Japanese anime has always been conscious of societal issues, from oppression to environmentalism. Representation of these topics can make for interestingly satisfying debate, while also grounding stories in present-day reality. Ghibli’s greatest charade against industrialism, “Princess Mononoke” is a stunningly vivid portrait of the environment and the role organisms play in it, presenting a morally conscious theme with perspective and tenderness.

For a while now, the Chinese film industry has been growing and growing year-over-year. Bigger, better, and more polished, their tentpoles have come a long way in the past decade. China’s “Creation of the Gods” franchise, their attempt at making a big-budget LOTR-like franchise of the stories contained in the mythological “Investiture of the Gods,” is back with its 2nd installment, aptly titled “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.” Given the iffy quality of the 1st one, does this manage to surpass expectations?