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Raman Hui‘s attempt to adapt the novel, The Tiger’s Apprentice, to become a possible new animated franchise sort of works. When it’s supposed to look at Chinese folk beliefs, what’s shown feels quite light. It lacks that sense of wonder which Light Chaser Animation‘s works excels at. The differences is well explored with the home video release due to the bonus content, and although this film has its heart in the right place, I wished it could’ve done more with why Ming yun (destiny) matters.
Tom Lee (Brandon Soo Hoo) must be ready to become the next guardian and when he’s not even sixteen yet, the force determined to kill him must do so before the coming of every Lunar New Year. Most people know that a select group of animals represent each lunar cycle, and I get the sense that Loo (Michelle Yeoh) is not picky on when to destroy him. I’m also not sure if she’s been trying those few weeks before the end of every twelve months, but if she doesn’t do so quickly, he’ll be strong enough to defeat her! That sense of urgency isn’t conveyed, because during this film, the last time she successfully chased the boy down is during the Year of the Ox.
Continue reading “The Tiger’s Apprentice Mewling Roar. Looking into the Bold Differences.”
