The classic wuxia novels written by the late Louis Cha, better known by his pen name Jin Yong, are a popular source of inspiration when it comes to films, TV series and even comics adaptations. Therefore it is not a surprise that this version, produced by iQIYI, China's most-watched video streaming giant network is yet another adaptation from Yong's “Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain” which was first serialized in the local papers back in 1959.
Watch The Hidden Fox on iQIYI
Set during the Qing Dynasty, Lord Tian Gui Nong, a descendant of one of the four bodyguards of the short-lived Emperor Li Zi Cheng of the previous Shun Dynasty, believes that bodyguard Hu Yi Dao (Wu Sha Chiang) has the map to a huge hidden treasure and together with his henchmen Tao Bai Sui (Ray Lui) and Bao Shu (Chun Yu Shan Shan), plots a scheme to retrieve it. In order to manipulate expert swordsman Miao Ren Feng (Chen Hao Nan) into a duel with Hu, they have his wife killed and blame it on Hu. Not knowing that Tian had spiked their weapons with poison, the deadly confrontation comes to a tragic end with both swordsmen dead and the treasure map disappeared.
Fast forward ten years and the map somehow reappears and ends up in the hands of Tian through Gui Yu, the young follower of Bao Shu. After learning the location of the treasure which is in the Flying Fox Snowy Mountain, he quickly sends out his entourage of eight villains led by Tao and Bao to retrieve it. However, they have to find a key hidden in a tavern first before carrying on and that is where they also learn about the legend of the Flying Fox, the guardian of the treasure. Furthermore, knowing that their unscrupulous boss Tian will only reward one party and now that everyone seems to have a hidden agenda and becomes untrustworthy, the treasure hunt suddenly turns into a more dangerous game.
As an online production, this collaboration between Qiao and producer Lu Yang, best known for his “Brotherhood of Blades 1 and 2” and “A Writer's Odyssey”, looks amazing with an added texture of a theater film. The super slick visuals are impressive, the backdrops, the sets, both indoor and outdoors as in the case of the frozen mountain, forests and the huge halls are equally convincing. Besides, the CGI effects blend in nicely to further enhance the film's mood. The jianghu, the martial arts world setting created by both Qiao and Lu is that of a chillingly lonely and hostile but at times beautiful world indeed.
Interestingly, Asian screen veteran Ray Lui who starred in the Hong Kong TV series adaptation back in 1985 as both Hu Yi Dao and Hu Fei now plays villain Tao Bai Sui, the main team leader. Emily Chen Ze Han has the most memorable moment as his team member Zheng San Niang, a killer who uses razor-sharp strings as weapon. Fittingly portrayed by Chun Yu Shan Shan, the equally ruthless villain Bao Shu and second in command, flavors using his bare hands like blades to kill. Interestingly, his two tag-along young disciples Qing Wen (Chen Yi Si) and Gui Yu (Zhao Hua Wei) turn out to be the most intriguing characters, with hidden identities who drive the film's many twists and turns.
Designed by the action team of Cao Hua and Cheng Chuan Yong, the extraordinary fight sequences plus their extensive deployment of wire work, slow motion, freeze frame and jump cuts are executed basically to create maximum impact and beauty. In particular, as showcased in the deadly duel on a river bank between Hu and Miao, besides using a variety of split screens they also make great use of the environment like the snow and the tall grass. There are actually no foxes in this production as suggested in its title but a group of CGI hyenas the characters have to duel with are surprisingly convincing.
Even though highly condensed with a narrative that mainly focuses on treasure hunting instead of the feuds between the four bodyguards' families as written in Jin Yong's original novel, nonetheless, this iQUYI production is still a positively entertaining wuxia with a good serve of action throughout and equally captivating visuals.
