Retention of the Locale but not the People

The charm of Huanzhu Louzhu's famous martial arts novel, Swordsmen from the Zu Mountains, cannot be denied: In 1983, it was made into a movie, Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountains, by Tsui Hark. Besides, Ni Kuang also rewrote it as Journal of the Purple and the Green Sword. Nearly twenty years later, it appears that Tsui Hark's passion for Swordsmen from the Zu Mountains has not dwindled; This year, he yet again makes use of the story to produce his newest movie, Legend of Zu. Since Tsui Hark's decision to make this movie, there were various rumours surrounding the movie's plot. One faction said that this is the sequel of Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountains, while the other maintained it to be the prequel.

Tsui Hark clarified that Legend of Zu is not a prequel to his previous Zu movie. Neither is Legend of Zu a sequel. Rather, Legend of Zu has an independent storyline, except that the newer movie's Zu Mountains are still the legendary mystical mountains of yesterday and that the only character who survives is White Brows, acted by Sammo Hung. White Brows is still being played by Sammo Hung, save for the fact that he is 200 years older.

While the box office takings of Zu:Warriors from Magic Mountain was not ideal, it did create a sensation. This is not solely the merits of Tsui Hark, but also that of the star-studded cast consisting of such personalities as Adam Cheng, Lin Ching Hsia, Yuen Biao, Xu Shao-Qiang, Moon Lee. Except for Sammo Hung, none of the former stars are in the new show. Taking their places are Etkin Cheng, Cecicilia Cheung, Louis Koo, Lin Hsi Lei, Tan Yao-Wen, Zhang Ziyi and Wu Jing.


A New Peak in Special Effects

Before the completion of Legend of Zu, Stephen Chow's Shaolin Soccer created a record in Hong Hong for the use of over 400 shots of special effects. But it is dwarfed by Legend of Zu, which utilises over 1600 shots of computer-generated images, a first in Hong Kong film industry.

Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountains of yesteryear also set another record in Hong Kong. It was the first film to hire the visual effects design team of Star Wars to add special effects to the movie. However, owing to the limitations back then, Tsui Hark was unable to achieve what he intended and was, until now, remorseful about it. Now, under the situation where the presence of live actors is not required, Tsui Hark is finally able to make use of the present day technology to achieve new heights on the silver screen. This time, Tsui Hark has revolutionised the traditional sword-fighting movie, be it the setting or plot. Unfolding before the audience will be a bizarre, magical martial arts world of Man, Immortals and Demons.

As in the case of yesteryear, Tsui Hark has again employed a leading international visual effects design team for the movie. Like Disney's films, Legend of Zu also makes use of computers to design the characters and their appearances. The movie's worst nightmare character, Blood Demon of Asura Spring (Insomnia), is entirely computer generated and doesn't use any live-action actors. Unlike Disney's adorable characters, Legend of Zu's Blood Demon looks hideous and repulsive. Dan Chen-Zi's weapon, Divine Dragon Guillotine, relies heavily on CGI too. For instance, the pair of metallic wings behind his back, which consists of 72 sabres. It takes nearly a year to create the special effects in Legend of Zu, which were done jointly in America and Hong Kong.


Deep Meanings Behind the Story

Tsui Hark always uses his film to express certain morals. In Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountain, Tsui Hark used the mouths of the characters to proclaim, "Discrimination leads to a nation's downfall." In the new Legend of Zu, it seems that he is less inclined towards the didactic pedantry of a scholar; Instead, it arouses one's thoughts on life and love.

To quote Tsui Hark, this film is about eternity. What is it like to be living forever? When a person, who actually gains immortality, faces the death of their enemies, friends and loved ones, what would happen to them? Would they be happy or sad? Let's watch Legend of Zu before jumping to any conclusion.

The mountain range of Zu is not only a place of unique landscape, but also a congregation ground for swordsmen and eccentric people, who stay in various corners of the mountains to practise immortality and the skill of flying on swords. It is labelled as Heaven on Earth.

