In the Lost Lands

I had high expectations for In the Lost Lands, given the well-known cast and the intriguing premise. Unfortunately, this turned out to be one of the worst movies I've seen in a cinema.

The film relies heavily on visual effects, but beyond that, there is little to enjoy. The storyline is chaotic and lacks clarity, making it difficult to stay engaged. The dialogue feels artificial-almost as if it were generated by AI-devoid of any real emotion or depth.

Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista are talented actors, and their performances were solid, but even great acting can't save a movie with a weak script. A compelling story is the backbone of any good film, and this one simply didn't have it.

I can't help but wonder: Did anyone actually read the script before agreeing to this project? With such a high-budget production, featuring top-tier actors and elaborate CGI, it's baffling that the storytelling was so poor.

I'm giving In the Lost Lands a 5/10, solely because of the acting and visual effects. Sadly, without a strong narrative, it all feels like an empty spectacle.

"In The Lost Lands" sets the stage for an action-packed adventure, starring the duo of Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich. Unfortunately, despite its promising premise, the film ends up being a muddled mix of contrasting elements that fail to deliver on its potential.

The movie attempts to blend light-hearted banter with fast-paced action scenes, but rather than complementing each other, these two elements feel disjointed. The interactions between Bautista and Jovovich are meant to bring an engaging dynamic to the screen, yet their relationship comes across as confusing and inconsistent. It's as if the film can't quite decide if it wants to be a buddy action flick or a more serious, high-stakes adventure. The result? A love-hate chemistry that never quite resonates.

The monsters featured in the film are a notable aspect, with two very distinct types making an appearance. However, while they could have added an exciting layer to the narrative, their presence doesn't feel fully explored or impactful. The action sequences, though fast-paced, seem to lack any real depth or excitement, leaving the audience somewhat detached.

The pacing of the movie is another point of frustration. For all the action and monster encounters, the film still manages to drag in places. Despite the thrilling backdrop, I found myself zoning out at times, wondering why the story failed to maintain my attention. The blend of humor, action, and monstrous threats should have kept things lively, but instead, it felt like a series of missed opportunities.

In conclusion, "In The Lost Lands" is a film that doesn't quite know what it wants to be. The relationship between Bautista and Jovovich offers a flicker of potential, but the inconsistent tone, lackluster action, and overall pacing make it a difficult movie to invest in. While it may appeal to those who enjoy lighter, more chaotic fantasy films, I found it hard to stay engaged.

In the Lost Lands had all the right ingredients to be an exciting fantasy adventure-strong leads in Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich, a promising world, and some genuinely fun twists along the way. Unfortunately, it never fully comes together in a satisfying way.

Bautista, as always, brings a commanding presence, and Jovovich delivers her signature action-hero energy. There are moments that hint at a deeper, richer world, and a few surprises that add some excitement. But the pacing drags, making it hard to stay fully engaged, and the story doesn't develop in a way that feels particularly compelling. It's not that it's bad, just that it never reaches the heights it seems to be aiming for.

That said, if you're a fan of the actors (which I am), there's still enjoyment to be found here. It's the kind of film that has its moments but ultimately doesn't leave a lasting impact.

Would I recommend it? Maybe-for die-hard fans of Bautista and Jovovich or those who just want a bit of fantasy escapism. But for anyone looking for a truly gripping story, this one might get lost in the shuffle.

In the Lost Lands" is not just a bad movie-it's a masterclass in how to take an intriguing concept and strip it of anything remotely compelling. Paul W. S. Anderson, the king of soulless adaptations, once again proves that he can turn even rich source material into a dull, lifeless, CGI-infested wasteland. This so-called "dark fantasy epic" feels more like a two-hour endurance test, complete with cringe-worthy dialogue, terrible pacing, and a story that stumbles over itself before falling flat on its face.

Milla Jovovich, ever loyal to her director husband, sleepwalks through the role of Gray Alys, a "powerful" witch who does absolutely nothing of consequence. Dave Bautista's Boyce is reduced to a grunting sidekick whose only personality trait is looking annoyed. Arly Jover's villain, Ash, is as generic as they come-another discount "mysterious antagonist" who seems to exist solely because the film needs a bad guy.

Visually, it's an absolute mess. The CGI looks cheap, the sets are empty and lifeless, and the action sequences-supposedly a highlight-are choppy, weightless, and completely devoid of impact. The editing is so erratic that it feels like the movie was pieced together by someone who had never seen a film before. The color grading makes everything look like it was shot through a dirty fish tank, and the soundtrack is as forgettable as the script itself.

The biggest crime of In the Lost Lands is that it's boring. There's no tension, no stakes, and no reason to care. It pretends to have deep lore but refuses to develop it, instead throwing vague fantasy jargon at the audience and hoping it sticks. Even George R. R. Martin's weak endorsement-saying it "captured his voice better than other adaptations"-feels more like a desperate attempt to salvage its reputation than genuine praise.

By the time the credits roll, the only real mystery is how this ever got made. A movie with this much potential should not be this awful. In the Lost Lands is a soulless, plodding, incoherent disaster that even the most forgiving fantasy fans should avoid at all costs. If you're looking for a dark fantasy adventure, watch literally anything else."

I knew going into this it was going to be bad. I love this type of theme but they always seem to screw it up with bad writing. Id love to finally see a good movie with this type of setting. I will say part of it I was entertained. Action, relationships, some twists and turns. When we left the theater, multiple people mentioned it didn't make sense. While it did to me, I get that viewpoint. Because it was weak when they were trying to be creative. It's a sleeper, and i don't suggest people use their hard earned money to see this. While it was beautiful and you could see they put in a lot of work, it just came out super flat with the story.

Watched at AMC on 3-6-2025.