3 Body Problem - Which Version to Watch
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- #3bodyproblem #threebodyproblem #threebody #netflix #scifi #3BodyProblemNetflix #adaptation
In this episode we compare Netflix adaptation of 3 Body Problem with the Tencent adaptation of the same book, both two different approaches that have the books as source material. Our attention will be on the adaptation of the narrative, the characters, the main plot points, the underlying theme, some missed opportunities along with predictions for season 2.
Chapters in this video:
00:00 - Intro
00:59 - Production Numbers
01:55 - What the Comparison Contains
02:28 - What is a Film Adaptation?
07:06 - Adapting The Characters
10:11 - What are the Main Plot Points?
11:28 - The Virtual Game
12:57 - The First Contact
13:58 - What is A Sophon ?
16:45 - The Environmental Theme
17:48 - Missed Opportunities
17:48 - What’s Coming Up in Season 2?
21:52 - Final Thoughts
22:18 - The Creators on the Books
Links from this video:
On film adaptations 👉 / the-adaptation-movies-...
What is a Sophon 👉 three-body-problem.fandom.com...
More film reviews here 👉 www.kelaruandfulton.com
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Listen to 3 Body Problem books on Audible:
Book 1 - The Three Body Problem: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/audible/m...
Book 2 - The Dark Forest: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/audible/m...
Book 3 - Death’s End: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/audible/m...
[DISCLOSURE]
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Thanks to the Netflix version, the Tencent version has seen a surge in popularity. That's one good thing that's come from it.
I totally agree with you. Tencent version is better apart from a few details.
Characters in Tencent version talk and act like scientist. You can't say same things about Netflix, characters talk like they are freshman college students. They are too casual.
100 percent agree. I am constantly around academics/researchers and have never seen anyone resembling the Oxford 5 (maybe Jin Cheng was the most believable from all of the Oxford 5, but that's not saying a lot). I felt the same way for both Ye Wenjies in the Netflix version - they didn't act like researchers or scientists. In the Tencent version, I could 100 percent believe that Wang Miao is a scientist and both (young and old) Ye Wenjies are astrophysicists.
@@MM-qt2pc Wenjie in Netflix is like grumpy old woman that just divorced.
So basically every Hollywood movie
This is a stereotype. There is no one way of talk or act that is unique to scientists or academics. People are multidimensional - scientists should be serious in professional settings, but they can also swear like normal people when they are with friends.
There is it's called writing a script@@DamonSun-hn7cn
I've not read the books, but I watched the Tencent version when it came out last year. I was totally engrossed and my mind was blown because of that existential dread, as well as because of intellectual and philosophical concepts that were being presented. I didn't find it slow because I wanted to engage with those concepts and maybe because I was watching it as it was being released (1 episode a day instead of binge-watching), I found it perfectly fine. It's such a slow burn that when big moments happen - such as the countdown or the universe flicker, or Ye Wenjie's backstory, etc, it is that more intense. There's a slow buildup and a release. The Netflix version goes too fast, doesn't engage with the intellectual, philosophical elements I found so fascinating about the Tencent series. It also just simplifies the show into grand moments from the story - be it the countdown in Auggie's eyes, or Judgement Day. Ultimately I felt rather empty after watching the Netflix version but I still want to engage with the concepts presented in the Tencent version (even after a year). Plus, I want to read the books.
There is a new Tencent version (anniversary edition) w only 26 episodes.
I enjoyed the Tencent version much more. Especially because it is much more into the philosophy and the hard science part and also it allows for much more character development instead of the more superficial, accomodating, "run of the mill" character interactions.
I have watched both. Tencent version has more depth, the pace is slow but much more engrossing, the actors/actresses portraying the main characters amazing. The nexflix version is shallow, spoon feeding the audience, the Oxford 5 characters wooden, their romance boring. But above all I hate the way Netflix has butchered ye wenjie character
I am a Cixin Liu's reader, of course, I read . I can't endure that Netflix made Ye a brainless woman who is always falling in love with different men. Ye should be an idealist. She might love "pure human civilization" but she doesn't love any individual man, including her husband Yang Weining. I would prefer that she appreciated Yang because he was the only flame for that tough time in her life.
You're right.they think yewenjie is too simple and the director can't understand the main role s' emotion and purpose.fxxx
I way prefer the Chinese version, though it has a pretty serious length problem. The Chinese version has way, waaaay better character building, character relations and depth of dialogue. There's no comparison. Most of the Netflix characters act and sound like teenagers. The Chinese version is also non preachy - very fresh to watch when tired of woke Western media. They do tackle some issues, but in an open ended fashion that makes you think, without lecturing you. Which is actually how mature people that have seen a thing or two talk, not with the brash certainty of teenagers. On the other hand, the Chinese version has a lot of unnecessary scenes, fillers, to the point where it becomes boring, as well as some scenes that seem more out of a cartoon. The cartoonish parts are not that long and they are not bothersome, especially if you have watched Chinese series before - you know they're gonna have some of that. And it's counter balanced by the depth in other parts. But the fillers create a serious pacing problem.
There is a new Tencent version (anniversary edition) w only 26 episodes.
Netflix version might look more high quality, but I actually think the Tencent version looks better, more satisfying and stylish.
Disagree, Netflix version look like low budget TV show, can't say the same for Tencent version.
@@oasis71are you blind or what?
Tencent version looks like it was filmed 20yrs ago
@@SeptemusHeap40 years
@@SeptemusHeap the actual plot was set in some 20 yrs ago so it actually seems fine to me??
I enjoyed the Netflix version overall, but it didn’t build up Ye Wenjie’s character complicity. In the book, when Ye finally left red cliff, during her teaching years she was invited by the locals and this changed her a bit, and she deeply still want to do good by humans. I didn’t have this feeling with the Netflix version but felt that she was almost pure evil.
And also in the book when she confronted her fathers killer, you feel that the little red guard women is also a victim of it all, while same thing in the Netflix version she’s just a criminal that got what she deserved yet she still havnt learned her lesson… come on where’s the depth!
