“Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” should still not only be seen with a live audience, but on the biggest screen possible.

What Wuershan has so far depicted on screen is so creative and of sincerity in its image and mythmaking that it becomes hard to resist its audaciousness, something that feels rare in the stale moviegoing era we currently live in.

While foreknowledge of Chinese folklore and philosophy (and, of course, watching the first film) can help bring out the depth of the storytelling as a viewer, its immediate blockbuster impact doesn’t turn that into a requirement to get your money’s worth

Wuershan's epic sequel boasts higher stakes and better pacing.