Inside the cinema.
Cao Weiming's notebook was already filled with dense notes, categorized into several sections.
He gave the special effects a perfect score.
"The special effects are on par with American blockbusters, even exceeding them in the incredible realism of detailed depiction. The scenes achieve very reasonable physical feedback in their destruction, and the integration of actors and effects is five-star."
In this era, special effects had already reached a high standard; even those referred to as 'five-mao effects' (low-budget Chinese special effects) were far superior to those in early classics.
But if special effects were more refined and realistic than in earlier films, why were people still praising the early special effects of Chinese films?
It was because no matter how realistic the special effects were, if they didn't integrate well with the actors, they would look very jarring.
Much like early fight scenes, where actors executed moves and effects were used as an assist, making the action look thrilling.
The fight scenes of current popular idols are often lackluster; they simply strike poses and stand there, with effects creating various magical spells. When filming fight scenes, they just pose and exchange energy blasts, with nothing visually engaging.
Special effects should serve acting; they cannot improve an actor who has no acting skills.
Furthermore, the power of combat and the destruction of the environment are directly proportional. In past films, most were shot on location with explosive scenes. Despite less impressive special effects, the sense of destruction was still exhilarating.
Many current trending dramas feature incredibly dazzling special effects, yet after prolonged fighting, not even a chair is broken. This feedback, in the eyes of the audience, is like a cannonball hitting cotton – deeply unsatisfying.
However, this film, "The Wandering Earth," excelled in both acting and the feedback of destructive force, clearly indicating a significant investment.
Beyond special effects and acting.
Cao Weiming also recorded many other merits.
The plot, pacing, and the style of multi-threaded narrative were all commendable aspects of this film.
However, he paused in hesitation when he saw one of his recorded notes.
"Full of laughs, with a comedic style."
Should he cross it out?
Currently, the film was indeed full of laughs and could even be described as a light comedy. But the further he watched, the more he realized that things were not so simple.
Yet, as his pen hovered over the note, he hesitated again.
From the current perspective, it still had considerable comedic effect.
"It seems... a second viewing is needed for a more detailed assessment."
The pacing of this film was incredibly fast.
So fast that he hadn't recorded many of the subtle details.
Cao Weiming had originally planned to watch the American film "Planet Disaster" after this screening, but now he was hesitant. He wanted to rewatch this film and understand all its plot threads. Based on his years of experience as a film critic, this film had a vast network of subtle foreshadowing, with many seemingly insignificant shots that would manifest later in the plot.
Therefore, to provide a better review of this film, he decided to watch "The Wandering Earth" again for his next screening.
...
[Four hours remaining until the internet is restored!]
The familiar countdown appeared on the screen again.
Tu Hengyu and his mentor, Ma Zhao, infiltrated the underwater ruins.
This was a drowned city.
Buildings and shops lay submerged beneath the water.
Just then, an advertisement caught Tu Hengyu's eye.
A house originally priced at 220,000 yuan per square meter was now only 350 yuan per square meter.
"Finally, it's cheap."
Tu Hengyu even made a sarcastic remark.
This deeply immersive satirical moment caused the cinema audience to erupt in laughter.
"Hahaha, it's truly a sci-fi film, houses for only a few hundred yuan per square meter."
"Tsk, tsk, sea-view properties are only a few hundred yuan per square meter, truly cheap..."
"This shot, I'll call it the most sci-fi part of the entire film!"
"Hilarious, it's indeed very cheap, but even reduced to a few hundred yuan per square meter, I still can't afford it..."
"Damn, I can't afford it either, that hits close to home, bro!"
With this buffer.
The heavy atmosphere had significantly lightened.
Because this film employed a dual-narrative structure, with Liu Peiqiang and Tu Hengyu's stories progressing simultaneously.
Tu Hengyu arrived at the central control area of the server.
Liu Peiqiang, after enduring hardships, finally delivered the nuclear bomb to the moon. However, due to an accident with the transport ship, he lost contact with the ground. Zhang Peng's performance here was exceptionally good, conveying his anxiety to the extreme.
Although he survived the ordeal, Liu Peiqiang had no intention of returning.
He sent his two teammates to the escape pod and went alone to deploy the nuclear bomb.
"The moment Han Duoduo died, Liu Peiqiang had nothing left to hold onto, didn't he?"
"That's right. His son and father-in-law are in the underground city, and his wife is dead. He's been in a state of not wanting to live."
"Losing his parents in his youth and his wife in middle age, Liu Peiqiang is a genius in his career, but his life is tragic."
"This is the character's charm. A good screenwriter can amplify a character's internal conflicts to the extreme, moving the audience!"
Liu Peiqiang's character has many internal conflicts and points that can be explored.
They require careful consideration.
However, within the limited time of a single film, even the surface-level aspects are enough to make this character very three-dimensional.
Of course, it's not just Liu Peiqiang.
Every character in this film is incredibly realistic, with their own inner conflicts.
Meanwhile, for Tu Hengyu, a meteorite fell.
Ma Zhao's foot was caught by cables, and seawater rushed in, flooding Ma Zhao's body. Tu Hengyu tried his best to push open the door to save him but was powerless.
In despair, Ma Zhao handed the key to Tu Hengyu.
"Remember, civilization without humans is meaningless!"
The seawater surged over Ma Zhao's head.
Tu Hengyu watched helplessly as Ma Zhao, both his mentor and friend, was submerged by the water, his eyes filled with despair.
Underwater, Ma Zhao didn't panic; instead, he smiled and waved at Tu Hengyu.
This single shot.
The despair and the meaning of life.
Caused the audience in the cinema to tear up instantly!
"Damn, this blow struck right to the heart!"
"Just the usual move from the old fox Jiangnan."
"Heh, is that all?"
"As a long-time fan of Jiangnan, I'm already immune to such things. This kind of plot is a piece of cake."
"I can still handle it, but it's already the limit. Han Duoduo's death, and now Ma Zhao's death, who's next?"
Meteorites continued to bombard the Blue Star.
Scenes of various disasters.
Despair permeated everywhere!
The deployment of the nuclear bombs was completed, but because each country used the most sophisticated encryption to protect its nuclear arsenal, deciphering them would take an extremely long time.
"Humanity... uses its most sophisticated security systems for mutual destruction."
Zhou Zhezhi's line, filled with helplessness and despair, sent chills down the spines of countless viewers.
This glimpse into human nature was vividly displayed at this moment.
"Sir, there is a backup plan."