Netflix didn’t do Ye Wenjie justice as it’s intention is to make an entertaining franchise, while Tencent allocated more time for the audience to know Ye Wenjie. The Tencent version therefore has more depth as it’s not just about a them vs us conflict
limited why spend to much time on the hate
Tencent ver was a bit draggy. Netflix ver is too condensed and cut off too many things
Except the whole critiques of China.
Watched Netflix eng version and Tencent Chinese version..
Suggestion watch the Tencent version which is much better
i really like the tencent version for the slow insanity the character going through, and desperate attempt on the game to solve the 3 body problem and in the end its unsolveable
After reading The Three Body Problem book and watching the Tencent version I found the Netflix version extremely confusing and hard to follow due to the character changes, rearranged timeline, and omission or underdevelopment of key concepts and characters. I did enjoy the production quality of the Netflix version but I found it hard to care about, putting it nicely, several of the new characters.
It was Wokified and dumbed down for couch potatoes to watch in amazement and awe! Then move on the next barbie movie, and continue voting for senile presidents and bowing down to their slave masters!
I liked the tencent version. I think you can understand the whole universe of the book better watching the tencent version
I absolutely hated the Netflix version and could rate it -1 if I could. I've seen comments below saying things like "there are somethings lost in the translation" or "it's difficult adapting books to TV" or "if only they had 12 episodes to flesh out more of the characters." I don't believe any of those are true.
I think I'll use an example of TV show so people can understand. Compare the original Star Trek/TNG vs Discovery. People don't hate it because they changed the appearance (whitewashed) the Klingons (Chinese). It's because the original show explored so much more, from science to politics to economis, religion, philosophy, etc and had far better stories, acting and directing. Whereas Discovery was nothing more thann big ships make other big ships go boom. None of that was in Discovery. Similarly the Netflix version has NO interesting philosophical questions.
This isn't necessarily to say big ship make other ships go boom is bad. In fact, in certain cases it might even be good and attract a wider audience, if that's what you were looking for. It's just that having read the book or even watched the Tencent version, you realize it could have been so much more.
Each character in the book and the Tencent version had differing motivations, dreams and fears. There are widely differing opinions upon witnessing the same event. They contrasted the factionalism in the Cultural Revolution and the ETO. They highlighted science and environmentalsm with neglecting the dangers of environmental extremism, which I find quite prescient given that the book came out in 2006. Characters are shaped by events and in term shape events. The cause and reasons behind a major event such as the Cultural Revolution was explored. For example, my wife remarked after reading the book, "I never knew there were so many factions during the CR. I thought it was just one major authoritarian party. Very interesting."
The Netflix version on the other hand, one commenter already noted changed slogans as "Down with American imperialism" to something against the Russians. That's all you really need to know about the depth of exploration of politics: China/Russia bad, us good. There was no redemption arc of China from the horrors of the CR to the modern era because it can't exist since well, the moved the show to the UK. There can't be a redemption arc of Ye Wenjie because anything that connected her to past events have been severed. So my problem with moving the setting from Beijing to London isn't that it's white washing (which it is) but that it completely change the plot in a major way.
The characters in the Netflix version are skin-deep and quite frankly, cliche. Reading the book, both my wife and I find Ye Wenjie a highly complex character but I found her extremely unlikeable but my wife really liked her (as a character). With the book AND the Tencent version, we can reach those different conclusions. But in the Netflix version, we cannot conlude anything other than that she's extremely unlikable. Wang Miao in the Tencent version experience the desperation and despair upon seeing the universe flicker (which he had to work to confirm he isn't going crazy) to the point where he nearly ended himself only to find hope at the last second. There's Sha Ruishan retracing the exact steps from that night and asking "is it only us two that sees them. Are we the chosen ones?"
I don't get any of that from the Oxford Five. And speaking of those, I mentioned cliche earlier, can we get any more cliche? You have the girl boss, the anti-hero, the guy who's secretly a genius/chosen one but didn't know, the sloppy comediac release. Boring, one dimentional plastic people. I don't get mini-stories such as Bai Mulin who was actually an idealist on environmental protection, but betrayed Ye because he feared for himself during the CR. He was a coward but not evil. I don't get things like Ye's predecessor at Red Coast (Liu) who was secretly quite highly inteliigent, but pretended to be incompetent because, had he stayed, he would spend a life in a highly classified defence project with no hopes of ever publishing his research or even leaving. The Netflix version is, if you're evil, the cause is that you're evil and that's it.
And I didn't realize Netflix spent so much on each episode vs. so little for Tencent. I know labor is cheap in China but it's still an astounding difference. This isn't a socioeconomical observation but rather I feel the Netflix special effects look absolutely terrible comparing to the Tencent ones. Furthermore, aesthetically I also much prefer the Tencent ones, which is far darker and grittier.
With all those problems, if I haven't read the book or watched the Tencent version but just view the Netflix version as a Sci-Fy alien invasion show, I might say it's got an interesting concept, 3 out of 5. But given that they removed key plot points, everything interesting about the book other than the main alien invasion, lousy characters/acting, special effects, -1 out of 5.
What an interesting write up. Enjoyed reading it and I totally agree with everything you said. I also thought the tencent version was far superior. It has the philosophical elements that Netflix totally leaves out. It makes you use your brain and your full attention, because it’s not only presenting these grand scientific concepts to you, but it’s also drawing you into the complexity of humans and human existence
These people are so biased i can see it bleed through the screen.
If a person liked the book first then they'll naturally like the TV adaptation that covers more of the book's content. This will always be true.
Netflix's decision-making model is the main reason why its adaptation is as such. They greenlight / provide a budget for x number of episodes and y number of minutes and only approve future seasons if viewership metrics exceed some nebulous algorithmic threshold that they keep secret. So Netflix adaptations will tend towards a pattern in order to survive into the next season - long enough to draw audiences in but not too long to induce boredom, while also short enough that a sufficiently large proportion of the audience will binge watch so the show can hit viewership targets; intriguing premise but not too esoteric or high brow so as to lose broad demographic appeal, and so on.
