Còn đây là tranh vẽ Tiểu Long Nữ:
Mà hình như cả cái cô gì người Singapore cũng đóng TLN rồi à! Trông xinh phết! cô gì ấy nhỉ, quên tên rồi!
I am a fan of Return of Condor Heroes (ROCH) 1984 version, and after hearing much talk about the lead characters (Carmen Lee and Louis Koo), I was really looking forward to watching this series, at least for the sake of comparison with another version. For the first few episodes, I was rather disappointed that there were no children cast; the adult cast were not very convincing as 14-15 years old youngsters. Then the series got more interesting as the plot moved in faster pace. One of its merits was its (mostly) faithfulness to the original story. On the other hand, it also made any add-on parts more visible and without any sense.
Overall, I think that this serial is a good Jin Yong adaptation in its own standing, but when it gets compared with the former version (84), which I shall proceed to do so in this review, it just lacks the magical charm of the 80's and somewhat becomes short of expectations.
Since these two versions (1984 and 1995) came from the same Production Company, it is fair enough to compare them in various aspects. I will try not to turn this review into the another one of 1984 reviews though.
Plot and Script in general:
ROCH95 is 32 episodes in length, too short in my opinion, although it didn't leave much space for plot changing, which was indeed a blessing. There are many instances in the series that I could feel that they were taken word for word from the book. As a result, some details such as Hong Qi Gong's nine fingers added color to the series and made it more to the taste of Jin Yong's fans.
Conversely, the length limitation did not allow enough development in scenes and characters. Personally, I think that the happenings in the Ancient Tomb were rather rushed and did not show enough relationship growth between Yang Guo and Xiao Long Nu, whereas the focus was put too much on a life of Li Mo Shou and the Lu family.
Just a quick comparison with ROCH84 here; although this older version had many made-up scenes, most of them were well done and more or less made sense (except Guo Jing's confession to Yang Guo about Yang Kang). Some were even very memorable and very much missed in the new version, such as the crystal episode. This, however, cannot be said for ROCH95. As stated earlier, any script changing could easily be detected because either it seemed out of character or simply lacked consistency from the rest.
Overall, both series had their gives and takes concerning story line. Wouldn't be great to combine them and make one perfect series?
Cast Selection:
Unfortunately, ROCH95 could not boast much on this subject. I personally prefer two sets of casts, the child Yang Guo and the adult Yang Guo, for simple reason: Louis Koo was really too tall and looked too old to play a 14-years-old boy. The childlike (or at least that was TVB tried to achieve) hairdo on Yang Guo and the Wu brothers only succeeded in making them look annoying and stupid, putting in mild term.
With a few exceptions, I like the old cast better. I felt that the cast in ROCH84 was more convincing in their respective roles. This was also due to nicer costumes in the 80's and good kungfu choreographies.
Costumes and Make-ups:
The costumes in ROCH95 were rather dull compared to those from ROCH84. Nonetheless, Xiao Long Nu's hair in the newer version was very natural and simple although her costumes in the older one were prettier and nicer. Make-up was heavier in the 80's, which is not always a bad thing, although I think that the newer look was more realistic.
Songs:
What can I say? The songs in the 80's era won hand down. Not only because they were nice, but also because there were many subsongs in one serial. One of my favorite scenes in ROCH84 was when the sundio song was played which was taken out from ROCH95. In general, songs in ROCH84 gave atmosphere of ancient series, whereas the themesong of ROCH95 sounded too modern.
On Acting:
I shall compare artists from the two versions in the same role. (1984 vs. 1995 roles)
Andy Lau vs. Louis Koo as Yang Guo (YG)
They both portrayed YG well although I might give an edge to Andy Lau as the younger YG and to Louis Koo as the more matured one. Each had good chemistry with his respective co-actress. In fact, Louis and Carmen were the only main assets of the series, whereas in ROCH84, there were many other supporting cast that were equally good as or better than Andy and Idy in acting.
Andy displayed a more rebellious side, whereas Louis showed more passion and a more matured side. However, Andy was more convincing in fighting scenes, and since the story focused on Yang Guo's prowess in martial arts, it was pitiful to not see much evidence of that in ROCH95. In fact, I only enjoyed the fighting choreography when done by other artists aside from Louis.
Idy Chan vs. Carmen Lee as Xiao Long Nu (XLN)
Carmen was probably the best reason to continue watching the series. She really brought life into it. Other support actors totally paled in comparison.
Admittedly, Carmen showed a cold side of XLN better than Idy did although one factor was really due to the script. However, I think that Idy's XLN showed more innocent and cuteness. Also, her beautiful costumes in the older version added to XLN's elegance and gracefulness. Whichever version, both actresses did very good job and were very compatible with their respective co-actors.
