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James Marsh

4/5 stars
Forces of good and evil from the human world and the spirit realm go head to head in Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, the second chapter in Wuershan’s spectacular adaptation of the 16th century Chinese fantasy novel Investiture of the Gods.
This time out, the action focuses on the Shang army’s siege of Xiqi City, as the evil Lord Yin Shou (Kris Phillips) continues his quest to become ruler of the entire kingdom.
A magical scroll infused with the power of the gods, known as the Fengshen Bang, is also up for grabs, and a multitude of warriors, immortals and mythical beasts duke it out in order to wield its power.


The first film focused on the rise of the devious Lord Yin, who murdered his own family and abducted the firstborns of his various enemies in order to shore up his dominance across the region.
But the ageing Yin’s strength is now waning despite the help he is getting from a seductive fox spirit (Naran) and the dark sorcery of three-eyed Wen Zhong (Wu Hsing-kuo).
Control of the Shang army falls to the beautiful Deng Chanyu (Nashi), a formidable general and last surviving member of the loyal Deng clan.
Each time her troops clash with those commanded by Xiqi’s Ji Fa (Yosh Yu Shi), however, the pair are thrown together in precarious meet-cutes that inevitably force both warriors to question their allegiances and recognise their growing feelings for one another.
Immortal emissary Jiang Ziya (Huang Bo) brings the Fengshen Bang to Xiqi City to assist in its defence, while Yin Jiao (Chen Muchi) is resurrected by drawing power from Yuanshi Tianzun (Chen Kun) and the other gods of Kunlun, returning to Earth as a three-headed deity primed to do battle against Yin’s marauding army of giants and undead soldiers.

While it must be conceded that the alluring sensuality of the first film is sorely missed here, Wuershan delivers another rollicking fantasy adventure, bursting with vividly drawn characters, crackling set pieces and eye-popping visual effects.
The true revelation of Creation of the Gods: Demon Force is the actress Nashi, in a much expanded role that should prove a genuine star-making turn for the relative newcomer.
While Ji Fa and Yin Jiao wrestle with the fallout of Yin Shou’s reign, it is Chanyu who embodies the film’s emotional core, reconciling her wish to honour her ancestors by dying in battle with a newfound reason to stay alive.

A 16th century novel has spawned one of the most genuinely enthralling Chinese cinematic sagas in recent memory, and for its fans there is great news: no less than three post-credits sequences here tee up a third and final chapter in the Creation of the Gods series.
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Nashi as general Deng Chanyu in a still from Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.

Yosh Yu as Ji Fa in a still from Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force (category IIB; Mandarin), directed by Wuershan. Huang Bo and Nashi co-star.

Huang Bo as immortal emissary Jiang Ziya in a still from Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.

Nashi in a still from Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force. As general Deng Chanyu, she is a revelation in a role much expanded from the first film. 

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Wuershan’s rollicking fantasy adventure sequel to his Creation of the Gods has an expanded role for Nashi, and the actress is a revelation


Wuershan’s rollicking fantasy adventure sequel to his Creation of the Gods has an expanded role for Nashi, and the actress is a revelation.


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Review | Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force movie review – Chinese fantasy continues to enthral

Wuershan’s rollicking fantasy adventure sequel to his Creation of the Gods has an expanded role for Nashi, and the actress is a revelation