Feng Shen 2: Zhan huo Xi qi

With the all-conquering "Shang" dynasty looking as if it's about to die out, their ailing King commands his young general "Deng" (Nashi) to attack the fortified city of Xiqi and retrieve something that might just prevent their extinction. Meantime, the folks in that city are ruled by a young man "Ji Fa" (Yosh Yu) who is enthusiastic and honourable, but not exactly a tactician. Despite his best efforts, the encroaching army arrives at the walls of his city aided by four powerful giants, all equipped with magical talisman. It's during this battle that the lines are truly drawn with a few immortals coming to the aid of the city and with both "Ji" and "Deng" finding themselves facing a new scenario for which neither are prepared, and which tests their mettle and their loyalties as an angry denouement looms. This is my kind of film: mixing mystery and mythology with superb special effects and a solid story that, though maybe a little predictable towards the end, has all the ingredients of a stylish and engaging acton-adventure. There's imagination a-plenty gone into the production and the characterisations offer us a little more than just the usual linearly flat persona. The green flying ogre works hard for his living here, and the last twenty minutes are lively and colourfully delivered. Might their be a trilogy? It does need a cinema, a big screen makes all the the difference.

"Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece that seamlessly blends fantasy, action, and rich cultural elements into a breathtaking spectacle. As a sequel, it expands on the world introduced in its predecessor, delivering a storyline that is both grand in scale and deeply personal in its emotional resonance.

The film's strength lies in its impeccable visual effects. The mythical creatures, grand battles, and magical elements are brought to life in a way that is both awe-inspiring and immersive. The CGI is top-notch, setting a new standard for the genre. Every frame is meticulously crafted, with vibrant colors and meticulously detailed action sequences that draw you deeper into its fantastical world. The battles are brutal yet beautiful, with each clash feeling like a carefully choreographed dance of destruction.

The plot continues the journey of gods, demons, and mortals, exploring the delicate balance between good and evil. The storyline is rich and layered, with new characters introduced who are compelling and well-developed. What truly makes "Demon Force" stand out is its emotional depth. Despite the larger-than-life battles and supernatural occurrences, the film never loses sight of its characters' personal struggles. The themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the consequences of power are explored in poignant and thought-provoking ways.

The performances are outstanding across the board. The cast has excellent chemistry, with each actor fully embodying their respective roles. The protagonist's journey is particularly moving, as they face moral dilemmas and the weight of their actions. The supporting characters are not just sidekicks; they have depth and provide crucial moments of insight and emotional connection to the larger narrative.

The pacing of the film is well-balanced, ensuring that the action doesn't overpower the heart of the story. There is a sense of urgency and tension throughout, but also quiet, reflective moments that ground the fantasy in human emotion. Director's vision is clear, crafting a movie that appeals to both fans of high fantasy and those looking for a story with emotional depth.

In conclusion, "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" is a triumph in every aspect. From its stunning visuals to its emotionally charged performances and gripping storyline, this film is a must-see for anyone who appreciates epic cinema. It sets a new benchmark for films in the fantasy genre, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. A perfect 10 out of 10!

What a movie to start off the New Year with! Continuing the first movie's box office success and technological breakthroughs, Creation of Gods II returns with more VFX shots than the total amount of shots in the previous. Whether the flock of dragons at the Kunlun Mountain, the paralyzing light beams afloat moonless sky, or the mythical gadgets of deities and giants, the film does not fail to entertain with its cinematic interpretation of classical figures, warfare, and anecdotes. The climactic battle of the "ten deadly formation" greatly balances quests of individual characters with the story's progression and involves numerous ancient tactics of war by Sun Tzu, such as sowing dissension, sowing discord, extraction, espionage, and assassination. All the meantime, director Wuershan is able to maintain quality narrative and aesthetic control of the coloring, lighting, costume, production design, and music accompaniment.

Performance wise, everyone except the two young protagonists from last film is terrific. Huang Bo, Kris Phillips, and Hsing-Kuo Wu --- all reputable actors and obvious carriers of their parts. Nashi's General Deng Chanyu veritably surprised me: a fierce warrior bound to war and honor who gradually reveals her capacity to love, compassion, and dancing by the fire. Even trivial side characters with less than minutes of screen time shine in their sequences.

The pacing of the movie's first half and some of the CGI (the blue giant) could definitely be improved, but overall a laudable success for a commercial film.

This is my first time leaving a review for a movie. It (together with the director) has been bullied badly on Chinese social media, and some comments are atrocious. I have to say something to support this beautiful movie and hope the director will be able to finish the third one, the last sequel.

I have watched the movie twice and wish I could watch it more on the big screen; unfortunately, I couldn't watch it on IMAX, which it was made for. But anyway, the movie has superb cinematography. The storyline may not be easy to understand the first time. I understood it better after the second watch. There are many metaphors, and the director weaves the plots masterfully. The theme of the movie is loving people. What/Who does one fight for? Every twist and turn in the movie is the main characters trying to find the answer to the question.

I cried seeing the thousands of names rolling on the screen at the end. Some people have gone. They didn't live to see their work in theatre. The crew started to make the movies about eight years ago and conquered many obstacles to bring the movies to the audience. Search for the behind-the-scenes videos.

People who insult the director and crew and give the movie a very low rating do not respect the 10,000 people, many of whom gave their best years to this project.

I enjoyed the first movie for its great visuals and interesting storyline. Although the second one adds a whole lot more CGI scenes, it isn't more visually stunning. Instead, most of the mythical creatures look cheap and fake, and the airview of the ancient Xiqi city is simply too cartoonish to be true. The story itself is also extremely boring, the editing is unbelievably poor, and most of the actors cannot act. Lots of the scenes and dialogues in the movies are just unnecessary, and the development of main characters doesn't make sense at all. I, for sure, won't go to the movie theater for the third one.