The first 14 minutes of this movie are alright. Mid to bad CGI but nice action scenes inspired by Chinese mythology, plus a "bullied kid" protagonist who's interaction with said bully is rather refreshing innovative.
After grandma passes away, though, the movie takes a turn to the legitimately mediocre, being one of dime a dozen mentor/apprentice stories (as if the title didn't give that way, I suppose).
The saving grace is the animation, which in some scenes gets experimental and actually uses painting-like 2D effects, and the various allusions to Chinese mythology, which are well researched and innovative in a urban fantasy kind of way.
After grandma passes away, though, the movie takes a turn to the legitimately mediocre, being one of dime a dozen mentor/apprentice stories (as if the title didn't give that way, I suppose).
The saving grace is the animation, which in some scenes gets experimental and actually uses painting-like 2D effects, and the various allusions to Chinese mythology, which are well researched and innovative in a urban fantasy kind of way.