I have no idea how Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon hit my radar. I probably liked the combo of martial arts and monsters. I watched Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon blissfully ignorant of the titular character, the genre, the time period or whether there was a broader background historical context.
Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon actually had a more intricate and engrossing multilayered plot than I expected. First, there is the story of the titular character having to adjust to the challenges of his new job and gain the trust of his colleagues and superiors despite his shady past. Second, during wartime, there is a sea dragon that is attacking the empire’s navy, and it has to be stopped. Third, there is a humanoid monster, who seems connected to a courtesan, and mysterious figures seem to want to capture the beauty and the beast. Fourth, there is a coup being plotted within the government against the empire. All the stories get tied together beautifully, and the ensemble has great chemistry.
I did have to adjust to a lot of unfamiliar fantasy elements that have nothing to do with magic and more to do with science fiction logic regarding how poison and medicine works within the world of Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon. Once I calibrated my expectations of how things worked, I had fewer problems following the plot. Visually Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon is reminiscent of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but the narrative has fantasy elements that can be explained by this universe’s rules of medicine like humorism. Just accept that parasites alter physical appearance. There are some random allusions to the Island of Dr. Moreau that will blow your mind, but it is never explained, just another part of this world.
I know nothing about Chinese history or government bureaucracy. Apparently Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon is set during the Tang dynasty. They are at war with the Fuyu kingdom. I have no idea if the Dondo language speakers were independent from or a part of the Fuyu kingdom. I did understand that they were against the empire. Even though I did not completely understand the Dondo speakers’ ultimate allegiance, it did not stop me from enjoying or understanding the overall plot of Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon. Side note: why did the head of Da Lisi randomly have red hair? Was it symbolic of his
Even though Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon’s plot aims to protect the empire, there is plenty of satirical humor directed at the rulers and the bureaucracy. If you see the film, the prescription to a poison seems like revenge-motivated wish fulfillment although it is ultimately harmless and beneficial.
Ultimately Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon is a fun, trippy action adventure jaunt meets fantastical period piece. Who doesn’t need a horse race on the ocean against a sea dragon?!? Even though the CGI isn’t seamless, it is enjoyable. The acting is solid, and the fighting is well done.
The big surprise for me came after I finished watching Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon and discovered that it is a prequel to Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, which I immediately added to my queue. After watching Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, I preferred Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon. Regardless I would love a film franchise of the character.
I was also shocked to discover that the titular character is loosely based on a real life judge and chancellor named Di Renjie. He became the hero of an 18th century Chinese novel series, which later became TV series and video games. People compare him to Sherlock Holmes, but maybe Sherlock Holmes ripped off Detective Dee. So Di Renjie got the Keanu Reeves’ 47 Ronin treatment in this far superior fantasy action movie franchise. Can you imagine how people will imagine Sonia Sotamayor or Loretta Lynch in the future?!? Ladies, you’re going to be action heroes!