I have only watched the Netflix version of this but found it very enjoyable. From everyone's comments here it seems a lot was cut / dumbed down vs the books but I didn't find that the philosophical premise was lacking. I quite like the fact that the Netflix version isn't too long because it means more of my friends have watched it, and I'm able to talk to them about it. So there are pros and cons to each approach.
@@mljh11I appreciate the reason that the Netflix production might have to take considerations so it doesn't get canceled. But to use a quote from Zhang Beihai, "It doesn't matter. It's all the same." What causes the Netflix version to be inferior, in my opinion, doesn't matter, only that it's inferior. I can also understand that it's dumbed down to draw a larger audience. But what made the original work so rich is the backstory, the philosophical questions, etc. By dumbing it down then it's no longer Three body.
Furthermore, I find some of the plot changes nonsensical. Ye Wenjie in the original work was disillusioned in humanity that she misguidedly invited the aliens to solve the world's problems. In the Netflix version she's what, a vengeful old lady? Instead of for example, taking vengence only at those who wronged her, ergo, holding them solely for their actions, she sought to destroy collective humanity. Do you know what that makes her, that's right, a Red Guard, who got her revenge many years later. All of that makes the Netflix quite ironic given its portrayal of the Cultural Revolution.
@@mindreader68 Your first paragraph: totally fair. We all have subjective opinions and different reasons for liking things.
Second paragraph: I don't know, I actually feel like your description of Ye being disillusioned and misguided does ring true for the Netflix version of her character. I wouldn't be surprised if these aspects of her are more prominent in the books (and maybe in the Tencent version too) but the Netflix adaptation does not reduce her to a cardboard cutout; she is still obviously a complex character with motivations that were shaped by her difficult circumstances.
I just finished the Netflix adaption and I started watching the Chinese adaption series on Prime, today. I didn't know there was a Chinese adaption until I came across this video. Thanks to the content creator of this video.
Thank you ! Let us know which adaptation you enjoyed most when finished 😁
tencent shi : "Which technological gap is bigger, us vs locust, or us vs trisolaran? every pestiside we dropped are nukes to the locusts, yet they thrive."
netflix shi: "Look at the bugs, we step on it, we kill it, and yet they are still here, For the bugs."
Which is better writing? it's quite obvious.
And they are still bugs.
obviously they had to dumb it down for Americans lol
Netflix Shi.
I wish he had given that speech under the watchful eye thing and then poured his alcohol as he stared at the eye. Unfortunately, the eye scene never happened in the Tencent version.
Introduction to the lore: Netflix
Deep dive: Chinese version
Deeper dive: Books
I don't think you can say this if you've read the books. They're absolutely not a "deeper dive" than the show. The Tencent adaptation goes into a lot more detail than the Three-Body Problem novel.
Pacing presents the primary challenge for both series. The Tencent 30-episode arc tends to dwell on repetitive scenes, necessitating the removal of certain elements like the news reporter character. On the flip side, Netflix's rendition, while commendable in many aspects, rushes through book one and prematurely introduces elements from books two and three in the finale. This breakneck speed causes Netflix to overlook the intricacies of the ETO and its various factions. It remains uncertain whether these elements will be explored in the next season should Netflix decide to greenlight it. Despite these differences, I appreciate both shows for their unique contributions.
I guess it’s REALLY hard to convey intrincate details in a show vs a book. SURE, you can give all the detail you want in a TV show, but to pace it right you might have to take whole seasons of fluff and slowing down things to expand on all the details you want to explore. While in a book you can just write internal thoughts and monologues straight up. Way different type of canvas.
cant u just say they dive into longer then they should lol
its pretty simple actually. the Netflix adaptation is superior. it understands what the mode of medium is. its a series for the global audience, majority of who probably havent picked up a book in years. netflix and its crew is made for the mass audience, and hence it will do better. because the production understands itself better. its not trying to literally reproduce the book. it is silly to try to reproduce the book in a series format. its not realistic, unless you have unlimited budget, you have to work with what you have.
the china series, as always does too much. trying to do everything, but not excelling at anything. the china series is made for the china audience, not for the global audience. and hence wouldnt be as popular as the netflix series, which is to be expected.
@@yucol5661 If netflix do 10 episodes and exclude book 2 contents, they have more than enough time to explore much more details.
I believe they'll replace ETO factions with different Wallfacers employing different strategies.
The CGI in the VR game of Tencent is supposed to look like a VR game, so that's ok by me. This is the case in the books too, you read about how detailed the game world is, but not how realistic everything looks and feels and smells. The Tencent version also really nailed it when it comes to the vibe, scope and choreography of what goes on in the game. All the disastrous ways the stable eras end, the living giant computer made up, all were so much more stunning.
Sounds like you are biased.
The story with the game suppose to happen in year 2007. Tencent game provide the 2007 game vibe..
@@TheExtraterrestrial99Isn’t it alien technology though?
@@Ace-mw9pm Nope, it is earth technology...which also produced by human. Alien only involved in directing the game...
Can you imagine Ye Wenjie and Mike Evans were kissing each other and even had a baby in this adaptation? It is like you are a big fan of Dragon Ball, but you see GoKu and Vegata sleep together and later they had a baby LOL Netflix adaptation is crazy ...
Yeah, beside the alternation from the source material, the pacing is just too fast. The projects don't feel like well planed but more like split second decisions. I mean the San-Ti will be arrived in 400 years, they got time to plan out things but instead they make it like they will be here the next week, lol.
@@i37no4zthey got time to plan things out? That attitude will get you killed 😂
And it's always an Asian woman with a foreign man, not the other way around. Wtg Netflix!
You guys realize dumb and dumber, Benioff and Minute Weiss the destroyers of Game of Thrones made this Netflix turd, right? Need I say more?
@@antihypocrisy8978 Its always POC guys with ALL the women. Woke garbage.
For me, the Tencent adaptation is better than Netflix in almost all ways. It just comnects you mjch better with every character.
Netflix version of course adds the the high quality VFX but the Tencent's are not half bad, and adding book 2 also within the first season is really brave of them.
