Tomb raiding trio Wu Xie, Xiao Ge and Wang Pang Zi’s latest swashbuckling adventure ends on a high as Ultimate Note 终极笔记 , the newest addition to The Lost Tomb franchise unlocks an achievement when book fans of Nan Pai San Shu’s Grave Robbers Chronicles / Daomu Biji 盗墓笔记 series give it their rousing stamp of approval! You know it’s good when even book fans give it their thumbs up!
Despite having an all new cast with Joseph Zeng Shunxi, Xiao Yuliang (reprising his role as Xiao Ge after Tomb of the Sea) and Cheng Fangxu’s version of the “iron triangle,” Hani Kezi as Ah Ning and Liu Yuning as Hei Yanjing aka Black Glasses, the series seem to have hit the sweet spot with many viewers who grew to love the characters once more and who enjoyed seeing the friendship between Wu Xie and Xiao Ge growing stronger throughout their adventures.
Compared to the earlier adaptations which boasts of a higher profile cast (and budget), Ultimate Note has a relatively inexperienced cast. However, the warm reception received from fans by the show proves that a good show does not necessarily have to come with a higher price tag.
Of course it doesn’t hurt too that the Ultimate Note’s screenwriters were also quite clever in their approach, opting to stick to the plot of the original books as much as they can with this adaptation which is based on books 4 to 7 of the nine Daomu Biji books.
No Love For His Characters
Ironically, it was also for this very reason that author Xu Lei (Nan Pai San Shu’s real name) was trending recently when Netizens pointed out how ridiculous it was that a drama where the book’s original author was NOT involved in the development turned out to be one of the most faithful to the books. Unlike the other adaptions, Xu Lei didn’t have a hand in the production of Ultimate Note which was mainly produced by iQiyi and H&R Century Pictures.
H&R Century Pictures also produced The Lost Tomb and Explore with the Note. While the previous live adaptations some of which Xu Lei worked on himself as the screenwriter have its charms, there were complaints about fillers and drastic changes to the original plot! As such, Netizens have complained that the author appears to have no love for his characters at all.
Source: 1
Kelly
I like this adaption the most.
Zhang Angelaine
Yes, Ultimate Note is a MUST SEE. I have seen it 3 times! By chance I happened to watch 沙海 and the rest of the other 盗墓笔记 just followed till I ended with Ultimate Note. Ultimate Note has really touched my inner thoughts and made me feel quite sad on the episode when Zhang Qiling said “我是一个没有过去和未来的人，如果在这个世界上消失，没有人会发现…….” . 虽然小哥是一个寡言的人，但他说那些活的时候，你会觉的很感动也很想哭。This character is quite amazing! 这位小哥 绝对是真正的张起灵。 肖宇梁，你这么把张起灵这个人物从书里抠出来的呢？Although all of the cast are newbies but they can delivered. As you can see they are actually quite good in all of the episodes and every scenario; 吴邪，胖子，小花，黑眼镜，潘子 and the rest of the cast. Every episode is just as exciting and it creates an earnest feel that you must not miss the following episodes. And the songs are good – 刘宇宁 – his songs are super! He has also sang for 沙海. Kudos to the screen writers, directors too and the hard work of the crew. I hope there is Ultimate Note 2 in the near future but it must have the same cast. 他们已经把这些重要的人物带出来了！南派三叔，请你考虑考虑我的意见. 谢谢你.
My opinion of the other dramas of 盗墓笔记 , the characters of Zhang Qiling are just 马马虎虎. The other casts were also just so-so. There were not much creativity in their characters or simply said “没有特别的特色和印象“. I can give them a pass only.