Review | Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms movie review – Chinese fantasy based on classic book a visually stunning, action-packed romp
- Based on 16th-century Chinese novel The Investiture of the Gods, Wuershan’s epic stars Kris Phillips (Fei Xiang) as a warlord chasing power in a cursed kingdom
- Sumptuous set design and a compelling turn from the Chinese-American star have already helped make this first instalment in a planned trilogy a hit in China
4/5 stars
Humans, immortals and mythological creatures duke it out to control the fate of the Earth in director Wuershan’s rollicking fantasy epic Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms.
Set more than 3,000 years ago, during ancient China’s Shang dynasty (1600BC-1050BC), this is the first instalment in a planned trilogy of films adapted from Xu Zhonglin’s classic 16th century novel The Investiture of the Gods.
The action revolves around a duplicitous power grab orchestrated by Lord Yin Shou (Kris Phillips a.k.a. Fei Xiang), who violently assumes the Shang throne in the capital city of Zhaoge, with the help of a mystical fox demon who possesses the body of the beautiful Su Daji (Naran) – the daughter of Yin’s sworn enemy.
In his quest for ultimate control, Yin has kidnapped the second sons of each of his main rivals, raising them to serve as his own personal guard. Among them is Ji Fa (Yosh Yu), son of the Western Duke Ji Chang (Li Xuejian), whose loyalty will be put to the ultimate test by Yin’s unerring greed.
As the Shang kingdom falls into violent turmoil it is ravaged by a Great Curse, which causes crops to fail and newborns to die in horrifying numbers. From the celestial kingdom of Kunlun, Yuanshi Tianzun (Chen Kun) sends a trio of immortal emissaries to Earth with a sacred scroll, the Fengshen Bang, that has the power to save the kingdom.
However, when they meet Lord Yin, the emissaries decide he is not to be trusted with such powerful magic, leading to a desperate chase to protect the scroll.
Already a notable box office success in mainland China, Wuershan’s film is a ravishing romp through Chinese folklore that bursts with sumptuous production design, breathless action, and some surprisingly racy scenes of forbidden passion between Lord Yin and his supernatural consort.
Indeed, Philips’ performance has garnered unexpected praise from audiences, and not merely because of the 62-year-old performer’s towering, shredded physique – his unconventional Mandarin pronunciation has also delighted viewers.
With two more instalments scheduled for release between now and 2025, one can only hope Wuershan sustains the same level of excitement, suspense and visual bravado that propels this hugely entertaining extravaganza.
