Chapter 477 Premiere
9:58 am.
The lights in the theater finally dimmed. At this moment, most people relaxed their minds and bodies, ready to wait quietly for the movie to start.
But there are a few who do the opposite and turn from a relaxed attitude to a serious one.
This included Zhen Zidan. Almost as soon as the lights went out, he unconsciously straightened his back and fixed his eyes on the screen.
Starting with "Hero", China has tried to make some blockbusters in the past few years, most of which are costume action movies. However, those movies either do not use "action" as the main selling point, or invite artists from Hong Kong and Taiwan - Jet Li and Zhen Zidan are both beneficiaries.
Xu Kun's Operation Kunpeng clearly displayed the label of "action film", and the time background was directly set to the present, and the momentum was raised to an unprecedented level.
This is tantamount to cutting into the aorta of Hong Kong films.
Normally, the Hong Kong entertainment industry would definitely choose to hinder this film, and there would be no way it would be able to be released smoothly, let alone be released on a large scale in Hong Kong Island.
After all, destroying someone's financial resources is like killing their parents.
However, after the "Yan Z Gate" incident, no one in the Hong Kong circle dared to confront Xu Kun anymore - at least no one dared to do so openly.
Therefore, people like Donnie Yen who make a living by making "kung fu movies" can only wait and see with trepidation what the quality of the mainland's first kung fu blockbuster will be like.
If it was just ordinary stuff, then everyone would be happy, but if...
At this time, the opening credits had already started playing on the screen. Zhen Zidan immediately gathered his thoughts and concentrated his attention to ensure that he did not miss any details.
After the production company's opening credits, the movie begins with the male protagonist played by Xu Kun sweating profusely in a simple gym.
The camera first focused on Xu Kun's eight-pack abs that looked like they were cast in steel, then slowly rotated and zoomed in, perfectly showing off his bear-like physique and the exaggerated number of weighted discus.
"Brother Peng~"
At this time, someone outside the door shouted: "Someone is looking for you outside!"
Xu Kun slowly relaxed his arms, but the weighted discus still made a dull clanging sound when it hit the apparatus.
He pulled off the towel from around his neck, wiped the sweat off his face as he stood up and walked out. During this time, the camera kept his upper body fixed in the center, with wisps of white mist rising from his sweaty pectoral muscles, making him look even more powerful.
The person who just spoke only showed half of his shoulder in the camera.
…………
Originally Zhen Zidan was wondering, Xu Kun's base is a group of young girls, but he is making an action movie, so how can he make use of the advantages of his base?
It was not until he heard the screams of the girls in the back row that he suddenly realized what was going on. He was speechless in his heart. He was the winner of the Venice Film Festival Best Actor Award, but he actually prepared a scene of selling sex at the beginning of the film.
Zhen Zidan felt a little contemptuous in his heart, but he had to admit that this method was quite effective. At least the screams of the girls in the back row were getting louder and louder. From the sound of the girls, one could tell that their trip was worthwhile and the ticket price was well worth it.
…………
on screen.
As Xu Kun walked, he asked, "Who are you this time? Are you here to protest the shooting range disturbing the residents again?"
"He looks like a soldier. Could it be your comrade, Brother Peng?"
"Nonsense, if it were those bastards, would they still be able to wait outside obediently?"
When Xu Kun said this, he suddenly frowned and stopped, and asked suspiciously: "Who are you?"
As he asked this question, the camera quickly zoomed in and out, giving a close-up of the entire shooting range from a bird's-eye view. At the same time, a line of words was quickly typed in the center of the screen: September 2008, 9, 26:10.
…………
As this shot appeared, there were exclamations at the premiere, because this timeline was exactly the same as the real timeline, not a minute or a second different.
Zhen Zidan also sighed. It was hard to evaluate Xu Kun's directing skills for now, but this guy was really good at creating gimmicks. Just based on this point, he would never lose money when making commercial films.
…………
on screen.
After the close-up, the camera fell from the sky again and focused on the two officers walking towards Xu Kun.
"Wang Peng?"
The visitor asked Xu Kun very seriously, but before Wang Peng, played by Xu Kun, could answer, he took out his ID and said, "According to the order of our superiors, please come with us."
Xu Kun subconsciously put his legs together and raised his hand to salute, but just as he passed his shoulder, he stopped again and frowned, "I was fired a year ago for shooting prisoners..."
