Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time is a romantic fantasy drama film, hinging on a beautiful but tragic love story that transcends three lifetimes and several centuries. Released in 2017, the film is a visual spectacle of Chinese cinema, directed by Anthony LaMolinara and Xiaoding Zhao, and boasts a star-studded cast including Liu Yifei, Yang Yang and Xingxu Chen.

Liu Yifei, also known globally for her role in the 2020 live-action film "Mulan," and Yang Yang, known for his earnest performances in popular dramas such as "Love O2O," take the lead in this film. They are ably supported by Xingxu Chen, who's known for his nuanced performances in several TV shows and films.

Based on the popular Chinese novel 'Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms' by Tang Qi Gong Zi, the film weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of reincarnation, destiny, and undying love with a blend of mythology, making it a visual poem about eternal love.

The captivating and grand story of Once Upon a Time is set in a heavenly realm, where there exist immortal beings who maintain the balance between the mortal world below and their heavenly paradise above. This ethereal world stage sets the film's narrative as it dives deep into the immortals' extraordinary lives, love, and complications.

Liu Yifei portrays a character named Bai Qian, a pure and independent nine-tailed fox princess who hails from the Qing Qiu kingdom. Bai Qian, in all her beauty, grace, and essence, becomes the pivot around which the story swirls. Her character takes us into an exploration of the facets of immortality, power, and privileged existence.

Yang Yang essays the role of Ye Hua, the Crown Prince of the Celestial Tribe, who garners the deep respect of others thanks to his charisma, wisdom, and compassion. The complexities of his character is thoroughly explored and developed beautifully, taking us through the nuances of what it means to be a prince of the Heavenly realms.

The dynamic relationship between Bai Qian and Ye Hua, marked by their intertwining destinies, dominate the movie's storyline as they navigate through love, loss, betrayal and redemption, which forms the crux of Once Upon a Time. The deep and all-encompassing emotions between them are utterly captivating as viewers bear witness to the pure love they share.

No spoilers would be mentioned here, but the timeless narrative played out by Liu Yifei and Yang Yang, supported by Xingxu Chen, unfolds with breathtaking CGI, sweeping scenic views, resplendent costumes, and carefully orchestrated fight scenes. The otherworldly landscapes are potent narration tools, adding significant depth and dimension to the storyline.

Magnificent beauty of the scenes combined with the stirring performances and epic narrative make for compelling cinema that transports you into another world. The film has several well-choreographed sequences of combat, adding a thrilling action element to the romantic storyline that's bound to keep the audience on their edge of their seat.

As for the soundtrack of the film, it is mesmerizing, cleverly complementing the vibrant visuals of celestial cities, mythical creatures, and magical forest realms on screen. The songs add another layer to the storytelling, doubling the emotional impact of key scenes.

Once Upon a Time, drenched in fantasy, highlights the beauty of ancient Chinese mythology, filled with ethereal beings, mystical realms and cosmic wars. It explores themes of pre-destiny, the cyclical nature of life, and the enduring power of love across different lifetimes. It's an immersive cinematic journey leaving the audience emotionally touched and in awe of its visual splendor.

To sum it up, Once Upon a Time merges a stirring love story with thrilling action sequences and captivating visuals to create a fantastical melodrama that sets it apart from standard romantic movies. It's a testament to the potential of Chinese fantasy cinema and a love letter to mythical storytelling, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate romance entwined with mythology.