Patiently waiting for Tencent to release the next season.
I love the books and Tencent's version is amazing and conveys the atmosphere that the author created. The Netflix version, conversely, is pitched to the lowest common denominator and has been dumbed down to the point of making it just a fancy action flick. The books also has elements that make sense within Chinese culture. Netflix have completely washed that out of their adaption, taking a very Chinese story and removing that point of view to make it palatable to their regular viewers. What a waste of an opportunity, and dare I say, despite Netflix's attempts at inclusivity, it carries across as a form of "whitewashing". Netflix has done such a disservice to a brilliant author.
After watching Netflix version I want to rewatch Tencent version as a superior one
which you know is not the case.
@@johnathanjamesdavis5842 the case I know Netflix version is just bad like it or not)
@@johnathanjamesdavis5842 the case I know Netflix version is just bad like it or not)
@@johnathanjamesdavis5842 the case I know Netflix version is just bad like it or not)
yea the 1 with pop stars and tiktok dancing. lmao. sure
I think Tencent one is also excellent if you don't like reading but still want the book experience with all the plot points and the stories in depth
True!
Yes
Wrong, the books are a thousand times better than the Tencent version. The book is slow and interesting, the Tencent version is slow and boring
@@dilwitchspahlin4761 For someone whose first experience of this IP was the Tencent drama. I'd say the person is correct. I read the books afterwards and had a clear more better understanding of visuals to enhance my reading experience.
@@dilwitchspahlin4761 I think they're comparing the Neflix vs Tencent version, not Tencent vs book.
If you want the full story watch the 2023 Chinese series. It is the truest adaptation of the book and contains all the science essential to the story. The Netflix series is for people with low attention span.The Dubble D's did to the novel the same thing they did to season 8 of GoT. It's also 8 episodes, which is a weird coincidence.
The concept of other seasons must escape you. Also, the Chinese conveniently skipped one of the most important scene in the story which the Netflix series opened with
@@moderatecanuck Nope. The story of the death of her father is told later in the Chinese series. Did you watch it? They don't even talk about alien life until episode 20. The novel is about the science. The Chinese series focuses on the science.
I'd rather read the book for the 8th time than sit through that lazy snorefest Tencent put out.
@@innxs Umm... good. Read it again. Don't know why you thought I would care, but thanks for sharing I guess.
@@IYAMNI So you're implying that you are superior for watching the chinese adaptation compared to the people who preferred the netflix version because "attention span".
Production Cost: Netflix version, 160M. Tencent version, 10M.
and that extra money resulted in nothing but a worse addition , look at Godzilla minus one less than $15 million production compared to recent Hollywood marvel flops which spent up to $200 million
Many of the 160m been use on advertisement... 😂
How is this possible lol. Tencent version look way better.
so you tell me that like a half of a chapter of netflix = the whole tencent version budget lol
With that kind of budget, Netflix could have build a particle accelerator themselves. This is insane levels of spending.
This is probably the best, and most evenhanded, analysis and commentary for any series I have run across: well done!
Finished the Netflix version. Saw the first 2 free episodes of Tencent.
Netflix failed to capture the scale of the book series. It chose to focus on a very small group of people as if London is center of the universe.
Netflix should have bought the rights to the Tencent version instead of producing a new one.
The book author signed off the Netflix version, so it doesn't matter.
i don't think the americans have the patience to watch 30 episodes which is a shame because the chinese version is a lot more rewarding.
The English speaking actors were terrible.
Just an update.
Finally joined the Tencent Channel (used WeTV app to watch).
Just finished ep. 3. Now, I'm amused at how simplistic the countdown vision in the Netflix version was approached.
No offense to the fans of the Netflix version. This is just my personal opinion.
So I watched the Tencent series a few months ago and just finished the Netflix series. I also read the books last year. My issue is with the brainstorming, the plan, and the destruction of Judgement Day. The Tencent version blew my mind, it was awesome!! The Netflix version was quite underwhelming in comparison. Not to mention extremely gory with children among the killed. I had to turn away for most of the scenes. The Tencent version was better in that there was little gore and lots of the “slicing” of bodies was shown in shadows, also no innocent children were on board.
This is one of the reasons I’ve stopped being interested in American shows that are for mature audiences. You rarely see a good show for mature audiences that isn’t filled with gore, sex or nudity. Therefore I’ve just switched to watching Chinese shows and haven’t gone back since (unless I just want to listen to the show in English while doing something else in the background)
When I read the ending, I was SO impressed that the author didn't go for the "blood n guts". They went for a more philosophic approach... and it was a breath of fresh air!
@@eydpotter any Chinese show recommendations?
@@eydpotter I personally recommend the German show “Dark”
@@JessicaMartinez-jo6nn So many. If you like historical/fantasy dramas, I would suggest Nirvana in Fire 1 and 2. Nirvana in Fire 1 starts off very complex and is rather confusing but stick with it and you won’t regret it. Alternatively you could start with Nirvana in Fire 2 (it’s easier to get into and you don’t need to watch the NIF1 to watch it). Another one called The Longest Day in Chang’an is quite fast paced (it has some of the best visuals I’ve seen on any show). If you like some humour mixed with historical/fantasy/sci-fi, I’d recommend Joy of Life. It was released in 2019 and it is unfinished but they’re going to release its sequel this year. All these shows are on CZcams with English subs. If you want a modern drama, I really loved Hikaru no Go.
Chinese shows are really great with their own brand of fantasy - wuxia (which you might know from the likes of Crouching tiger hidden dragon). They also have more fantastical ones with gods and deities (the genre is called xianxia) and I think one easily accessible one is Love between fairy and devil (it’s not my favourite xianxia but I think it’s a good starting point for someone who hasn’t seen xianxia before). The Untamed is also another favourite (not the best cgi or anything, and it starts off super slow and confusing but all makes sense later). These two are on Netflix. Sorry for the long list. Hard to keep track when typing on the phone.