One of the Zu Mountains is Kun-Lun, a sacred place of Kun-Lun Sect. The sect leader is Abbess Crescent Moon. She appears to be a young lady though she is hundreds of years old. Her progress in spiritual practice is impeded by her love for her disciple, Xuan Tian-Zong. She foretells the invasion of Blood Demon of Asura Spring and his minions. Knowing that she cannot defeat them, she hands to Xuan Tian-Zong Kunlun Sect's holy weapon, Golden Wheel of the Moon and Sun and forces him to leave the sect, after which she is killed by Blood Demon.

[Warning: Some spoilers ahead.]

200 years later, Xuan Tian-Zong meets Er-Mei Sect's disciple, Li Ying-Qi, and notices her uncanny resemblance to Abbess Crescent Moon. Later, he discovers that she is the reincarnation of Abbess Lonely Moon, but her past memory was removed when she was reincarnated. Just when they are about further the romantic destiny of their past, Blood Demon of Asura Spring begins his raid on Er Mei Sect. Xuan Tian-Zong is appointed the chief of Er-Mei Sect and is duty-bound to lead its members against Blood Demon of Asura Spring. Eventually, Li Ying-Qi regains her memory, but they do not get to be together.

Through Legend of Zu's story, it's not difficult to understand the theme of the movie, which questions about the meaning of immortality. White Brows twice re-assemble the lives of the dead. Firstly, he re-creates Li Ying-Qi out of the deceased Abbess Crescent Moon's body, and later Lian Xing out of Chang-Kong Wu-Ji's. When their bodies are re-animated, their lives go on. On the surface, it seems that they have gained immortality. However, besides life, can they really grasp the eternity of love and happiness? Or would they wallow in sorrow and misery forever?

It is incontrovertible that Tsui Hark's idea on Legend of Zu is splendid, but to convey such a deep meaning among the chaotic fights in the martial arts world is by no means an easy task. And to let the audience comprehend the hard-work and kind intention of the script writer is an even more daunting task. Will the audience understand? Only time will tell when the film is released. Let's pray that Legend of Zu, which was made with a production budget of HK$90 Million (US$11.53 Million), does not disappoint.


Introducing the Cast (Character Descriptions)

Abbess Crescent Moon - (played by) Cecilia Cheung 
Head of Kun Lun Sect, yet falls in love with her disciple, Xuan Tian-Zong. Unable to overcome her worldly desires, she fails to achieve break-through in her practice. Sensing the imminent danger of Mt Kunlun, she sends away her beloved disciple, Xuan Tian-Zong, and gets killed by Blood Demon. White Brows comes to her rescue by creating a new life out of her former body. She returns to life as Er-Mei Sect's disciple, Li Ying-Qi. Eventually, she becomes an immortal.
 

Xuan Tian-Zong - Ekin Cheng 
Disciple of Abbess Crescent Moon, who only has eyes for his teacher. Prior to the massacre of Kun-Lun Sect led by Blood Demon, Abbess Crescent Moon imparts him the skills of controlling Kun-Lun Sect's holy weapon, Golden Wheel of the Moon and Sun and expels him to save his life. 200 years later, he meets Li Ying-Qi and is about to go after her when Blood Demon of Asura Spring strikes again. To save the masses, he accepts the role as Er-Mei Sect's leader and takes on Blood Demon with Golden Wheel of the Moon and Sun as well as Luminous Sword Beyond Inferno, two of the world's most powerful weapons.
 

White Brows - Sammo Hung 
Practitioner of the Way for a thousand years, and has gained immortality. Founder and Grand Master of Er-Mei Sect. In order to uphold justice and protect the people, uses his Hand of Life to restore the life of Abbess Crescent Moon and his discple, Chang-Kong Wu-Ji. When Er Mei Sect is in trouble, he risks himself to enter another dimension to look for the demon-subduing weapon, Luminous Sword Beyond Inferno.
 

