Mojin: The Worm Valley

I really liked the first MOJIN film, so I went to a Chinese cinema to see the second one in 3D, but the story and execution were not as good as in the first one. This time the adventurers go to the mystical province of Yunan, looking for a talisman that is protected by armies of large monsters (lizards, scorpions, a killer crab etc), but things end up too melodramatic, although the CGI effects are actually well done.

Other than the CGI that I can give credit to, the acting was so childish and their "heroic" actions were so dumb. All they know is to say "run" when they wake the monsters. Facing the monsters, they got the brilliant mind to use a regular rope to stop the monsters. When they were running away from the giant crocodiles, one of them used a bow and arrows to fight back. When they were facing any challenges, the team would unconsciously stand together in a straight line for the camera shot. Watching this movie made me feel like it was made for seven years old kids. Strongly suggest MPA film ratings should create a new category called NC-7: No One 7 and above admitted. Clearly children. Adults are not admitted.

Decent enough for no2 would have preferred original cast but these were ok Song in it was grt too

If you're looking for action / adventure, this movie has it. Don't go in expecting much more. The plot is thin, the storyline consists of run run hide run some more stab run shoot a bow and never run out of arrows run run run hide run hide run more jump... well, that's the story.

The ending is especially disappointing as it just hangs the audience in mid air and leaves them there, as if we're supposed to magically know what the director is thinking. Is this a cliff hanger to a third movie? Did they succeed or fail in their quest? The writers never clue the audience in on what's going on.

The CGI in this was superb. The sets, the monsters, etc, are all up to snuff-- as one would expect in any 2018 movie worth its salt. However the characters are 2-D, the plot resolution non-existent, the movie ultimately disappointing. I'm being generous in giving it a mediocre 5 stars... and that's based on CGI alone (as well as some pleasant music in a few places).

There's just no excuse for sloppy, lazy writing. If ya don't have a good script, don't make the movie.

So I saw all the reviews, a lot of negativity. At least acknowledge the effort made to create this fantasy world! The acting was nice, sometimes a bit overtop but I didn't mind, it's a different mentality and culture like so many more in this world! There are so many beautiful scenes and landscapes and the there's no lack of action that's for sure! I really don't care sometimes if the storyline is weak because I just want to be entertained and not educated! All the people are beautiful and most are good hearted, a dream for the real world. I found it also inspiring regarding not to give up in the face of horrible danger. I loved the death scene of Linglong , even though she was mortally wounded she had the energy to deliver a speech up to when she died, which happens frequently in movies. I was moved.

I think this film is worth watching, didn't see the series but did see the first one.