I feel like a combination of the two shows would be my perfect adaptation, where it doesnt take a whole episode to adapt like 2 pages of the book but it also isnt trying to be the next games of thrones in terms of scale and big action, and lets the concepts of the book actually shine
Watching Netflix version is like watching Friends 2024 with science background.
reading you repeat that unoriginal comment on every video about 3 body is sad. shut up parrot. go and try to form an original thought.
Are you kidding?There was more science in a random Big Bang Theory chapter than in the whole 8 chapters of the Netflix series, and Penny would make for a more believable scientist than any of the Oxford's five
Watch the tencent anniversary version. Those are director's cut where all the fillers are gone.
WHERE CAN YOU GIVE THE LINK PLS? OR THE SOURCE
WERE?!?!
Where?
@@gutzz1519 For some reason it's not letting me send the link but you can search Three Body Problem Anniversary Edition and it should come up
The anniversary edition is 26 episodes and you can watch it on the WeTV app. It is not free, you have to subscribe. I watched the full 30 episodes on Prime Video, with about half episodes having to pay for. I can’t find anything else online that shows them (at least in the UK). Frustrating, I know, almost like a Sophon preventing us from seeing it 😁
Is it just me or is the Tencent Version have better Cinematography than the netflix one
It does, the cinematography is more interesting
Agreed, Tencent version has better cinematography
And they did it at a fraction of the bloated US budget. I wonder if it's just because of less expensive labor or if the US experts overcharge.
I’m from China and I can’t stand the camera work of the Tencent version, dropped it after two episodes. The CGI is also so bad. I’ve seen a lot of Chinese tv series and it feels like a small budget city drama.
@@diperloded8931xDD
I enjoyed the Netflix entertainment but prefer the Chinese version which is a lot more philosophical!
Yes, in that book a lot philosophy. If not this philosophy, the whole story can be in 1 book. Also, in my taste, philosophy is not a very good side of the book. So, Netflix version, I prefer more.
Can we watch the Chinese version in the US?
@@richardpiette9172yes i watched it on pbs stations this past winter
@@richardpiette9172yes i watched it on pbs this past winter
@@richardpiette9172it's on Peacock, and youtube too
my advice is to read the original book！The incredible book is the ultimate answer！Tencent version is too slow, Netflix version just adapted the book into a superficial drama show！
Indeed, the impact of reading the original for the first time is incomparable to the TV show, if you first watched TV, may not have the opportunity to feel the original kind of shock
the only answer
I'd say the Netflix version is the perfect adaptation. It retains all the same plot holes of the original story, it is just as boring, nonsensical and pointless as the book.
From that perspective, the other adaption can only be an improvement.
@@Alexander_Kale filtered
Lmao why are people complaining about a series being too slow? If you read the book slow, it's also going to be slow. The tencent adaptation is great, I've finished it last year. I highly recommend it
Chinese version for the philosophical storyline and US version for the cinematic graphics. Above both, read the novel 🎉
Absolutely Tencent version
The Tencent version, while handsomely produced, just moves Too. Damn. Slowly. It may be very faithful to the novel, but it appears that the screenwriter(s) just sliced the novel into 30 pieces instead of restructuring the narrative to work on the individual episode level and not just the total 22 hours. The end result is that too many episodes go by with very little actually happening. That was my opinion of it anyway. Being slavishly faithful to source material is how you wind up with "Twilight" movies that are 3 hours long.
I could just read the book and it would take less time
To be fair. That is what you get if you try to do EVERYTHING that happened in the book into the show. Lots of scenes in the book feel like nothing happens, but it works better because you are just reading and don’t need to literally see everything be acted out in front of you eyes. But with acting you have to “show don’t tell” way more than in a book. Both are good tough
@@yucol5661The makers intended the series to be 20 episodes, but Chinese TV broadcasters demanded at least 30 episodes so they could get as many sponsors and ad breaks as possible to make back the budget, and the censorship of the Cultural Revolution scenes also forced the makers to recut the whole series into 30 episodes, including keeping scenes that werre overlong and repetitive.
I feel the Netflix ver is too short. They gloss over alot of things
@@lukelim5094 10 episodes would have been better
Great comparison and discussion. Thanks for putting this together.
Thank you for the researches you made of these 2 very different adaptations, lots of details here
You’re most welcome, glad you enjoyed it !
Tencent just released a director cut 26 episodes version. Best one yet!
Where? Can you link please?
Also, any highlights of this version that sets it apart from the original?
Sounds like a cut down. Original is super slow and doozy
@@SaifAli96try checking Tencentvideo official channel. They put the link there
@@SaifAli96no Wang Miao in Netflix version
Good video. I agree with a lot of what you say but disagree with a lot, maybe most of it. For instance, The Yes (the mom and daughter) in the Netflix show is shallow and unexplained. Leaves the viewer with no idea about what went on. And there are a lot of examples of that type of thing in the show. The best way to describe the Netflix adaptation is "Have you seen Game of Thrones final three seasons? Well, its like that, but better because the books exist."
I like them both in different ways. Id watch the tencent version 1st, then Netflix. The Netflix is more theatrical, but tencent is more in tune with the books.
I do agree with some comments about the tencent version being really slow. 30 something episodes, I got tired after the 1st 13 episodes, and kept falling asleep after that and had to keep restarting the rest of the episodes over and over. It's def not a binge watch. But I liked it.
After finishing the netflix series a few days back and thoroughly enjoying it, i’m currently on episode 10 of the tencent version and so far i consider the tencent version a better adaptation. Netflix just feels way too rushed but one thing they do better than tencent & Liu cixin is the characters. Much more depth. I felt that tencent had better cgi visuals which is surprising
If anything they do characters better than the book. Because they wanted characters a viewer can get attached to and follow. More like TV shows.
i like netflix vr game, more realistic, but so disappointed it too short and they cut a lot of things, so i still prefer tencent
@@yucol5661”they do characters better than the book”? Are you serious? No tv shows or movies can outdo books.
@@davidnguyen3275They are serious, I've seen a lot book reader talk about "the book is about ideas not focusing on character.". So, in this case the TV series is better doing character development.
@@AlFirous nonsense. The tv series is based on the book. That alone should tell you everything. That’s the whole reason why people debating which version (Netflix or Tencent) of adaptation is better and/or in regard to the book.
