Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms

Chinese mythological epics are rare - mainly because cast of characters and their relationships to mystical themes can be overwhelming. Lots of characters and events compete with waning audience attention.

It's surprising how satisfying the film is. There's battles galore, assisted by the support of abundant CGI in nearly every frame; some effects worked (the battles) while others didn't (the flying fox spirit), while a visit to the realm of the immortals was disappointing. While the story itself was irregularly paced, I found it more absorbing than, say, LOTR, and you can't deny that Chinese mythology has never been rendered as well as this film.

There's loud instrumental music from start to finish, with plenty of fights to keep your attention. The sincerity of the narrative is balanced by an amusing trio of spirits who try to prop up a failing Shang dynasty. It's really a miracle of sorts that the narrative coheres so well.

As a Chinese-speaking expat in China and a movie enthusiast, I've had the opportunity to watch the majority of Chinese films released over the past decade since my move here. With a profound respect for Chinese culture, "Creations of the Gods: Kingdom of Storms" was truly the cherry on top for me. It breathed life into my Chinese mythology fantasies, all while maintaining a remarkable level of professionalism. This movie boasts exceptional quality, and I find myself consistently recommending it to those around me. Witnessing the industry progress to such lengths is nothing short of amazing!

This movie deserves a place in cinemas worldwide. I hope it will be appreciated by viewers around the globe.

An absolutely needed movie for Chinese cinematography. Surprisingly edgy and mystical that makes one wonder how did it ever pass the "bar". Many scenes reminded me of the Red Wedding from Game of Thrones, and indeed as many lauded, this could very well be the Chinese version of GOT or Lord of the Rings. At the same time, the film has so many things that is so distinctly Chinese in terms of its value system and culture. No doubt, I hope the sequels gets the green light, as these films could really push our culture and stories forward to a larger stage. Only gripe is that there is still a sense of awkwardness in some of the acting, most specifically with the King. Nevertheless, it is still one of the greatest villains I've seen in a Chinese film and the casting of the younger actors are fantastic, finally some masculinity again!

Absolutely a fantastic movie, the storyline, the acting, the virtual images, the music all made this movie an Epic movie.

Let me talk about the conclusion first: this is the best mythical epic movie in China!

As a fan who read Fengshen Yanyi at the age of seven and re-read the original novel countless times in more than 20 years, I can say responsibly that this movie is definitely not a magic reform! On the contrary, it is the first masterpiece among all film and television adaptations.

Some passages that seem magical at first glance are actually well-founded, and they are the optimal solution after careful research and selection. The adaptation of the movie is very good.

This new story from a contemporary perspective can be called a divine script. It is seamless from beginning to end, and echoes before and after the transition.

Can't wait for the 2nd one!! Highly recommend to everyone!

Since its detonating release in the mainland, this movie was praised as legend among the viewers. Indeed, Feng Shen represents China's highest standard of film production, whether VFX, production and costume design, screenplay adoption, choreography, and performance. Despite the few scenes at Kunlun with questionable green screen utility, the visual effect is much better than that in The Flash, as the extreme wide shots of the coronation or the sacrificial pyre depict architectural grandeur without forgetting the details of men. In terms of bringing one of China's most famed mythology into life, the movie succeeds once more in modifying the intent of Daji the Fox Demon and adding the Army of Hostages; my personal favorites are Nezha's Fire Wheels and Red Sash, which are exactly what I pictured from the original text. Performance wise, Fei Xiang and Na Ran are doubtlessly the best castings for the devious tyrant and the animalistic temptress.

Onto the negatives, the movie seems to portray plot-driven characters instead of having the characters pilot the storylines. Especially approaching the final act, the deaths and arcs of numerous characters, including the protagonist, either appear scripted or simply do not convince me. This could be the result of extensive editing and condensation in regards to the length, which is always an issue for commercial films with adopted screenplay. The work is enough as entertainment, but if the trilogy wants to become classic, it still needs a push.

Can't wait to see the second.