This movie is enjoyable from the first scene to the last, surprising considering that most "gamer" movies tend to fizzle out about half way through. The main character Bei Weiwei (Angelababy / Angela Yeung Wing) could not have been played better. Angelababy is cast in a very feminine and cute role, but brings out the strength, character and competence of both the real life and game life of Bei. Boran Jing does a good job of playing the reserved and stoic role of Xiao Nai, the #1 player in the game. Both players and their avatars are realistically portrayed in a splendid mix of fantasy and reality.
Although cliché, I enjoyed the special way this movie often combined the real world with the game world (although one scene featuring portals on a bridge jumped the shark a bit). Despite the gamer/fantasy setting of the virtual world, the fantasy characters and "real life" character both are played very well. The supporting characters are somewhat cliché as well, though acted well enough. The fact that the movie requires the supporting characters mostly as comic relief and moral support is the one weakness of the story-line, although that is forgivable considering the genre. An Asian movie without such characters would be somewhat of an unexpected let-down.
The story-line is not strong, but strong enough to both keep the viewer entertained and present a morality play as well. It's nice to see a movie that doesn't take tired, over-used side-trips during the main plot. The developing romance between the online avatars and the unwitting Weiwei is enjoyable to watch from the spectator's seat. Much in this is predictable but enjoyable nonetheless.
It's not a perfect film, nor a tear-jerker or film of the year. It just a very enjoyable romantic gamer film with excellent special effects and a script that for once succeeds in an over-used and often-abused genre. If you can understand the concept of mixing gaming and romance I fully expect you will enjoy this film very much.
