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''Mojin: The Lost Legend'' (previously titled ''The Ghouls'') (English: ''Touching Gold: The Lost Legend'') is a 2015 Chinese
action Action may refer to: * Action (philosophy), something which is done by a person * Action principles the heart of fundamental physics * Action (narrative), a literary mode * Action fiction, a type of genre fiction * Action game, a genre of video gam ...
adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...
fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...
thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre. ...
based on the novel ''
Ghost Blows Out the Light ''Gui Chui Deng (Ghost Blows Out the Light)'' (), also referred to as ''Candle in the Tomb'', is a fantasy novel series written by (天下霸唱) about a team of grave robbers seeking a hidden treasure haunted by ghosts, with the first book publ ...
''. It was directed by
Wuershan Wuershan (乌尔善) is a Chinese film director of Mongol descent, who was born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia on June 10, 1972. Wuershan's first feature film was ''Soap Opera'' (2004), for which he was awarded the FIPRESCI Award at the Pusan Inte ...
and produced by
Chen Kuo-fu Chen Kuo-fu (born 13 May 1958) is a Taiwanese film director, screenwriter and producer. His film '' The Personals'' was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. Biography Born in 1958 Chen worked as a film ...
. The film was released on December 18, 2015.


Plot

At the beginning of the 1990s, famous tomb explorer Hu Bayi, Wang Kaixuan, and Hu's fiancée Shirley Yang decided to retire to Manhattan. After a supposed split of the team, Wang Kaixuan was pulled into a deal to locate the ancient tomb of a Mongolian princess. Hu Bayi has been having recurring nightmares of his first love, Ding Sitian, who had supposedly died 20 years before in an underground tomb beneath the Mongolian plains. The team is lured back to their original vocation by a mysterious, businesswoman/cult leader Ying Caihong who wants them to find the ancient tomb of a Mongolian princess. They eventually learn that what she really wants is to possess a famed artifact known as the Equinox Flower that allegedly has the power to raise the dead.


Cast

*
Chen Kun Chen Kun ( zh, s=陈坤; born February 4, 1976), sometimes credited as Aloys Chen, is a Chinese actor, singer and producer. He rose to fame for the television series '' Love Story in Shanghai'' (2001) and '' The Story of a Noble Family'' (2003). He ...
as Hu Bayi *
Huang Bo Huang Bo ( zh, c=黄渤, p=Huáng Bó; born August 26, 1974) is a Chinese actor, film director, singer and the current vice-chairman of China Film Association. He is the winner of multiple Chinese film awards, and ranked 34th on Forbes China ...
as Wang Kaixuan *
Shu Qi Lin Li-hui (born 16 April 1976) ( zh, c=林立慧), better known by her stage name Shu Qi ( zh, c=舒淇), is a Hong Kong–Taiwanese actress and model. Widely regarded as one of the most successful Taiwanese actresses of all time, Shu has receive ...
as Shirley Yang *
Angelababy Angela Yeung Wing ( zh, s=杨颖, p=Yáng Yǐng; born 28 February 1989), better known by her stage name Angelababy, is a Chinese model and actress. In 2013, she was chosen by '' Southern Metropolis Entertainment Weekly'' as one of the New Fou ...
as Ding Sitian *
Xia Yu Xia Yu may refer to: *Yu the Great, also known as Xia Yu, legendary founder of the Xia dynasty *Xia Yu (actor) (born 1978), Chinese actor *Ha Yu (actor) Wong Sing (born 14 June 1943), better known by his stage name Ha Yu, is a Hong Kong actor ...
as Big Gold Tooth *
Liu Xiaoqing Liu Xiaoqing (born 30 October 1950) is a Chinese actress and businesswoman. One of the leading actresses in China in the 1980s, she is known for her roles in the films ''The'' ''Little Flower'' (1979)'', Reign Behind a Curtain'' (1983)'', The ...
as Ying Caihong


