Based on the 2001 television series, A Step into the Past, which was based on Wong Yee's novel, The Chronicles of Searching Qin BACK TO THE PAST is a continuation of the story that has Ken getting out of prison and traveling back in time with a squad of armed men in order to become the Qin Emperor. However there are complications including Louis Koo.
I never saw the original series, not have I read the source novel and I know it worked against my fully enjoying the film. I say this because so much of the film references earlier events and complications...for example Koo and the rightful Emperor have a very complex relationship that made me wonder why they put up with each other. I know this would have made more sense if I had seen what went before.
At the same time the film kind of suffers from a slight dumbing down of events. What was once a complex soap opera has been simplified to action fodder minimalism. Characters a sketched. Everything is aimed toward moving us into a series of action set pieces. This would be fine if the action was top of the line, but the truth is it all seems like it's a half step too slow and sublimented by just okay CGI.
Don't get me wrong it's entertaining in a popcorn on a Sunday afternoon sort of way, but it doesn't find a place deep in our hearts.
I should mention that while the film runs 107 minutes, the film ends 90 minutes and then gives us an alternate time line ending. I found it amusing, but I like the original better.
If you are a fan of the original series or want a good, but mindless action film give BACK TO THE PAST a look.
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