Pamela Franklin, who serves on the Academy's Foreign Language and Animation committee, concurs, "I really liked it. I've seen a lot of animations, but this was much more action-oriented and epic."
"It was totally dynamic and fresh," says academy member Michael Peyser. "It took an early myth from Chinese culture and imbued it with a kind of impish humor."
"It was stunningly beautiful and very moving," says Valerie, a Writers Guild of America writer. "The storytelling felt Chinese, but it had the 'Cain and Abel' conflict between brothers that's universal."
Dee, a member of the American Cinema Editors Association, balanced her reaction, "It was a very effective film. My one critique is that, as a new director, he put a little of every style into it. As he develops, he will use his own specific style for each film."
Many felt the film's message went deeper.
Actress Zhang "Sharon" Shuo says, "It was nuanced and clever, melding traditional and new elements very well. Its message is the same thing I learned from studying tai chi: you learn you can change your destiny. We have the power within us to do what's good."
Hoda Meisamy, a member of the Costume Designer Guild who studied Taoism at the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing, says, "What I've learned from Taoism is that you can change your fate by actually being yourself. Don't battle to change yourself, just battle to be the best of who you already are."
Somewhat biographically, director Jiao Zi had to find himself to make it through the hard times and climb the many hurdles he faced before getting the chance to do his own animated feature.
"In order to pursue your dreams, you must be able to bear a lot of outside pressure and be willing to struggle," he advises.
Glen Chaika, an American animation director who did one of the first Chinese CGI (Computer-generated imagery) movies back in 2002, had high praise for hardworking Chinese animators. He says, "Chinese animation has grown so much since I first started teaching. They love rich textures, extravagant lighting effects, stunning visuals, and this one has it all."
Well Go USA Entertainment released the Mandarin-language film with English and Chinese subtitles in selected 3D IMAX theaters across the United States and Canada on Aug 29, followed by a release in regular theaters on Sept 6.
