The Wandering Earth (2019) Guo Fan directed blockbuster Chinese sci-fi film

[Zaibatan]

This review explains that the film is indeed not a sequel but a prequel.

[Ian Jane]

I realize what the film is called but that doesn't look like a sequel from the trailer.

The article linked specifies "a sequel for Frant Gwo’s sci fi blockbuster hit, The Wandering Earth, is getting a North American release exclusively In Theaters and IMAX starting January 22nd from Well Go USA", and I'm assuming that's correct (but obviously can't say for sure).

[Zaibatan]

Well Go USA picked up the rights to the sequel.

I realize what the film is called but that doesn't look like a sequel from the trailer.

[Ian Jane]

Well Go USA picked up the rights to the sequel.

https://cityonfire.com/frant-gwos-th...teaser-poster/

[Ian Jane]

This just popped up on Netflix.

https://bloody-disgusting.com/home-v...opped-netflix/

[47lab]

Poster and trailers for the aforementioned upcoming award winning HK visual effects artist Ng Yuen-fai's directorial debut, WARRIORS OF FUTURE.

[Zaibatan]

Netflix nabbed the worldwide (except China, of course, where there is no netflix anyway) streaming rights to this film. No release date, as is common for netflix.

https://variety.com/2019/film/asia/n...th-1203144647/

[47lab]

Surprisingly positive review by Simon Abrams who abhorred Wu Jing's past films especially the WOLF WARRIOR series and trivialized them as nothing more than jingoistic propaganda. Now he's giddily proclaiming "The future is here, and it is nerve-wracking, gorgeous, and Chinese."

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/t...ing-earth-2019

Compare the blockbuster numbers THE WANDERING EARTH is mustering just in domestic release to the amount of money ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL must bring from overseas markets to just break even let alone be profitable.

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/a...er-1203141963/

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/b...al-1203141972/

[Ian Jane]

I haven't seen the movie so I can't really comment, but it's interesting that at least this is raising the discussion.

[47lab]

It seems that this movie is being 'pirated like crazy' in China.

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/02...earth-pirated/

Fake news.

This is what I'm talking about. Go to 10:48 on the YT vid and check out this brain dead professor of film studies, Joanne Cheng trying to call out Wu Jing and his "nationalism" by claiming he's just a "propaganda tool" of the CCP because they kept showing the Chinese flag patches throughout the movie on his astronaut suit but gets promptly put in her place by the moderator, Liu Xin. She actually got baited by the leading question and went "hurrrr durrrr" & had to backtrack and say she really likes Wu Jing at the end.

[Ian Jane]

It seems that this movie is being 'pirated like crazy' in China.

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/02...earth-pirated/

[47lab]

Thanks for the review! I look forward to checking this out when I get the chance. And I'm definitely rooting for its financial success because Hollywood's monopoly on mega-budget science fiction films needs to end.

Same here. I respect actor and producer Wu Jing. He put his money where his mouth is and not only forfeited his salary but contributed out of his own pocket to get this movie finished. I've read a lot of investors pulled out of this project because they were wary of a relatively unknown director, the high cost and whether hard sci-fi will play to the general public (must remember sci-fi was banned under the CCP until the 80s). Of course, Wu Jing put his stake as producer and his gamble looks to have paid off, perhaps even handsomely judging by the early box office returns but it was a calculated risk nonetheless.

I also respect him for not giving any fucks when he's assailed by Western journalists/reviewers about his movies (namely the WOLF WARRIOR series) being nothing more than nationalistic Chinese propaganda & mouthpieces for the CCP. Talk about not throwing stones in glass houses! Hollywood is the forerunner in producing these type of action blockbusters full of nationalistic propaganda as it's well documented the CIA has been influencing Hollywood since it's inception back in the 1940s. I'm glad Wu Jing doesn't just give this type of hypocrisy a pass but calls it out.

[Zaibatan]

Thanks for the review! I look forward to checking this out when I get the chance. And I'm definitely rooting for its financial success because Hollywood's monopoly on mega-budget science fiction films needs to end.

[47lab]

Went to check this out earlier today and enjoyed it enough for me take in a second viewing. It was a packed house with Lunar New Year in full swing and that made watching it more enjoyable. As mentioned, I'm going to watch it again tomorrow night with a couple of buddies for the IMAX version. Nice to see Wu Jing get away from his heavy action hero role and play a more dramatic one, although he is largely absent for the better part of the movie and also cool to see an old familiar face in Ng Man-tat with more than just a brief cameo. The effects and CG work were generally well done & the production values match anything coming out of Hollywood which is not surprising as they contracted out work to notable VFX firms such as Bottleship and Pixomondo. The dramatic story and acting were a mixed bag but generally was fine except a couple of exceptions - one being the half Chinese/half Anglo comedic relief character (he wasn't funny to me from reading the subs but the Chinese audience was hooting at this lines, so perhaps it's the delivery?) & Wu Jing's Russian cosmonaut partner was also a goof and their chemistry was askew from the beginning. Some of the scenes of self sacrifice just didn't have the emotional impact that I felt it could've had or should've had due to the lack of character depth and the musical score seemed off a times as well but overall, it was a fun big spectacle sci fi blockbuster type film without being too Michael Bayish.

[47lab]

Really looking forward to this one when it opens up at my local cineplex for Lunar New Year. Based on the novel by renowned Chinese sci-fi author, Liu Cixin and it could just be the breakout big blockbuster film that the Chinese film industry needs to put Hollywood on notice.

A couple of years ago, I was also looking forward to the Louis Koo produced & starring big budget HK/China sci-fi flick, VIRTUS but seems that flick has hit some bumps along the way and went through a title change (now called WARRIORS OF FUTURE) but it's finally back on track and is also slated for a release later this year. Might be a good year for Asian sci-fi fans.

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/01...arth-trailers/