This is the first in a series of films about a legendary Chinese detective who
lived in the seventh Century AD. Several of the characters are based on people
who lived in the Tang Dynasty, but the story itself is fictional.
Wu Zetian has been ruling the Tang Dynasty for eight years, but she's delayed
her coronation until now. There have been open rebellions against her, because
it's considered unsuitable for a woman to rule. She's commissioned the
construction of a 70 meter tall Buddha statue overlooking her palace. The
Buddha has her face, as if to provoke her opponents.
Several of the court officials spontaneously burst into flame shortly before
the coronation. She releases Di Renjie (called Detective Dee in the film
title) from prison. He was jailed as a rebel eight years ago, although he
claims innocence. He was outspoken and told Wu Zetian that he didn't consider
her appointment as Empress rightful, but he insists that he never rebelled; he
only spoke his opinion. She knows she can trust his honesty and impartiality,
so she asks him to solve the mysterious murders.
While he's working to solve the case, Di Renjie is repeatedly approached by
officials who want his help in overthrowing the Empress, but he refuses.
Whatever his objections to her rights to rule might be, he respects her as the
de facto Empress and continues with the work given him.
If the film had been made as a historical epic, I would have enjoyed it more.
It has elements of a fantasy film, with supernatural beings who are
shape-changers. This grated. I'm in the minority with my opinion, because the
film and its sequels have been extremely successful in China.
Success Rate: + 0.6
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