Leung Ga Yan vs. Bak Biu as Guo Jing (GJ)
Leung Ga Yan had a better aura as a respected hero Guo Jing although Bak Biu was all right too. Incidentally, the latter acted as young GJ in Legend of the Condor Heroes in the 70's. Personally, I would have loved to see Felix Wong acted as the older GJ though.
Au Yeung Pui San vs. Wei Qiu Hua as Huang Rong (HR)
The former fitted more in HR role both in beauty and intelligence look. Huang Rong in the newer version seemed too weak and not so cunning, rather inconsistent from the younger HR. Together with Leung Ga Yan, Au Yeung Pui San showed a lot of chemistry and really graced the older version with their significant roles. She really brought the Barbara Yung's HR into mind.
I didn't see much chemistry displayed between the new GJ and HR in ROCH95. A lot of the time GJ just looked too haggard and too weak for a hero.
The Five Greats:
Kenneth Tsang vs. Lok Ying Kwan as Huang Yao Shi; Lau Dan vs. Lau Dan as Hong Qi Gong; Yeung Jak Lam vs. Chu Tit Wo as Ou Yang Feng; Chun Wong vs. Wayne Lai as Zhou Bo Tong; and Lau Siu Ming vs. Li Han Chi as Yi Deng Dai Si.
Kenneth Tsang had more presence as East Eccentric, and so did Yeung Jak Lam as West Venom. But, I missed Chun Wong as ZBT the most. Wayne Lai's version was very annoying, not to say in the least that his make up was so inadequate that he did not look like an old man at all.
The Ladies in love with Yang Guo:
I only preferred Maggie Cheung as Cheng Ying to the older cast from ROCH84. In my humble opinion, I think the women in the old cast were more beautiful on the whole. Although Gigi Fu's Guo Fu was prettier than the actress in the 84 version, she was rather too mild and not bratty enough. There was also too little development on Yelu Yan and Wan Yanping.
Lui Yau Wai vs. Suet Li as Li Mo Shou
Both of them were great actresses. However, I felt that Lui Yau Wai was colder and fiercer than Suet Li's Li Mo Shou. As a matter of fact, the tone of the ROCH95 was in a less intense degree than that of the ROCH84.
Simon Yam vs. Zhan Bing Xi as Ye Lu Qi
Who could compete with Simon as the perfect gentleman? Zhan Bing Xi was really a miscast for Ye Lu Qi character. He didn't carry himself heroic enough. A lot of time, he just looked sulky and walked slumpily. I was glad that he didn't have much screen time. Added to that, the newer version's Mongolian costumes and hairdo made him look like a clown.
Kent Tong vs. Lo Chan Shun as Huo Du
Maybe because Kent had more screen as the prince Huo Du than the other, but it could also be that Kent had more charisma and more princely looking that made I like his acting more. Lo Chan Shun was another miscast for this character.
Cheung Lui vs. Liu Jia Hui as Golden Wheel Monk
It is hard to decide which I dislike more between a monk with pointy fake bald head (ROCH84) and a monk with no monk outfit (ROCH95). I can't complain on their actings but wished that they got better deal in costumes and make up department.
The Fighting Sequences:
Each version had its merits and drawbacks. However, I felt that Andy's YG was stronger and more natural during fight sequences. Is it probably because Louis Koo had no kungfu background compared to Andy Lau? I enjoyed the hand-to-hand fighting in ROCH84, but at the same time, I like a few scenes that had more daring choreography due to the use of computer graphic.
Most of fighting scenes in ROCH95 were cheesy; sometimes with camera swinging around. And what's up with those lizard-like computer graphic? Seemed that they became trademark of the 90's era serials since they are in practically every recent series.
Interesting enough, most exciting fighting scenes did not involve Louis Koo's YG, which really lowered the quality of the serial as the viewers were left with hollow impression on the new YG's martial skills.
The Extras and Background:
More extras seemed to be added in ROCH95 although they were still not enough in my opinion. The indoor background was a little better than that from the older version though still fake. The condor in this series was pathetic, probably even worse than the condor in the 84 version. There was a good attempt on TVB part in trying to explain the condor's plumpness, but that line uttered by YG didn't make much sense and was not logical (i.e. "The condor was too heavy to fly.").
Well-done Scenes:
Not necessarily better or worse than those in the older version; the following were just worth a few comments.
* Wah Shan - the duel between West Venom and North Beggar
Better than the one in ROCH84 and probably the only scene that I like Louis displaying Kung Fu.
* Guo Jing saving the villagers
Nice choreography, more detailed than the older version although I think that Leung Ga Yan's arrow shooting style was more commendable.
* Yang Guo's training with the condor
I like the details, which was not in the ROCH84. Louis Koo showed good promising in acting career, which made up for his inadequate martial arts displays.
* Xiao Long Nu's Left-Right Technique
I didn't expect Carmen Lee to look so good in fighting scenes. She looked convincing as a skilled martial artist. It's a pity that the same couldn't be said for Louis for all his tall build and cool look.
