Synopsis
Overview
The Legend of Auto is a Chinese comedy-action film released in 2019, written and directed by writer-turned-racing driver-turned-director Han Han. The film combines the passion of motorsport with an inspirational story of ordinary people, continuing Han Han's exploration of dreams and passion in his works. The movie follows a professional racing...
Overview
Pegasus is a Chinese comedy action film released in 2019, written and directed by writer-turned-racing-driver-turned-director Han Han. The film combines the passion of motorsport with an inspirational story of an underdog, continuing Han Han's exploration of dreams and passion in his works. Set against the backdrop of professional racing, the movie tells the story of former champion driver Zhang Chi, who, after being suspended from racing, overcomes numerous difficulties and is determined to return to the track to challenge a new generation of talented driver Lin Zhendong. With its professional racing scenes, dense comedic moments, and in-depth portrayal of the theme of "passion," the film sparked widespread discussion after its release and achieved considerable box office success. According to data from Douban Movie, the film has a rating of 6.8, reflecting the audience's mixed evaluation of its entertainment value and thematic expression.
Plot
The story revolves around the protagonist Zhang Chi (played by Shen Teng). Once a dominant rally champion, he was suspended from racing for five years due to illegal street racing, plummeting from the peak of his life to rock bottom and barely making ends meet by running a food stall. However, his passion for racing never faded. After his suspension ended, Zhang Chi, nearly forty, is determined to return to the Bayinbulak Rally to challenge the new generation's talented driver, Lin Zhendong (played by Huang Jingyu).
The road to comeback is fraught with thorns. Zhang Chi not only needs to retake his driver's license and raise a huge sum of money to modify his car but also faces practical difficulties such as having no co-driver and lacking sponsors. With the help of his former partner, the equally down-and-out racing technician Sun Yuqiang (played by Yin Zheng), and a mysterious "nouveau riche" sponsor (played by Tian Yu), Zhang Chi assembles a makeshift team. They overcome funding shortages, technical challenges, and the disdain of their opponents, eventually standing at the starting line of China's most treacherous Bayinbulak track. The film's climax focuses on the thrilling final race, where Zhang Chi uses all his skill and life's passion to chase victory. The ending is filled with热血 (fervor) and leaves room for interpretation, profoundly illustrating the theme of "devoting everything to what you love."
Cast
The following are the main actors and their corresponding roles in the film:
| Actor | Role | Role Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Shen Teng | Zhang Chi | A washed-up champion driver who overcomes all odds to return to racing. |
| Huang Jingyu | Lin Zhendong | A top-tier driver of the new generation, technically comprehensive, and Zhang Chi's greatest rival. |
| Yin Zheng | Sun Yuqiang | Zhang Chi's former co-driver and friend, who does his utmost to help his brother make a comeback. |
| Zhang Benyu | Ji Xing | A top racing mechanic who later joins Zhang Chi's team. |
| Yin Fang | Hong Kuo | Lin Zhendong's co-driver. |
| Tian Yu | Manager Ye | A driving school instructor who later becomes Zhang Chi's "sponsor." |
| Zhao Wenzuan | Wan Heping | Chairman of the Racing Association. |
| Tengger | Performer of the film's theme song and makes a cameo appearance as "Big Brother." |
Cultural Impact
Pegasus became one of the popular films during the 2019 Chinese New Year holiday season after its release. Its cultural impact is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Firstly, the film presented the relatively niche culture of rally racing to the general public in a visually impactful way. The depiction of the Bayinbulak track and the professional racing footage in the movie sparked interest in motorsport among some viewers. Han Han, as a top domestic amateur racing driver, integrated his professional understanding of racing into the film, ensuring the authenticity and震撼 (impact) of the competitive scenes.
Secondly, the film's core theme of "passion and devotion" resonated widely. The protagonist Zhang Chi's line, "I don't want to win; I just don't want to lose," and his all-or-nothing spirit for his dream moved many ordinary people struggling for life and ideals. The film's ending also prompted audiences to reflect on the meaning of success and付出 (sacrifice).
Finally, the film is a successful fusion of Shen Teng's comedic style and Han Han's authorial expression. It contains both dense comedic elements带有 (with) the color of "Happy Mahjong" and carries the consistent youthful sentiment, respect for professionalism, and调侃 (banter) about现实困境 (real-world difficulties) found in Han Han's works, forming a unique "comedy-inspirational" style that expanded the dimensions of Chinese commercial comedy films.
References
- Douban Movie - Pegasus Homepage (includes rating, synopsis, cast and crew list)
https://movie.douban.com/subject/30163509/ - Mtime - Pegasus Special Feature (includes news, box office data, behind-the-scenes information)
https://www.mtime.com/movie/237192/ - People's Daily Online - Report "Pegasus Focuses on Racing Dreams, Han Han and Shen Teng Jointly Create热血喜剧 (Hot-blooded Comedy)"
http://ent.people.com.cn/n1/2019/0201/c1012-30606266.html
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