"It's urgent!"
Before he could finish his words, the officer turned aside and said, "Let's talk on the way if you have anything to say."
Seeing that Xu Kun didn't move, the officer raised his eyebrows and said, "Three-time champion of the military district competition, is this all you have?"
"I need to change my clothes, right?"
Xu Kun said this, turned around and walked back.
The camera returned to his monologue again. The actor, who only showed half of his shoulder, said in a low voice nervously, "Brother Peng, is it possible that we violated the taboo by taking our guests to Thailand for live-fire target practice?"
"Bullshit!"
Xu Kun said without even turning his head: "That's a legal business in Thailand. Can our sword really kill foreign officials?!"
As he spoke, he grabbed his coat from the metal wardrobe, sat on the hard bed beside him and began to change his clothes.
At this time, the camera rotated half a circle like a fan, capturing the situation in the room. Most of the room was filled with various training equipment, and some model guns were piled up on the table and against the wall.
In the innermost corner was a single bed and several metal cabinets - even the bedside cabinet was made of iron, and on it were cluttered ashtrays, lighters, cups, teapots, and a photo that was so clean that it looked a little out of place.
The photo shows a group photo of more than a dozen soldiers. Xu Kun is standing in the middle with his shoulders folded. He has the rank of major with two bars and one star on his shoulders.
After the camera froze on the photo for two seconds, Xu Kun had already put on his clothes, strode out and closed the door behind him, while also blocking the camera lens with the door.
The next second, the door in front was opened again. Xu Kun stepped forward and sat on the bench with ease. As the camera turned, the scene switched to a black Iveco explosion-proof troop carrier.
Before Xu Kun could speak, the officer handed over a stack of information.
Xu Kun raised his eyebrows, and although he was a little reluctant, he still took the information and started reading it.
At the same time, the camera cuts away slightly, and first on the side wall of the explosion-proof troop carrier, the words "Xu Kun's Works" appear in large letters.
Then the camera continued to zoom out, and the list of producers, screenwriters, leading actors and other main creative staff appeared outside the car, on the roof, on the overpass, and in the blue sky and white clouds.
Except for the first few items where Xu Kun's name is not listed as a producer, the others are all led by Xu Kun.
After the blue sky and white clouds, the camera returned to the car, and the scenery that was changing in the car window slowly stopped. When the last producers Wang Zhonglei and Chen Xuebin appeared, another time line appeared: 26:11 on the 18th, which meant that Xu Kun had been in the car for more than an hour.
At this time Xu Kun suddenly looked up and asked: "How do we do this?"
Compared to before, his eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of blood.
The officer smiled and said nothing, but pushed open the back door of the troop carrier.
Xu Kun also jumped down without hesitation. At this time, the camera zoomed out again. Six troop carriers were parked side by side in front of a barracks, but only five of them opened their doors one after another.
At this moment, the four big words "Operation Kunpeng" suddenly appeared, and were immediately smashed to pieces by Xu Kun who was striding forward.
Xu Kun was originally walking towards the barracks, but halfway there he suddenly turned to the only troop carrier that was not opened and opened the back door without saying a word.
The two officers and a man in plain clothes inside all looked over in astonishment.
Xu Kun stared at the man in plain clothes. The man in plain clothes seemed to realize something. He lowered his head a little bit and stammered like a quail: "My girlfriend is pregnant. We are discussing the marriage..."
bang~
The car door was slammed shut and the camera went dark.
When the door was opened again, Xu Kun had already led four other people into the meeting room in the barracks.
A general with gray hair but a straight back glanced at the five people and said in a sonorous voice: "A retired veteran and teacher, when he should have been enjoying his old age, resolutely took the risk of great danger to go deep into the Golden Triangle to lurk for the sake of the country and the nation."
After a pause, he said in a deep voice, "Eleven years of hard work and 900 important news reports! I think those of you who have worked in the border defense force should understand what these two numbers mean!"
Just as Xu Kun was about to speak, Zhao Wenzhuo stood at attention and saluted, asking, "Excuse me, why are we the retired soldiers?"
"Because this is an overseas operation and involves sensitive areas, the approval process will be more troublesome, and what we lack most is time. According to the information passed back by the informant, the big D tycoon Sang Ken has invited various forces in the Golden Triangle to prepare to execute Mr. Fu in public at a dinner in three days - no, two days!"
"That is to say..."