Production

The film is based on the popular adventure novel series ''
Ghost Blows Out the Light ''Gui Chui Deng (Ghost Blows Out the Light)'' (), also referred to as ''Candle in the Tomb'', is a fantasy novel series written by (天下霸唱) about a team of grave robbers seeking a hidden treasure haunted by ghosts, with the first book publ ...
'' about a trio of legendary grave robbers, and is the second film following ''
Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe ''Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe'' () is a 2015 Chinese 3D adventure action film directed and co-written by Lu Chuan, and stars Mark Chao, Yao Chen, Rhydian Vaughan, Li Chen, Tiffany Tang and Daniel Feng. The film is an adaptation of Zhang M ...
'' to be adapted based on the series. ''Mojin'' was based on the series' last four volumes while ''Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe'' was based on series’ first four volumes. After
Wanda Media Wanda Media (), also known as Wanda Pictures, is a Chinese film production company and distributor. Wanda Media is a subsidiary of Wanda Group which is responsible for the development, investment, production, publicity, marketing, copyright operat ...
acquired the rights to film the last four volumes, other production companies such as Huayi Brothers Media and
Beijing Enlight Pictures Beijing Enlight Pictures Co., Ltd. is a Chinese film production company. In 2014, the company was the third largest film distributor in China, with 7.75% of the market. Beijing Enlight Pictures is a subsidiary of Beijing Enlight Media. History T ...
came on board, adding financial and produced the project. Filming wrapped up in
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
in late March 2015. As of October 14, 2015, the film was being remastered for the IMAX 3D format.


Release

The film was released in 2D, 3D,
IMAX IMAX is a proprietary system of High-definition video, high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and movie theater, theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio (image), aspect ratio (approximately ei ...
and IMAX 3D formats in China on December 18, 2015, and on the same day in the United States and Canada in 2D by
Well Go USA Entertainment Well Go USA Entertainment is an American independent and international film distributor. It distributes films in a variety of genres, including action films, American indie films, and martial arts films, on all types of platforms, including in ...
across 30 theaters. Following the huge commercial success of Chinese films like ''
Monster Hunt ''Monster Hunt'' () is a 2015 mainland Chinese-Hong Kong 3D fantasy action comedy adventure film directed by Raman Hui (in his feature directorial debut). The film was released in China on 16 July 2015 in 3D and IMAX 3D. Upon release, it becam ...
'' and ''
Lost in Hong Kong ''Lost in Hong Kong'' is a 2015 Chinese comedy film directed, co-written and co-produced by Xu Zheng, starring himself along with Zhao Wei, Bao Bei'er, and Du Juan. This is Xu's second directorial feature, after the huge domestic hit '' Lost in ...
'', Greg Foster, senior executive VP,
IMAX Corporation IMAX Corporation is a Canadian production theater company which designs and manufactures IMAX cameras and Projection screen, projection systems as well as performing film development, production, post-production and distribution to IMAX-affiliat ...
and CEO of IMAX Entertainment said the company was looking forward to witness such success again with the film because the suspenseful and visual nature of the film, combined with the Chinese cultural interest in treasure-hunting, makes ''Mojin: The Lost Legend'' a perfect fit for the IMAX experience. It was released in a total of 269 IMAX screens in mainland China. Due to sensitive issues about the circulation of national treasures abroad and the reported prevalence of grave robbing in poorer parts of China, the subject was feared to be taboo on screen, making the project one of the Chinese film industry's most anticipated movie over its three and a half year production period.


Reception


Box office

Prior to its release, various film critics were predicting the film would be a significant hit at the box office. It is the highest-grossing IMAX film of all time in China with $27.1 million (as of January 6, 2016). ''Mojin: The Lost Legend'' earned US$26.4 million on its opening day in China which is the highest-grossing opening day for a 3D local language film. This includes the US$1.34 million it earned from midnight screenings, also a new record for a 3D local film. In addition to this, it earned the largest single-day gross for a local 3D title ($35.5 million on Saturday, December 19). Through its opening weekend, it grossed US$85 million (per
Rentrak Rentrak Corporation is a global media measurement and research company serving the entertainment industry. Rentrak is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, US, with additional offices in the United States and around the world. In February 2016, co ...
), US$91.9 million (per Entgroup) and debuted at No. 1 in China and No. 2 worldwide (behind '' Star Wars: The Force Awakens''). The film has the third biggest three-day opening of all time in China behind ''
Monster Hunt ''Monster Hunt'' () is a 2015 mainland Chinese-Hong Kong 3D fantasy action comedy adventure film directed by Raman Hui (in his feature directorial debut). The film was released in China on 16 July 2015 in 3D and IMAX 3D. Upon release, it becam ...
'' and ''
Lost in Hong Kong ''Lost in Hong Kong'' is a 2015 Chinese comedy film directed, co-written and co-produced by Xu Zheng, starring himself along with Zhao Wei, Bao Bei'er, and Du Juan. This is Xu's second directorial feature, after the huge domestic hit '' Lost in ...
'' (both of which were also released in 2015). Furthermore, it also broke the record for the biggest IMAX midnight gross (US$300,000), opening day (US$2.7 million) and opening weekend (US$7.5 million) from 250 IMAX screens. In its second weekend, it grossed another US$44 million – US$95.7 million in its full second week – falling behind newcomer '' Devil and Angel''. Of that US$6 million alone came from 259 IMAX screens for a 10-day cumulative of US$17.6 million becoming the second-highest grossing local language film for IMAX ever in China. The film went on to surpass ''
Monster Hunt ''Monster Hunt'' () is a 2015 mainland Chinese-Hong Kong 3D fantasy action comedy adventure film directed by Raman Hui (in his feature directorial debut). The film was released in China on 16 July 2015 in 3D and IMAX 3D. Upon release, it becam ...
'' () to become the highest-grossing Chinese-language IMAX film in China, with . It is only behind ''
Furious 7 ''Furious 7'' (also known as ''Fast & Furious 7'') is a 2015 action film directed by James Wan and written by Chris Morgan. It is the sequel to ''Fast & Furious 6'' (2013) and '' The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift'' (2006) and the seventh i ...
'' (US$39 million) when incorporating all kinds of films. In the United States and Canada, it opened with US$280,000 from 22 theaters.


