Zhan Lang II (2017)

Mediocre.

This sequel is among the highest-grossing films of 2017. It performed exceptionally well in China, but significantly less so outside of it. However, that isn't even that important anymore these days; the market in China is more than large enough to compete with the biggest Hollywood films.

Unfortunately, that doesn't immediately make for a good film. The fuss surrounding patriotism isn't even the biggest problem; by American standards, it isn't even that grotesque or exaggerated, although you certainly can't ignore it at the end (with the little flag).

The film actually starts off really well. A very cool action scene where creative camerawork creates a smashing opening. But that is immediately the best part of the film. Once the story gets going, it goes downhill fairly quickly.

The drama is subpar anyway, but it is really the action scenes that fail to convince. Everything feels rather detached and random. The editing is truly terrible, and the action violence itself isn't that impressive either. A bit of shooting, some mediocre tank action, and only rarely any hand-to-hand combat.

The acting is also barely watchable; fortunately, that isn't the most important thing in a film like this. But as far as I'm concerned, part 1 was better, and it is a film that adds very little to the Chinese action genre. Too many American influences, good for nothing (except for the bank account, that is).

2.0*

Translated from Dutch · View original

It's really nice that Netflix is offering this one. Not that it's a good movie—quite the opposite—but I was curious about the one for the film that grossed over $800 million in China.
The first scene is slightly amazing. In long shots and underwater, that is incredibly well done and original to watch. But after that, the film falls flat very quickly. Mediocre story, mediocre CGI (especially explosions and smoke), very mediocre action, unremarkable drama, hardly any interesting locations, and completely lacking in substance. The acting is commensurate and unremarkable. The film sags so much that you think that first scene was shot by someone else entirely. And then those final words to the Chinese people as a piece of patriotism, that is laughable. 1.0*.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Mediocre action movie. The story is wafer-thin and very predictable. The execution is quite monotonous. The film consists mainly of action scenes that follow each other in rapid succession. The action is inconsistent. Some fights look good and are well put together. On the other hand, there are also clumsy, over-the-top scenes with bad CGI. The ending with the tanks, in particular, is almost laughably bad. Wu does deliver a fine performance as an action hero, though. Visually very inconsistent; sometimes beautiful and realistic, but often very fake, with a lot camouflaged by smoke and explosions. 2.5

Translated from Dutch · View original