Zhao Wenzhuo wanted to continue asking, but Xu Kun interrupted him and said, "Go through Thailand. It's closer to Sangken's territory and more concealed."
"This……"
The old general hesitated and said, "Entering the Golden Triangle from Thailand is indeed closer to Sangken's territory, and it is also more concealed, but weapons and ammunition..."
“I can get it from Thailand.”
Xu Kun said without hesitation: "Speed is of the essence in war. Even if our equipment is a little worse, I believe we can overcome it! We can look up relevant information on the way. Please send a few people who are familiar with the situation to go to Thailand with us so that they can tell us more about the situation on the way."
The old general was stunned for a moment, then took a deep breath and said to Xu Kun: "On behalf of the country, the people, and the troops, I want to express to you..."
"No need!"
Xu Kun interrupted him rudely and said coldly: "I just don't want the real hero to bleed and cry."
As he said that, he turned to look at the others: "Wang Peng, former captain of the Clouded Leopard Special Forces, I provided the line equipment. I will take the lead this time. Do you have any objection?"
"You are Wang Peng?!"
Baoqiang's voice was so excited that it almost shrieked: "I heard that you have won the championship of the military region competition for three consecutive times!"
Although Zhang Jin and Yang Junyi did not speak, it seemed that they had heard of Xu Kun's name for a long time.
"Humph~"
Zhao Wenzhuo sneered and turned his head away from Xu Kun.
Baoqiang was puzzled when he saw this: "What is he doing..."
Xu Kun grinned: "He is the second in command for a thousand years."
Baoqiang suddenly realized and introduced himself: "My name is Xu Sanduo, and I used to be a captain scout under Lao A!"
The plot here is obviously a reference to "Soldier Assault".
Zhang Jin and Yang Junyi also quickly introduced themselves, one was a sniper and the other was good at fire support.
When the three of them finished speaking and looked at Zhao Wenzhuo, Zhao Wenzhuo said, "Fighting, firearms, infiltration, and driving are my strengths. I can speak Thai, Burmese, and Vietnamese fluently."
Then he looked at Xu Kun provocatively.
Xu Kun asked in confusion, "Why did you retire too?"
Zhao Wenzhuo's eyes flickered, and he was about to make an excuse, but then the old general came over, took the initiative to extend his hand to Xu Kun and said, "If you can successfully complete the mission this time, I will let you return to the army."
Xu Kun opened his mouth, as if he wanted to refuse, but he couldn't bear to do so. His expression changed over and over again, but in the end he couldn't utter the word "no". In the end, he silently held the old general's hand.
Seeing this, the old general put his other hand on the back of Xu Kun's hand and said solemnly: "On October 1st, I want to personally send Mr. Fu to participate in the National Day parade."
“This is what the old man deserves!”
Xu Kun answered decisively, and the other four nodded silently, and everyone seemed to have fire burning in their eyes.
"Don't worry, when you are carrying out your mission, the military district will try its best to provide assistance and will never let you..."
As the old general's voice gradually became lower, the camera gradually moved higher, and soon it came above the clouds and hovered next to a civilian airliner.
Through the oval window of the plane, you can see five members of the rescue team gathered around a middle-aged man, whispering and discussing something.
…………
At this point in the movie, the early background of the whole play has been almost explained.
Zhen Zidan silently took stock in his mind. In the opening section, Xu Kun's editing was quite sharp and the transitions were also very good. In less than ten minutes, he told the whole story and transitioned the scene from China to Thailand.
Moreover, through this plot, several main characters are also highlighted, especially the personality traits and past experiences of the male protagonist.
Although the whole process is a bit rushed and lacks some foreshadowing compared to a feature film, the sense of urgency is rendered well enough for most viewers to overlook its flaws.
However, what caught Zhen Zi's attention the most was the dialogue skills of the "old general". The line "Eleven years of fighting on the edge of a knife, 900 reports of important news" made people's blood boil.
Of course, Xu Kun, the Venice Film Festival winner, also gave an outstanding performance. In just a few minutes, he established the character of a tough and action-oriented man.
At the same time, it also leaves the suspense of why the male protagonist was fired.
Coupled with the main plot of rescuing the undercover old hero, this opening is undoubtedly a success for a commercial film.
But it is far from enough for an action movie. At least Zhen Zidan cares more about his performance in fighting scenes.
(End of this chapter)
