Watching this series as a kid was inspiring. Looking back at the plot now, I found that the first part was really depressing from beginning to end. The confusion, weakness, ignorance, and infighting of the Chinese people are more chilling than the aggression of foreign enemies. The role of Yan Zhendong is not so much a villain as it is a complete tragedy. His death is like a microcosm, reflecting the people of the time. Even an idealized protagonist like Master Huang seems to be unable to escape the repressive background. A feeling of powerlessness like being strangled by the throat.
The classics of "Top Gun", "Men Be Self-improvement", and "The Lion King Contest" are not only in martial arts, but also in conception, and their themes are consistent and gradual. Rather than pointing the finger at the outside world, the emphasis is more on a growing sense of self-reflection.
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