I really liked the tencents version of the game. The visuals, the actors, etc... its what i pictured while reading, pretty much. But better
I'm glad I'm not wasting my money on a platform who hired the game of thrones guys. Those bugs should not work a single day in media production.
For audience like me who didn't read the novel, I found the Netflix version pretty good. I've watched the Chinese version but I gave up after the first few episodes because the pacing was too slow. But my friend who had read the novel found the Chinese version better because it's more faithful to the source material. I guess the Netflix version is a great introduction to the serie for people like me, because now I'm hooked into the story, I'm going to watch the Chinese version again and then read the novel.
The pacing in Tencent version is normal. I think you're just not used to watching Chinese dramas.
Watch the Anniversary Edition of the Tencent version...less filler amd better pacing. You'd have to subscribe to watch all episodes though
I watched the Netflix version first and immediately started the audiobook. Now I'm halfway through the second. I think anything that brings people to the series is a plus
I watched both series and read the book, and yes I would even say that the chinese adaption explaned much things better than the book. All in all, the chinese series took time to buid up the story, this is what Netflix did not do, not to mention the much higher level of scientific explanations. In the chinese series, the microvave rays from beginning of the universe change their pattern, in the western series, the sky starts to blink. Doesn't say this everything. Ok, people say, the Netflix series is made for mainstream. I am onestly wondering? Has the chinese mainstream so much higher expectations or are the chinese willing to put money and efford in series for a smaller audience?
Be realistic if you pitched a 30 episode show with each episode being nearly 50 minutes long, and based off of one book in a series to a studio in the U.S you’re getting laughed out the building.
it seemed to me like it gave more personality to the characters
i just cant get into the netflix version, i get the story but it just feels empty, fliping over and over from one character to another im not attached to any of the characters at all, feels like you sit down for a moive but instead some one is pushing your sit through the scenes just to get you out before they get off work.
in the end ppl ask you did you watch the moive? ''yeah!" do you like it? "aeehh...HELL NO!"
The Netflix adaptation of Liu Cixin's "The Three-Body Problem" has left me with a sense of unfulfilled potential. The original novel, while not brimming with characters of profound depth, offers a canvas ripe for exploration. These figures, primarily serving as narrative devices within the intricate plot, present a golden opportunity for the series to delve into their complexities and enrich the viewing experience. Regrettably, the adaptation opts for a path of least resistance, focusing on superficial drama and romantic entanglements rather than the nuanced character development that could truly captivate an audience.
The series' portrayal of Ye Wenjie, for instance, simplifies her into a caricature of evil, ignoring the chance to unravel the multifaceted motivations and historical context that could make her a compelling character. This one-dimensional depiction is symptomatic of a broader issue: the adaptation's reluctance to delve beneath the surface and explore the rich character arcs that could reflect the novel's deeper themes.
The missed opportunity is palpable. With more thoughtful storytelling, the series could have transformed these narrative tools into fully realized characters, each with their own struggles and growth, mirroring the broader existential questions posed by the novel. Instead, the focus on easy character tropes and melodramatic subplots feels like a letdown, especially for fans who were hoping for a more profound exploration of humanity's challenges and choices when faced with cosmic-scale threats.
In its current form, the series trades the novel's intellectual curiosity and grand ideas for a more conventional, albeit less impactful, narrative. It's a stark contrast to the original work's invitation to ponder our place in the universe. The adaptation, in trying to make the story more accessible, has perhaps inadvertently stripped away the very elements that made "The Three-Body Problem" such a thought-provoking and groundbreaking piece of science fiction.
The books, the movie, the TV show are three different things. Lighten up it's okay. The graphic novel will probably be lacking in detail too. That's the nature of the business. I wrote a book I thought was great but I couldn't get it published. Yet there's garbage published every single day. That's life
The Netflix one took to much "artistic liberty" Netflix should've just contracted with tencent to dub their version
It is interesting that you go into further seasons, because it is a Netflix series. Even though a second season is possible, I expect Netflix to cancel the series before the story is told to completion.
The Netflix version basically eliminated all the original's core values and Chinese characters lol. Netflix needs to stop being so narrow-minded on the diversity part.
The best adaptation comes down to the series which best portrayed the central character of three body - Ye Wenje.
Netflix - Screwed this up big time by showing a one dimensional character without any soul of the original character in the book.
Chinese Version Tencent - They hit it out of the park with all the layers, complexities regarding the character and the mysterious enigma that she is.
This goes for both the young and old versions by the way of both the shows.
I'm more interested in the plot itself: how humanity react to the awareness of aliens are coming. I don't feel attached to any specific character even when I read the original book. So, for me, it is okay to simplify Ye's back stories.
It's absolute example of western version Chinese food vs original Chinese food. It's adapted to look like the original but taste changed western palate . So the superficial approach of Netflix and liberal attitude to original work, vs a 3000 year older and much more nuanced culture and approach to works of literature. The need for physical adversary (anthropomorphising the sophon and creating a relatable and soulful lady killer) vs the actual cosmic horror of unseen and almighty adversary. The Netflix version has a better beginning with Mao's gang of Four cultural revolution horror that the west is experiencing today through Woke culture revolution. Chinese version has better everything including the ship dissection scene (total disgrace for Netflix version that cost 20M USD per episode, and has worse CGI than my neighbor can drum up on his 2500USD computer.)
Very interesting and well done review! I only have access to the Netflix series (in Australia) ATM but I loved the books so I will have to work out how to see the TenCent series too!
Available on CZcams in 4K and English subtitles. This is the 30 chapter version czcams.com/play/PLMX26aiIvX5oCR4bBg2j0W4KKgjYtYBfv.html&si=SIWDNbpMoXiqzht5
Fantastic! Thank you very much for your analysis.
