On September 12, Sina reported that the film Westward Journey of the Immortal Monks, directed by Nghệ Nhi and Bạch Vũ, has sparked various contrasting opinions among viewers. Notably, the film’s adaptation from the novel by the author Vũ Ngự has constructed a new world featuring the Immortal Monks, rich with many intriguing elements. However, when the film aired, audiences rated several scenes as lacking the depth expected from the character of the protagonist.
With the content provided, viewers of Westward Journey of the Immortal Monks have built a new world that intertwines cultural essence while also showcasing shallow character portrayals.
However, Westward Journey of the Immortal Monks has faced criticism because the scenes of the investigative team venturing into different realms within the Immortal Monks universe are quite superficial. The cinematography appears reminiscent of early 2000s films, lacking creativity and vibrancy. Additionally, the symbolic representations in the narrative, such as the desert and shadows, have been evaluated as inadequate and fail to create an engaging storyline.
The character’s portrayal in Westward Journey of the Immortal Monks lacks depth and does not align with the original work.
According to Sina, Westward Journey of the Immortal Monks has received conflicting opinions regarding its content. Among them, some viewers who are familiar with the original work believe that the film has adhered closely to the novel, without excessive deviations. The characters are said to possess depth, similar to what the author Vũ Ngự depicted.
However, for those who are not familiar with the original novel, it is difficult for viewers to grasp the strength of the character Diệp Lưu Tây and the underlying secrets of the narrative. The film does not effectively fulfill the role of entertainment, particularly regarding the character’s development and the overarching storyline.
Moreover, Sina also pointed out that Westward Journey of the Immortal Monks has not yet crafted a sufficient sense of danger as seen in the original tale. A portion of the film’s scenes does not resonate with the viewers’ expectations, and the performances of the actors lack engagement.
In the narrative, Diệp Lưu Tây is portrayed as a girl with a yearning to rediscover her roots. Nghệ Nhi delivers a performance that is haunting and ethereal, yet fails to resonate with the character’s plight in her quest for identity. Consequently, viewers find the film lacking in emotional connection, diminishing the importance of this significant journey. Likewise, the feelings of sorrow stemming from her lost past are not clearly conveyed through Bạch Vũ’s performance.
On the other hand, a highlight of Westward Journey of the Immortal Monks is the performances of the ensemble cast, showcasing new content and grounded cinematography, as the film crew has sought to bring realistic settings to life.
