Yu Dong Defends 'Jiaolong Action' Amidst Backlash and Controversy
In a bold move, Yu Dong, the producer of the film "The Jiaolong Action," has come out swinging in defense of his movie. Amidst a barrage of negative reviews on the popular Chinese review platform, Douban, Yu Dong took to social media to express his frustration and disappointment. He alleged that the negative reviews were not genuine, but rather the result of organized "blackening" by rival fan groups. This phenomenon, where fans of other movies or celebrities intentionally leave negative reviews to bring down the ratings of a competing film, is not new to Yu Dong. He claimed that his previous film, "The Nameless," suffered from a similar fate, with tens of thousands of one-star reviews on its opening day.

1 February 2025
Yu Dong emphasized that he welcomes constructive criticism, but the release of "Jiaolong Action" has sparked controversy, with many viewers expressing disappointment and frustration with the film's storyline, action sequences, and overall production quality. One critic pointed out that the movie's portrayal of China's comprehensive combat system was lacking, with no depiction of effective anti-submarine measures such as helicopters, planes, or destroyers. Instead, the film relied on a simplistic and unrealistic "submarine vs. submarine" scenario.
Others criticized the film's over-reliance on gunfights, which made up a significant portion of the movie's runtime. The cramped and dark setting of the submarine made it difficult to distinguish between characters, leading to a confusing and frustrating viewing experience. The gunfights were also deemed to be unrelated to the submarine warfare, making it feel like two separate movies had been spliced together.
The plot was also panned for being too clichéd, relying on outdated Hollywood tropes such as a terrorist plot to detonate a nuclear bomb. This was seen as a disappointment, especially given the high expectations for a Chinese submarine action movie.
Furthermore, the film's director, Yu Dong, has been accused of blaming the audience for the film's poor reception, rather than taking responsibility for the production's shortcomings. Yu Dong claimed that the negative reviews on platforms like Douban were the result of "fan circle mutual blackening" and "malicious deductions", rather than a genuine reflection of the film's quality. This response has been met with skepticism and criticism from some viewers, who feel that the film's producers are refusing to acknowledge and learn from their mistakes.
In response to the backlash, Yu Dong has vowed to "fight to the end" against what he sees as unfair and malicious criticism. However, this stance has only served to further polarize the debate, with some viewers feeling that the film's producers are more interested in shifting the blame than in listening to constructive feedback and improving their craft.

The online community has been abuzz with opinions about "Jiaolong Action", with many netizens sharing their thoughts on social media. Some have expressed disappointment and frustration with the film, citing problems with its plot, cinematography, and overall production quality.
One netizen, [韩路], pointed out that the film's depiction of China's comprehensive combat system was lacking, and that the submarine battles were unrealistic and over-reliant on gunfights. They also criticized the film's use of poorly lit and cramped submarine sets, making it difficult to distinguish between characters. Another netizen, [Topreservethisdream01], accused the production team of blaming the audience for the film's poor reception, and of being influenced by "fan circle" mentality.
On the other hand, some netizens have come to the defense of the film and its director, Yu Dong. [花叔] noted that while the film may not be perfect, it is still worth watching, and that consumers have the right to make their own decisions about what they want to see. Others have expressed support for Yu Dong's statement that the film will not be withdrawn from theaters, and have encouraged others to share their honest opinions about the film.
The controversy surrounding "Jiaolong Action" has also sparked a wider conversation about the role of online reviews and ratings in shaping public opinion about films. With the film currently holding a rating of 6.6 on Douban, some have questioned the validity of these ratings and accused some reviewers of intentionally giving the film low scores. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how "Jiaolong Action" will ultimately be received by audiences and critics alike.
As the controversy surrounding "Jiao Long Action" continues to unfold, the film's future direction remains uncertain. Director Yu Dong's adamant statement that the film will "absolutely not be withdrawn from release" has sparked a heated debate among audiences and industry insiders.
On one hand, some critics argue that the film's poor reception is a result of inadequate marketing and promotion, particularly during the competitive spring festival season. Others, like Topreservethisdream01, point out that the film's production team may be misguided in blaming audiences for the film's lackluster performance, rather than taking responsibility for potential shortcomings.

On the other hand, some viewers have expressed disappointment with the film's content, citing issues such as unrealistic portrayals of military operations, excessive gunfight scenes, and unoriginal plotlines. For example, Korean Road (韩路) notes that the film's depiction of submarine warfare is unrealistic and lacking in nuance, and that the overemphasis on gunfights makes the movie feel disjointed and unengaging.
Despite these criticisms, Yu Dong remains resolute in his commitment to the film, calling on audiences to provide constructive feedback and vowing to "fight to the end" against malicious reviews from fan groups. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether "Jiaolong Action" can recover from its rocky start and find success with audiences. One thing is certain, however: the film's future direction will be closely watched by industry insiders and fans alike, as a bellwether for the future of Chinese cinema.
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