Introduction"Heavenly Sword" is a computer-animated action-adventure movie directed by Gun Ho Jang in 2014, produced by Blockade Entertainment and based on Sony's video game of the same name established by Ninja Theory. The film revolves around the magical, ancient sword that guarantees enormous power to its wielder, leading lots of to have a hard time for its control.
PlotThe movie starts with the introduction of the legendary Heavenly Sword, a weapon said to have actually been created by the gods themselves. The sword contains tempting powers that everyone aspires to possess. The smart leader of the clan, Master Shen, protects the sword, and a prophecy specifies that a Chosen One, a savior will wield it.
The primary protagonist Nariko, Master Shen's daughter, aspires to be that picked hero, trained in martial arts from a young age. However, she is treated as an outcast and a curse due to a misinterpretation of the prophecy. Nariko's more youthful embraced sister, Kai, is the only one who really cares for her.
DisputeTheir tranquil life is interrupted when an evil and enthusiastic King Bohan seeks the Heavenly Sword to please his insatiable greed for power. His army attacks the clan, leading to a brutal battle. The Heavenly Sword happens to fall under Nariko's hands, and she becomes its momentary custodian.
Nariko's BattleNariko, with Kai and the Heavenly Sword, embarks on a journey to protect the sacred sword and keep it from falling into the hands of the evil king. Cast in a critical role she didn't ask for, Nariko needs to confront her fears and face her fate against Bohan's army.
ConclusionNariko battles Bohan's forces and his boy Roach, eventually confronting and defeating the king himself in a last showdown. However, wielding the Heavenly Sword drains her life energy, and in the end, Nariko sacrifices herself to secure the world from impending destruction. Her honorable death enhances her as the real "Chosen One". The movie concludes with a wholehearted bye-bye between the dying Nariko and Kai, ending on a melancholic note.
General Reception"Heavenly Sword" was usually met with mixed reviews upon release. While the story and colorful graphics appealed to fans of the original video game, others felt that it did not have depth and did not totally check out the relationships and character advancement. Critics also lamented the rushed narrative, however praised the strong female lead and impressive action sequences that stayed real to its computer game roots. The film was acknowledged for bridging the gap between computer game and cinema, opening possible for additional adjustments in the future.
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