In the Lost Lands

"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" 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."

Why did I go and watch this movie in spite of bad reviews? Because I am a sucker for dystopia, good imagination, and Milla Jovovich. And all of them worked well. Some action scenes were excellent. Character introductions was well done. The twist was satisfying too.

Where the movie failed was in the narration of story. It was fragmented. Like 6 episodes put together to make 1 movie. And that where the movie fails. Some action scenes were good but given the fact they were just CGI, they could have been made more spectacular. Few more characters could have been given more depth.

Overall, it is a wasted opportunity which could have easily been made into a cult classic with more sequels.

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.

2 out of 5 stars.

In the Lost Lands is a bad fantasy epic film that is based on a story from George Martin. Which the story is brief and lacking substance.

Pros:

The film is very fast moving. It's a Paul W. S. Anderson film which means it's going to be quickly paced. Plenty of action. And mindless entertainment. Well it is fast paced but it lacks every thing else in the film.

Cons:

It is one of Paul W. S. Anderson worst films in his history. The Three Musketeers had a somewhat decent entertainment value. I loved the Resident Evil films for what it was. And it was not much. It was plenty of entertainment. Even his Monster Hunter. In the Lost Lands is a film that is a combo of genres of gunslingers, westerns. And post apocalyptic. Mad Max with a bit of werewolves, witches and monsters. And a cult of church fanatics that went insane. Film was all over the place. It was just boring.

The visual effect were throughout the movie from sets and back drop. Creating the hazy, brooding atmosphere, and dark lighting. Film just felt like one big hazy dream. Lots of camera lens flares that was used for the tone of the film just felt like a cheap production.

The plot was fast and lacking development with the story. It was difficult to care for any characters.

The action sequences were disappointing. Paul Andersons worst films on handling the action. It was brief in most scenes. And lacking the entertainment value. The climatic fight with Werewolf and Witch was short and quick. It was hard to care for it.

Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista were okay with there roles. The script had cheesy dialogue filled for there characters and lacking any depth for them. The villain was very forgettable and was just there to be the person chasing the characters throughout the film.

Overall, it was one bad film that action was boring, even the story and direction. It was shocking to see Paul Anderson slipping as a filmmaker. Which he does a great job in creating blockbuster entertainment. This fantasy film is not one of them.