Sea Monster 2: Black Forest (2021)

If I was rating just the female lead, I would give it a 10. Smart, calm and collected, caring, just and driven. Can I even ask for more?

This would actually be a really good investigative thriller if it was not for the Sea Monster from the title. There was an interesting mystery, crime, murder, kidnapping, corruption and conspiracy… And there was also awful CGI and over the top monster make up.

Still, even with that ridiculous twist and awfully animated monster jumping around, it was truly an enjoyable watch. I am probably biased, because I loved the female lead so much, but the movie does focus on her alone, so it’s fair to add some points thanks to that character.

Both acting and production quality was nice. Even though Du Qing Ling was a calm character, it did not mean she was emotionless (which often is an issue, as some writers associate being calm with having no reaction to anything). Except for the CGI monkey monster, the movie was also aesthetically pleasing. The surrounding of the forest and the village were rather dim, but the film never truly felt dark.

Overall, short and interesting with great female lead.

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Misleading Billing, Still a Strong Watch

This is a good watch—but if you're drawn to it because of Han Dong, be aware that he’s not listed accurately. Although he's shown as part of the main cast, he only has a guest role. He was the main reason I started watching, but I’m not disappointed, as the storyline turned out to be genuinely engaging.

The narrative includes elements of mystery and thriller, continuing from a plot line introduced in the first installment. That said, you don’t need to have seen the original movie to understand or enjoy this one. The story centers on a strong lead who seeks answers and ultimately comes to terms with her past. Both the conflict and the resolution are tragic and poignant, and the conclusion was satisfying.

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