The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber (2003 & 2009)

The Heavenly sword and Dragon saber

The heavenly sword and Dragon saber is the final part of the Condor trilogy by Yin Jong (Louis Cha). The second part is about the child of Yang Kang and Nianci Mu and we get to know more of what happened to Gou Jing and Huang Rong.  In this final part the only thing that connects it to the other two parts is the manuals hidden in the two weapons.  This story is about a couple originating from opposing sects and the life of their son, once they are killed when they return to the mainland. 

2009 version

2003 version

I started watching the Heavenly sword and Dragon saber with the 2009 version because it was the one I could find at the time.  But I have to say, I did not get very far before I had to stop and started with the 2003 version.

2003 and 2009 version of Zhang Wuji & Zhao Min

The things I liked particularly about the 2009 version were Zhao Min's costumes, the fight during her first meeting with Zhang Wuji, some of the battles, some scenes, and the real under water scene.  But the reason I stopped watching despite it having things I liked was because it was confusing. My god was it confusing. From the very beginning, I had a hard time following, so I think it was made for people who are already familiar with the story and just want to see the memorable parts. I only realized how confusing after staring to watch the 2003 version.  

The 2003 version did the story so that one could understand it as a whole. So, it would cut to one group and go to another. So as to get an idea of the whole picture.  The 2009 version even the very next scenes and actions sometimes made no sense. Especially when it came to set up. I really loved the Wudan temple in the 2009 because it was a real temple and not a set and it was beautiful.  But how the temple was built made very little sense for how the action happened.  For example, Zhang Wuji was kidnapped then brought to the temple but then he suddenly appears coming from within the temple. But none of the kidnappers had been allow into the temple. So how did he get in?  There were many scenes like this.  

I also think the 2003 version of the villain was a little more menacing and scary to me. He just seemed like he had a hand in everything setup and that was scary. I also think both Zhang Wuji were good, though in some scenes I felt the 2009 actors portrayed more emotions.  Both Zhao Min were okay for me. I particularly liked the fight scene from 2009 when he comes for the antidote.  Though I still did not find it clear has to why Zhang Wuji fell in love with Zhao Min.
But the 2009 version had a few cute scenes between them that you could stretch to mean they were falling in love.

2003 and 2009 version Zhou Zhirou

Zhou Zhirou in the 2003 was a lot more menacing than the other one and you actually knew what was happening with her.  I also liked the design of the weapons better.  I also liked the relationship between Yang Buhui and the Sixth Uncle.  The show made sure to discuss all the questions that needed to be asked and I liked how it resolved between them . 

Though I loved the scene from the 2009 version, where the Sixth Uncle tried to killed himself and Buhui saved him. But what followed just seemed completely out of the blue and unhealthy, if I had not seen the scenes depicting their relationship from the 2003 version, I would have continued to think that their relationship was toxic.  

Another things I didn't like in the 2009 version was what happened with Xiaozhan it came off very like she was completely manipulated into becoming to new sect leader. This made no sense the sect had already accepted the return of her mother by bowing to her. Instead it being a decision she wanted to make so she could be with her mother and save her friends.  Also I did not like Ying Li because she seemed mentally unstable.  

2003 version Zhang Wuji & Zhao Min

I also like they that there were actual portrayal of affection. I always prefer to see more display of affection than the usual fare of head on the shoulder and occasional holding of hands.  Especially, since in most Ancient Chinese series there are always declaration of undying love.

I would recommend this series for the 2003 version because the story made sense and flowed better.