...so why not a good fantasy?
What I liked:
1. I love these old Chinese myths. And the computer graphics, while pretty klutzy, gave this story a beautiful romantic feeling.
2. Loved the Buddhist philosophy of kindness and compassion woven throughout.
3. I'm not a reptile person. But the snakes shown here were really appealing. They had sweet faces and a soft, gentle demeanor - at least when they were small. Even the large snakes weren't particularly scary.
4. There was something innocent and touching about this story.
What I didn't like
1. THE PLOT - Holes galore. Mind-numbing repetition. You've heard the saying: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." In this series, the same character pulls the same stunt over and over.
And the same oblivious fools go for it every time: "Oh, woe is me. I'm to blame. You tried to tell me, but I didn't believe you. Can you forgive me?" After the third or fourth time, I, for one, was praying for a divorce.
2. BAI - uncommunicative, and unknowable. Her ability to effectively state pertinent facts and feelings ranges from zero to none. Not a good idea to marry someone without first telling him/her that you're a demon, a snake, and 1000 years old.
3. XU XIAN - yes he's virtuous, yes, he's likable. He's also weak, feckless, boring, and something of a dimwit. He shows as much passion as a dried up prune. He's continually manipulated by the same whining, sniveling lowlife.
4. THE ROMANCE - These two (you know who I'm talking about) act like an old married couple before they're even married. "Dear, will you pass me the salt?" "Of course, Dear."
5. DEITIES - They act like arbitrary bullies. When justice is finally dispensed - a certain snaky character who has always been honest, sincere, kind, reverent, loving and virtuous is sent to the pokey. Another reptilian individual who frequently indulges in murderous rampages gets off scot free.
6. ENDING - rushed and inexplicable. Certain characters (Zhang Yutang) disappear without a trace and are never heard from again.