I feel like if both adaptations could be combined into like a 15 episode version, it would be the ultimate one, regardless I thoroughly enjoyed my time with both versions
that interview clip at the end was really illuminating. the netflix show really felt like it was made by someone who just kinda digs the vibe but doesn’t remember a single detail when reading sci-fi
I really love the Tencent version.... its much-2 better than the Netflix one.
the actress that plays Ye Wenjie in the tencent version in her red Coast younger days, my lord she's beautiful
If we're to judge the 2 series based on which does a better job of retelling the epic of "Remembrance of Earth's Past", the Tencent version is superior, hands down. Tencent-3BP goes into far greater depth into the scientific & philosophical concepts that author wanted to focus on. I think it does so simply because it gave the time to do so (i.e. ~22 hours of screen time vs 8). The more one is forced to summarize a story (especially an epic), the more they must inevitably leave out important details & nuances.
Moreover, Netflix was inevitably restrained in many ways that Tencent isn't, because it must package a Chinese book into a TV series that's acceptable & understandable to the modern day average American consumer (e.g. obligatory diversity, obligatory downplaying of the centrality & the importance of Chinese characters, more sex & gratuitous violence, etc.). The more time it must take go through these "check the box" motions to localize the content & conform to US/western social norms, the less time it has left to focus on the actual story (especially when screen time is already constrained). That said, there are other less important aspects that I thought Netflix just didn't do well, which are completely independent of the social & cultural restraints Netflix faces. For example, Netflix-3BP didn't produce a single memorable soundtrack, compared to Tencent-3BP (it's been a year since I watched the Tencent version, & I can still hum the theme song because it was just THAT memorable & cool).
All in all, Netflix did the best they could given the screen time & social constraints they faced, but if someone really wants to save time but is still curious about 3BP, they might as well go straight to online recaps from channels such as "Quinn's Ideas" (which does a very good retelling of the entire "Remembrance of Earth's Past" epic in half the screen time relative to Netflix), instead of watching a half-assed Netflix version.
i haven't seen the netflix version and i haven't read the books (but intend to soon), but started watching the chinese tencent version and finished all long 30 eps in 5 days. I could not stop clicking NEXT girl! The last episode was definitely done really well to put it together.
Tencent (Chinese) is much better than Netflix's adaptation
it's the boring version.
@@greg.peepeeface the non woke and non drama version better said.
I hope Tencent doesn't get influenced by the Netflix one and change the way they do things because I preferred the Chinese one
Chinese version is on youtube. Ive pretty much binged it. Its very good. Great acting, sets, locations, effective special effects. I think it has a certain audience, those that know nothing and actually experience the mystery, or those that really enjoy the books. Personally i loved all the stuff at red coast in the 70's. Wenjie ye is such an important character given the end of the trilogy. I enjoyed the time given to her charater, moral conflict.
Not seen the netflix version, but i see plenty of room to tell the same overall story at a quicker pace.
Either way, in this type of story, you cant beat the source material or your imagination.
The portrayal of the rest of the world is unintentionally hilarious near the end. Not sure why. In fact, just finished. Whole end is a bit of a fumble. Lots of exposition and wacky visuals.
If you have to pick one, watch the Tencent version.
After the tencent version, you may not need to read the book 1 😅. Yes, tencent version pace is too too too slow, but it makes its effort to cover everything from book 1.
@@chrislui571You need to read the book because the TV version censored Ye Wenjie's father's death in the Cultural Revolution, which is a key scene and the first trauma that shapes her character.
@@adisakditantimedh331 read twice 😅
@@chrislui571Me too. I feel like the most complete experience is to read the books, then watch the Tencent version, then the Netflix version.
@@adisakditantimedh331 BTW, the Netflix cut off an important scene before Ye's father's death, which was in the original novel, like this:
"The supreme directive: fight with words, not with force!" Ye Zhetai's two students finally made up their minds and shouted these words. They rushed over at the same time and pulled away the four little girls who were already in a semi-crazy state.
It makes a big difference ... maybe you will ask why. But I hope you guys can figure out yourselves.
Wonderful side-by-side. I think your review of both the Netflix and tencent series shows your admiration and deep respect for both the trilogy and Liu Cixin. I read the trilogy prior to watching the tencent series, then the netflix, so my preferences are biased a bit. However, for sheer comprehensiveness (esp. Ye Wenjie's story), storytelling, acting and fidelity, the tencent version ranks much better. IMO.
One thing you didnt touch on was the quality of the acting. I thought the Netflix "Oxford 5" group could have been selected from a "Friends" audition, and frankly, none of them showed much acting ability to me, least of all the exorable Auggie. It was truly disappointing that Netflix didnt kill off her character. I have a feeling that even the ones who died will arise in the next season. Netflix counts on retaining all the Game of Thrones fans to boost veiwership and wont want them to miss their favorites next season.
That said, I still look forward to both tencent and Netflix's next seasons.
In summary, in my opinion. Tencent ver was a bit draggy. Netflix ver is too condensed and cut off too many things. Pick your poison.
Good part. Tencent ver is more faithful and go more deep. While Netflix ver is more visually shot and streamlined.
Why would you not watch both? If another show is made I will watch that one too
the netflix in someway compressed all the timeline (from book one to three) on this 1 season which is fine by me and it will less be confusing on the future seasons,
As a Chinese audience, this is actually very strange, a lot of American science fiction show is as far as possible to create suspense, the next season's information all hidden up, but Netflix's 3body is an exception
Watch both. Both are the same ingredients but US put in strong flavor that the west prefers and as for the Chinese they like to keep its original flavor that's why it is longer than the west.
Ramin Djawadi who did the music for the Netflix version is definitely what kept me going when it came to the Netflix version. I've never read the books and even I felt how rushed it was. 8 episodes doesn't make sense for this scale of a story. I did like many characters but left me wanting more so this will definitely get me to watch the tencent version and maybe even read the books one day.
Tencent version is far more superior ❤❤
Tencent version . Better by far . 👀
13:02 the little girl in the picture is the same little girl from the Headset game 😊
thats the daughter who k!lled herself!
Netflix if you want Jack's Snacks, quick, easy, convenient and tasty. Tencent if you want nuanced, fleshed out characters, profound revelations, and impactful highlights, albeit rather slow pace.
i liked the chinee version but its repetitive and onry book one
Tencent just released a director cut 26 episodes version. Best one yet!
