The movie version of “A Thousand Bones” has failed to capture the attention of audiences, leading to public apologies from the film director Zhang Chaoli. The Xianxia TV series IP, which gained immense popularity nine years ago, has not been able to replicate its success on the big screen. Despite the strong audience base the TV series had built, the movie version has received negative reviews and turned off many viewers.
The original TV series was a trendsetter in the Xianxia genre, captivating audiences with its fresh character relationships and beautiful visuals. Stars Zhao Liying and Huo Jianhua became iconic figures in the Xianxia drama world, and the filming locations even became popular travel destinations. However, the landscape of the entertainment industry has changed over the past nine years, and the same character stories and plot settings no longer resonate with audiences as they once did. The film’s attempt to find emotional resonance with today’s audiences has fallen flat, failing to connect with a more mature and discerning audience.
In addition to the changing audience preferences, the production level of “A Thousand Bones” has also been called into question. As a fairy-themed work, the TV series was well-received for its beautiful scenery and elaborate special effects. However, the movie version lacks the “hardware” needed to support the plot. Many special effects scenes come off as cheap, especially the action scenes that have been heavily promoted.
In a time when the film industry is rapidly industrializing, with benchmarks set by blockbuster films like “The Wandering Earth” and “Feng Shen,” the movie “A Thousand Bones of Flowers” has fallen behind in terms of production quality.
The failure of the movie version of “A Thousand Bones” serves as a cautionary tale about the changing landscape of the entertainment industry and the need for more than just a popular IP to succeed on the big screen.