In Mainland China, filmmakers are producing TV dramas and feature films like hot cakes since the Hong Kong film companies no longer can complete mainly because of the lack of funds and talent after production peaked in the 1980s. Released online by the iQIYI network “The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Dragon Tamer” is another adaptation of the work of popular wuxia novelist Jin Yong.
Set during the Sung Dynasty in which the Jin Empire is at war with the Han Chinese, Guo Jing (Geng Ye Ting) a young man raised in Mongolia is on his way to the central plains of China. While stopping at an inn for food, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan suddenly attack him but they are actually his teachers trying to test his fighting skills. Apparently, babies are being kidnapped and used in kung fu training which also involves poisonous snakes and that is why they are there to investigate.
After parting with his teachers, Guo meets a young woman Huang Rong (Lin Yan Rou), the daughter of Huang Yao Shi (Kwan Lai Kit) who lives on Peach Blossom Island. Before long, they learn that Western Venom, Ouyang Feng (Alex To Tak Wai) is responsible for the using of babies because of the practice of his evil art. Furthermore, the young couple soon takes a shine to each other and Guo decides to escort Huang back to her island. During their journey, they come across the Northern Bagger, Hung Qi Gong (Yue Dong Feng) who likes his food and since Hung keeps on offering him delicious meals, he in return teaches Guo the stances of the “Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms”.
Meanwhile, Feng and his nephew Ke also arrive at the Peach Blossom Island to propose a marriage but in reality they are after the highly sought “Nine Yin Scriptures”. However, Guo runs into the possessor of the book, the childish Old Imp, Zhou Bo Tong (Lam Chi Chung) who lets him study it and with that knowledge Guo manages to free them from their cave prison. Events after events later, the much stronger Guo finally comes face to face with the evil Feng during the sword tournament held on Mount Hua to determine who can become the best warrior in wulin (martial arts community).
Geng and Lin are newcomers in the Chinese film industry, and they do make a cute couple on screen as the main leads though they look like pop idols at times. Regardless, Geng is adequate in portraying the kind-hearted and royal but rather slow-witted Guo Jing. In contrast, Huang Rong is just the opposite and Lin does bring out her playful and carefree character besides being easy on the eye. The rest of the supporting cast does a reasonable job too even though they are not big names. Best known for his role in “Kung Fu Hustle” as the sidekick to Stephen Chow's character and the fat monk in “Shaolin Soccer”, Lam Chi Chung stands out the most as the childish Zhou Bo Tong who talks to his hands.
Unfortunately for Alex To Tak Wai who plays the main villain Ouyang Feng, his costume has reduced him to looking like the pirate Jack Sparrow right down to his eye shadows, head band, braided hair and ear rings, even so he is quite a memorable character. Likewise, that applies to the colorful outfits of the Seven Freaks too which make them look totally different and too modern. Furthermore, the big eye patches worn by their blind leader look like sunglasses at first glance.
However, the film does gain points in the set design department and the outdoor locations look great especially those sequences at the Peach Blossom Island. Also the use of the updated version of the original theme song and some soundtrack from the other TV versions are a welcome bonus which brings a bit of nostalgia to the mix. Consisted mostly of the chi inner energy variety assisted by CGI and wires, the action hardly stands out.
At a running time of ninety four minutes, it is impossible to do justice to the original novel; this fast- paced production feels like a condensed version with bits and pieces taken from the story. It will never satisfy those hardcore fans but it is rather entertaining in its light and compressed way.
I don’t like how They add an extra story Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Ke kidnapped babies for their kung fu cultivation. it seems to cruel for me.