Review: ‘Painted Skin’ sequel a jumbled mess

A smash hit on its recent release in China, “Painted Skin: The Resurrection” offers an over-the-top mix of fantasy, adventure and romance that plays as a fussy, convoluted mess.

In an ancient world in which spirit demons roam the earth, the spirit Xiaowei (Xun Zhou), searching for a chance to become more human, finds herself matching wits with Princess Jing (Wei Zhao), who is on the run from threats against her, as the two both seek love on their own terms for their own ends.

The film, a sequel to 2008’s “Painted Skin,” is directed by Wuershan, who also made the recent “The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman.” His rich, cluttered visual style makes him something of a Chinese parallel to the “Mirror Mirror” director Tarsem — visual splendor and a certain wow-factor trump storytelling, logic and pacing at every turn.

Even when there is a truly arresting image that merges storytelling and visual panache, such as a man on fire continuing to fight or a glowing demon climbing into a suit of human form, it winds up lost in the jumble.

—Mark Olsen

“Painted Skin: The Resurrection” No MPAA rating; in Mandarin with English and Chinese subtitles. Running time: 2 hours, 11 minutes. At the AMC Atlantic Times Square 14, Monterey Park; AMC Puente Hills 20, Rowland Heights.