Don't confuse this movie with “The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity” directed by Guo Jingming, although they're both adapted from the same Japanese novel series “Onmyoji” written by Baku Yumemakura. This novel was so popular that the Chinese game developer NetEase Games decided to further adapt it into “Onmyoji”, a 3D role-playing video game set in Japan and it also became a massive hit. An adaptation of this video game into a feature was soon on the drawing board resulting in “The Yinyang Master”, nonetheless, with collaboration between the Huayi Brothers Media, CKF Pictures and NetEase Games.
In the fantasy world of ancient China, humans and demons live in harmony until Xiang Liu, an evil demon emperor, a serpent with nine heads decides to take control. However, the humans manage to defeat him and all demons are driven out to live in the Monster Realm while humans remain in Ping Jing city. They also establish a Yin Yang Bureau in which young men are trained to become Yin Yang masters to further safeguard the city. Moreover, with the aid of a powerful weapon, the Scaling Stone, they are able to retain peace.
Ci Mu, played by William Chan Wei Ting and Qing Ming (Chen Kun), a half-human and half-demon are two such masters and they're best mates. One night, while guarding the Scaling Stone, they're attacked by the Snow Queen. Unfairly blamed for the death of Ci Mu and other masters, Qing Ming has no choice but to escape from the Bureau, therefore making him a fugitive.
However, he reemerges seven years later and with the help of his gang of animals, robs a convoy containing gifts for the Emperor under the watch of Caption Guard Yuan Boya (Qu Chu Xiao). As it turns out, he has set up a forest safe house where he takes in demons and teaches combat skills to animals and everyone seems happy and content. Yuan, on the other hand, even with his rank being stripped off is still keen to arrest Qing Ming.
Meanwhile, the Snow Queen sends out her raven demons to steal the Scaling Stone. Although they succeed in their mission, due to the interception of the Yin Yang Bureau minster, Bai Ni (Zhao Xun), they fail to deliver the stone, which ends up in the hands of Qing Ming who returns it to Bai Ni. On the way back, she's attacked by the Snow Queen and her master Ci Mu, who's very much alive but has been faking his death all those years. The Scaling Stone has the power to turn him into a more powerful Demon King so he can rule both the human and the demon worlds. Now it's up to Qing Ming to save the two worlds but can he defeat Ci Mu and his army of demons?
“The Yinyang Master” is a visual feast and so full of life thanks to the work of production designer Yoshihito Akatsuka. The set designs of the fantasy world are beautifully realized; Qing Ming's forest sanctuary and the red tall tower in the Monster Realm particularly stand out and are rich in details. The demons and creatures are all very well designed with enough emotion and they blend into their background naturally. Overall, the special effects are stunning.
Chen Kun and Zhao Xun are veterans in the movie business and they share good chemistry on screen. Both are commanding actors and exhibit certain coolness and emotional range. Qu Chu Xiao is adequate as the young and brash Captain and is a good contrast to the cool character of Qing Ming. William Chan plays the main villain Ci Mu, but it's only a small role and we only see him at the end fight which is heavily CGI. One stand out digital character is the Red Demon who looks like a cross between a sumo wrestler and Hellboy, but he's rather lovable just the same.
Top it off with music from composer Shigeru Umebayashi, this is an entertaining fantasy movie with high production values and spectacular scenery. It's a remarkable achievement of CGI shots, real sets, adorable and vivid digital demons. Just enjoy the ride and get lost in this magical world.