Li Ying-Qi - Cecilia Cheung 
Was Abbess Crescent Moon in her previous life. Given a new lease of life with the aid of White Brows. Two hundred years later - Li Ying Qi becomes the heir to Er-Mei Sect's Heaven Striking Sword. She has lost the memory of her past life and does not recognise Xuan Tian-Zong.



Dan Chen-Zi - Louis Koo
Most senior disciple of Er-Mei Sect. A close friend of Xuan Tian-Zong. Especially deadly in kung-fu. Armed with a very lethal weapon of immeasurable power, Divine Dragon Guillotine, which is hidden behind his back and formed by 72 Flying Sabres. The movement of Divine Dragon Guillotine is dictated by his mind. He is assigned to guard the entrance of Blood Cave, but is tempted by Sprite Vermillion Corpse from Demon World. His body gets possessed and he steps onto the evil path of no-return. When Blood Demon attacks Er Mei Sect, he yields to the enemy and fight against Xuan Tian-Zong instead.



Chang-Kong Wu-Ji - Wu Gang 
The successor to Flaming Sword of Thunder, the other treasured guardian weapon of Er-Mei Sect. When Flaming Sword of Thunder is united with Li Ying-Qi's Heaven Striking Sword, their power is unstoppable. However, in the battle against Blood Demon, he becomes distracted owing to his passion for Li Ying-Qi. Subsequently, they are unable to unleash the full potency of the two swords, resulting in his death and Li Ying-Qi being seriously injured. White Brows gives his body a new life. (Wu Gang is a member of Shanghai Wushu Team and is the champion of 1998 Asia Meets and Word Wushu Competition.)



Lian Xing - Wu Jing 
"Lian" means just and upright while "Xing" means meting out of punishment against wrong-doers. The re-incarnation of Chang-Kong Wu-Ji. Also the inheritor of Flaming Sword of Thunder. He is the one who manages to realise the formidable potency of Flaming Sword of Thunder, eventually saving Er-Mei Sect and restoring peace to the world.



Cheng Le-Tian - Zhang Zi-Yi 
Daughter of General from Province Zu. Meets Xuan Tian-Zong and Dan Chen-Zi by chance. Inspired and awed by their impressive skills and magical abilities, decides to visit Mt Er-Mei to practise the Way. Falls head over heels for a disciple of Er Mei Sect, Duan Lei. On returning to Province Zu with Duan Lei, discovers her magical powers.
 

Sprite Vermillion Corpse - Kelly Lin Hsi Lei
Some kind of fairy in red, about the size of a (wo)man's palm. Not an expert in demonic skills. Often takes control of people by possessing them. Due to her ruse, Dan Chen-Zi turns into Blood Demon's hireling.


 

Reverend Zun-Shen - Liu Xun (Lau Shun)
Eminent monk of Mt Wu-Tai, no less in level of seniority and honour in the martial arts world than White Brows. Highly skilled and righteous. During the skirmish in Mt Er-Mei, he almost dies in an attempt to defend Er-Mei Sect against Blood Demon of Asura Spring.



Blood Demon of Asura Spring (CGI, computer generated images) 
Weird-looking and ugly demon. Was a disciple of Er-Mei. Of similar seniority as White Brows. Was expelled from Er-Mei Sect due to his undesirable acts, after which he perfected the demonic skills and vowed to eradicate Er Mei and other sects. As the saying goes, "when the demon grows taller by a yard, the Tao (The path of the good) grows taller by a mile," and in the end, he is subdued.



Duan Lei - Tan Yao-Wen (Patrick Tam)
A talent among the younger disciples of Er-Mei, he is given the task of teaching the other members on the account of his excellent skills. Wields Light Dispersing Sword of Grandness, the nemesis of demons. Suffering from loneliness, falls for Cheng Le-Tian, and leaves Mt Er Mei to enjoy the bliss of human world. But when Blood Demon of Asura Spring invades Er Mei Sect, he returns to protect it.


Source of Article: NetEase, Wang Ming, 13 July 2001
Originally in Chinese