Okay so let me start by saying that this movie rocked hardcore. It was one of the best chinese movies I've seen in a long time and I've seen a lot of Chinese movies. First of all, the CGI. Any well seasoned historical c-drama watcher is probably aware of how bad the CGI in their dramas and movies usually are. Dont get me wrong we all love our flying characters and all but I'm pretty sure we've all gotten second hand embarrassment from sometimes watching those CGI involved scenes but the special effects here blew me away. Thats all I was talking about even after the movie was over and the people who watched it with me couldn't understand why but I'm sure you guys would. It was on point! The wings, oof the dark wings on Crimson Bird was the greatest thing ever. Hell Crimson Bird was the best character ever, all shirtless and long haired and badass! Second the acting, oof the casting was perfect! Everyone played their roles so perfectly well you could not picture another actor playing it, Deng Lun with his arrows dressed head to toe in dark leather is forever my weakness because damn but the man can play a cold emotionless character so very well which brings me to Mark Chao, I'm biased because I personally love the man as an actor but he also played his role so very well, he was the perfect polar opposite of Lun's character and the man with long flowy dark hair is just perfection, nothing more. Their little developed bromance toward the end was crazy adorable. I would've loved it so very much if the Mad Painter had a slightly bigger role just because I wanted to stare at Xua Kai just a little bit longer, the painted flowers on his face was the best idea they came up with. The movie itself was unceasingly well executed, easy to comprehend and follow because there wasnt an unnecessary amount of side characters taking away screen time and distracting the viewers. The action scenes were badass and the costumes were crazy appealing not to mention the make up. Overall this movie was a really great one in my opinion and I definitely recommend it. Closing note: I really love the actress who played the empress. She killed it.com