Sitting down to watch the 2020 Chinese movie "Di Renjie Tan An" (aka "Detection of Di Renjie") here in 2022, I didn't know what I was in for, aside from it being one of those historical period era set Chinese movies. So director Francis Nam had every opportunity to entertain me with this movie.
However, it didn't take long before I had to stop watching the movie. Why? Well, simply because of the subtitles. Not only were they white with almost no black outlining, making it difficult to read against bright images on the screen, but they were also insanely fast. I lost so much meaning of the dialogue, because when the actor or actress stopped talking, the subtitle would be removed immediately. So I have to admit that I ended the ordeal prematurely, solely because so much was lost by not being able to have proper time to read the subtitles. I have seen more than my share of Asian movies with subtitles, but never have I experienced subtitles with such a short time on the screen.
Visually then "Di Renjie Tan An" was nice. Lots of attention to detail in the sets, props, costumes, make-up and such. It definitely felt very natural and believable what was shown on the screen.
I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in "Di Renjie Tan An", but they did actually perform quite well. Just a shame that the subtitles killed off the movie for me.
And truth be told, then given those lousy subtitles, then chances are zero that I will ever return to watch the rest of "Di Renjie Tan An".
My rating of director Francis Nam's 2020 movie "Di Renjie Tan An" lands on a three out of ten stars. The subtitles dragged the movie's rating way, way down for me.
5.0Plot summary
In Empress Wu's reign, there are several bizarre deaths in the capital city of Chang'an. The rumors of the Martyrs Shrine's "Flying Goddess Mural" murder case are getting worse. Di Renjie is ordered to investigate the case. He cracks the mystery of the mural based on the characteristics of the Flower Sermon, which leads to the murderer, Li Luoyu. Soon after, Li Luoyu commits suicide. After multiple investigations, Di finally finds out the true murderer.
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Ugh, the movie was destroyed by the subtitles...
good, but something is missing
Medium budget movie with simple but interesting plot, mixing CSI, period drama, matial arts and fantasy. One of the few chinese movies where soundtrack fits and draws your attention in the movie. Overall was not bad, however I found myself needing something more intense. 90min felt more like 120. In addition, the subs I had were passing too quickly for me to carefully read everything and I might have lost plot points. I liked however the type of the movie and I was hoping to see a prequel or sequel which indeed exist. I will definitely watch them, but alone (to avoid the feeling that I dragged my company to a boring one)