Having missed its theatrical run, I finally caught Zhang Ruoyun’s “Safe Journey to the 21st Century” on a streaming platform. After watching it, I have to say, the creativity is off the charts! It’s a shame I didn’t experience it in the cinema.
Perhaps some were deterred by the title, but this movie is a wild ride. Let’s dive into what makes it so captivating.
The Mind-Bending Plot
The biggest draw of this film is undoubtedly its sheer inventiveness.
Time-Traveling Sneezes and Apocalyptic Futures
Imagine three teenagers from 1999 who discover they can travel twenty years into the future with a sneeze. Learning about their future selves, they face a pivotal choice. But the real kicker? They find out that a villain from the future is poised to destroy humanity.
A Two-Front Battle Across Time
To prevent this apocalypse, they decide to fight simultaneously in both timelines. This premise alone is incredibly imaginative.
The Unexpected Culprit
The climax is truly something else. Zhang Ruoyun’s character realizes that the ultimate villain gained his powers from a stolen arcade game card from 20 years ago.
Rewriting History, One Game Card at a Time
He travels back to reclaim the card from the future villain, who was just a regular guy back then, and introduces him to some mature content. Returning to the future, he finds that the villain hasn’t become a world-destroying menace but a harmless “deadbeat otaku.”
This solution is so absurd and unexpected that it works perfectly. As a sci-fi film, “Safe Journey to the 21st Century” is both imaginative and logically consistent within its own universe.
Zhang Ruoyun’s Energetic Performance
Zhang Ruoyun’s portrayal of the protagonist can be described in two words: “Chuunibyou” or, more simply, “passionate.”
An Old Soul in a Young Body
He embodies the spirit of an 18-year-old trapped in a 38-year-old’s body, and his youthful energy feels genuine.
A Memorable Scene
One of his best moments is when he bursts into an office building to save Zhong Chuxi’s character, tearing down computer cables and leaping out of the building with reckless abandon. He perfectly captures the passion and impulsiveness of youth.
A Talented Cast
It’s impressive that Zhang Ruoyun, now in his middle age, can still convincingly portray this youthful energy. Wu Xiaoliang, as the villain, also delivers a compelling performance, continuing his streak of memorable antagonist roles. Zhong Chuxi and Zhu Yan Manzi also shine in their respective roles.
With a talented cast and a unique premise, “Safe Journey to the 21st Century” was a pleasant surprise. While some may find it cliché, I believe it’s a sign of the growing diversity and boldness in Chinese cinema, from “Journey to the West” to this film.
A healthy film market should offer a variety of genres and embrace imagination. What do you think of “Safe Journey to the 21st Century”? Let’s discuss!