Critical reception

While the performances of the cast, special effects and action sequences have been praised, the film overall has received largely mixed reviews from western critics. The
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website
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reported a 50% approval rating, based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 4.6/10. Daniel M. Gold of ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'' gave a negative review saying the film wastes some fine actors such as
Shu Qi Lin Li-hui (born 16 April 1976) ( zh, c=林立慧), better known by her stage name Shu Qi ( zh, c=舒淇), is a Hong Kong–Taiwanese actress and model. Widely regarded as one of the most successful Taiwanese actresses of all time, Shu has receive ...
"on predictable, one-dimensional characters, and once the tomb is entered, the underground sets become all but interchangeable. What starts eerie becomes strictly cartoonish." Likewise, the ''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
'' gave a negative review. Writing for
rogerebert.com ''RogerEbert.com'' is an American film review website that archives reviews written by film critic Roger Ebert for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' and also shares other critics' reviews and essays. The website, underwritten by the ''Chicago Sun-Times ...
, Mark Dujsik awarded the film one and a half stars out of four calling it, "equal parts shabby and discomforting." However, not all reviews were negative. David Noh of ''
Film Journal International ''Film Journal International'' was a motion-picture industry trade magazine published by the American company Prometheus Global Media. It was a sister publication of '' Adweek'', '' Billboard'', ''The Hollywood Reporter'', and other periodical ...
'' advised "Grab a big bag of popcorn and a soda and sink yourself into this rambling but skillfully done and surprisingly deep Chinese action romp." Frank Scheck of ''
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
''—while criticising the film for being overlong, convoluted and repetitive—praised the action sequences and special effects, deeming them superb, and lauded the performances of the leads. Chief Asia film critic Maggie Lee of ''
Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' agreed that the film provided "enough robust action and technical moxie to make audiences overlook its formulaic plotting and rote characterizations." Jake Wilson of ''
The Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, Australia, and owned by Nine Entertainment. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuous ...
'' gave the film three stars out of five, writing "the result can feel a bit disjointed: it takes a long time for things to get started, and there are too many distractions for the hints of social commentary and tragedy to register with much force." But he praised the cinematography, comparing it to that of
Peter Jackson Sir Peter Robert Jackson (born 31 October 1961) is a New Zealand filmmaker. He is best known as the director, writer, and producer of the ''Lord of the Rings'' trilogy (2001–2003) and the ''Hobbit'' trilogy (2012–2014), both of which ar ...
's work on ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy. The ''
Taipei Times The ''Taipei Times'' is an English-language print newspaper in Taiwan published by the Liberty Times Group. Founded as the third English-language newspaper on 15 June 1999, it is currently the last surviving English-language print newspaper i ...
'' said the movie "is lavish, packed with eye-dazzling action and fantastic plots, making it feel right at home among the '' Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'' films."


Accolades


Sequel

A sequel of the film, although without the original film's director, writer or cast, titled '' Mojin: The Worm Valley'', was released in 2018.


References


External links

* {{Wuershan Films based on Chinese novels 2015 action thriller films 2015 fantasy films Chinese fantasy adventure films Chinese action adventure films Films set in 1969 Films set in 1989 Films set in Inner Mongolia Films shot in Inner Mongolia Films set in New York City Films shot in New York City IMAX films Chinese 3D films 2015 3D films Huayi Brothers films Beijing Enlight Pictures films Films with screenplays by Zhang Jialu Ghost Blows Out the Light Films directed by Wuershan