Mi. Her 2ed self acting really..... Have long happy life. take care.

From Intense Nervousness to Disappointing Character Development

[Ingrid_Underwater · 8/10 · 21 June 2023]

The lopper part of "Ni Shi Ying Jiu(Reset)" deserves a standing ovation, as it successfully captivated my attention and evoked intense nervousness for the female lead. This segment alone is worthy of a perfect score, and I applaud the filmmakers for their execution. However, the overall quality of the plot is inconsistent, particularly in the beginning where the story background and supporting characters are introduced.

The initial portrayal of the story background and character backgrounds falls short in terms of convincing storytelling. It comes across as lacking depth and even somewhat high schoolish at times. Additionally, the design of the lab interior feels unprofessional and fails to create a fully immersive experience. While I understand budget constraints may have influenced these shortcomings, their prominence is hard to ignore.

Character development and writing suffer, especially in the case of the old villain and the young villain Tsui Hu. They epitomize outdated and clichéd character tropes: individuals driven by personal misfortune seeking revenge at the expense of others. This motive is not convincing and feels like a lazy shortcut in character design. It gives the impression that the filmmakers wrote the lopper part first and then hastily adjusted the rest of the story to ensure its smooth progression. With more effort dedicated to developing characters beyond the female lead, the overall quality of the film could have improved tremendously. It's a shame that this opportunity was missed.

Despite its shortcomings, the lopper part of "Ni Shi Ying Jiu(Reset)" remains a shining example of engaging plot and intense action. However, the decline in quality throughout other aspects of the film is evident and detracts from its overall impact.