Juat finished watching the first season, ive never read the books but that was such an interesting show. Im wondering if the error of the ship was on purpose to keep the enemy thinking it's off course or something.
Thanks for this, i will watch both, just deciding which one should i watch first?
If u want true to the writer's vision, watch Tencent version. They use the exact lines as written in the book.
Tencent series all the way, I utterly disliked 90% of the characters in the Netflix series. In the Tencent series some of the acting (western actors) was terrible, but the core characters all top notch. I especially loved both actresses for Wenjie, both the young as well as the old one. I love the Wang character, his interaction with his daughter. I loved of course Di Shie, the policeman in the Tencent series, great performance and I heard he will get his own spin off. I loved the ten assistents all wrapped into on woman, she was very cool.
I did not like the huge emphasis on the environment which is a small aspect of the books and gets huge attention in the series, Let's just say Extinction Rebellion terrorists will love this show.
I really dislike the Evans character in the Tencent series, very bad acting and just looking angry all the time and awful dialogue. Completely unlikely why Wenjie would keep looking him up.
Da Shi is my favorite character on both. ❤
I haven't watched netflix version, but tencent version is amazing
I think both versions are amazing imo. I really love the books.
Tencent- (30 ep and special edition which reduces it to 26 ep). It's faithful to the books compared to the Netflix 3BP and it has all the nerdy details if you like the science that is not explained in N-3BP
Netflix version- 8 episodes. Short and concise. But I still like it.
With regards to the Netflix adaption, I honestly fail to see where those 160 million went. Special effects are nothing to write home about, let alone most of the acting. Haven't watched the other adaptation.
without having the facts, it may be that some of that budget went to the marketing campaign which has been pretty good this week but expensive at the same time (I'm sure it's not cheap to take over the Sphere in Las Vegas to display a certain message on it 😁)
It obviously went on the VR / CGI aspect
There seems to be 2 versions of the first 3 body tencent and Mi Gu official. Different cuts of the same production. Nobody mentions this .
One is the Anniversary edition, which they just released a few days before the Netflix version. It'll make the show 26 eps instead of 30
well. i watched the first episode of the Netflix version. the first culture revolution scene should be expanded and rewised.Ye wenjie's father was a theological physician.and in the novel he was falsely accused of supporting Einstein' theory of relativity. He died to defend his belief and tried to explain to everyone that the theory is indeed correct. This reminded me of Giordano Bruno, Copernicus and other scientists who also defend the science and truth against the Church. They should put more actions on detailed description of this. Her father would rather die than bending his belief.
I haven't read the books but I know the story really well. Maybe because of those things, I really enjoy how the Netflix series integrated it with a more Western character drama. It's not perfect and is even deeply flawed in places but it was always going to be. The books are (from what I gather) impossible to make into a TV show or movie without massive changes. How they plan to integrate the later, more futuristic and time dilation related events remains to be seen.
I haven't read the books, watched the netflix version first which I enjoyed but just left me wanting more, prompting me to watch the Tencent version which I found superior on every level..... the main thing for me was character development which is non existent on netflix, I loved many of the characters on tencent's adapation..... But thanks to netflix or I would never have heard of these books or the chinese adaptation
The Tencent version has so much more depths in character development than Netflix version but the Netflix version is catered towards broader audiences than Tencent’s version and pace through the story in a very good speed. Personally I like Tencent version more - both are worth watching for sure 🎉
I watched both and read the book. The Chinese version is better, less budget but more faithful to the book and better explained. The boat scene is much better too. Do you know if Tencent is going to make a sequel?
Yes! They're working in a spin off centered in Da Shi and in an adaptation of the second book
@@ariblue400 Thank you, I couldn't find the information. I'm glad you can read my bad English, I speak French. Thank you for answering 🙂
@@Levieuxde1837 Hehe, I also speak a broken English, I'm from Argentina :)
@@ariblue400 do you know when the following seasons will be released?
@@Levieuxde1837 I've read the Da Shi spin-off would come out sometime in the mid-end 2024. Season 2, still no release info
the Chinese version is on CZcams for free with Chinese subtitles and you can turn on cc for English subtitles. it's slower paced but definitely fleshed out the characters. they nailed the science stuff imo. i didn't watch the Netflix version because too many liberties were taken
The Chinese version without a doubt. I just found the Netflix version too clunky and ham-fisted.
Somehow I trust Tencent to hire scientific consultants, but in Netflix case their target group doesn't care about science so I have prejudice against that. Comments here confirmed my bias...
I don't watch Netflix more than one year because of touchy-feelly approach to everything and simplifying, feels like loosing my brain cells
Netflix is like the McDonald’s version. Entry point for beginners to the story but the Tencent version is for people who want the real deal.
Netflix probably put constraints around the budget, run time for each episode, and amount of episodes for season 1. With book 1, you run into a lot of content that people may find very boring and just not give it a chance. I think they tried to fast forward book 1 to get to the more exciting stuff, hoping people will give the entire season a chance. But by doing this they get a mess of things happening that don't all make sense and nobody gets time to connect with any characters. With costs as high as they are, you can't make a 20 episode season anymore. This puts huge constraints on writers, directors and editors. Until costs reduce and we can do 20 episode seasons again, we won't really get great quality stuff. I hope they get a season 2, but I think the budget will cause a severe drop in quality and it'll end up poor. The other issue with this one on Netflix is D&D still have not recovered from GoT season 8 and people may not be ready yet to give them another chance. Viewership will suffer due to their bad reputation.
hey this was pretty good well done
Thank you for your support!
I think the Chinese version is better.
For the money they spent on the Tencent version, it looks terrific! I love the actors too. Hewei Yu has a Song Kang ho quality about him. He's really good fun to watch.
I watched the Netflix version which really caught my imagination, I started to listen to the first book on Audible, watched the first two episodes on Tencent, and watched an Interview with Cixin Liu on CZcams. I am trying to avoid buying the books as I have so many other books started, but I am enjoying the journey.