Nezha 2 3D Movie Review

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Nezha 2 3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega

Nezha 2 movie poster

3D

The 3D presentation in NeZha 2 is well-executed, with strong separation between layers and a great sense of depth throughout the film. Scenes are beautifully composed to take full advantage of the format, with immersive environments and characters that naturally stand out from the background. A particularly nice touch is how the subtitles are positioned on a higher 3D plane, making them feel integrated rather than distracting. The film also makes excellent use of slow-motion sequences, which are visually stunning in 3D, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the detail and artistry of the animation. While pop-out effects are used sparingly—mostly toward the ending—they add excitement (arrows flying toward the screen) without feeling gimmicky.

That said, the 3D could have been stronger. While the depth and separation are impressive, the overall effect sometimes feels restrained, as if the filmmakers held back. A few more dynamic pop-out moments or deeper layering in certain action sequences could have made the experience even more immersive. Another factor was limited availability—I only had access to one theater chain with a handful of screenings, so it’s possible that other potential setups (IMAX 3D, Dolby Cinema, etc) offer a stronger experience. Perhaps my theater was showcasing the movie in an imperfect way (I don’t know 🤷🏽‍♂️ ). One small disappointment was that the credits and mid-credits scene were presented in 2D only, making the transition feel a bit jarring. I did miss the 3D when I watched those scenes. Overall, the 3D in NeZha 2 is great, but falls just short of perfection.

Final 3D Score: 8/10

Movie

NeZha 2 came out of nowhere for me—I hadn’t seen a trailer and didn’t even know it existed until recently. Nezha 2 might be difficult to find in the US, but it’s absolutely worth seeking out. I watched the film with English subtitles and in its original spoken language (Mandarin).

The film opens with a short but effective recap of the first movie, making it easy to jump back into the story. That being said, watching the predessor is highly recommended to fully appreciate this sequel. The story revolves around evil dragons threatening the town. NeZha needs to stop the dragons, but currently he isn’t strong enough , requiring him to train, meet new allies, and gain power to face the threat. Unfortunately, the first half feels slow and repetitive, weighed down by prolonged training sequences and character interactions that don’t always add much to the story. While the comedy works well (a little gross and immature) and the character dynamics are enjoyable, the pacing drags early on. Perhaps due to my lack of familiarity with the lore, I found myself a little confused by how magic works in this universe. However, everything changes dramatically around the halfway point when an unexpected event shifts the tone completely. From this moment on, the film becomes far more engaging, with emotional stakes that resonate. Even though I don’t fully understand all the cultural and magical elements (I am American, and I didn’t grow up with this story), the storytelling remains gripping, and the voice performances are masterful, conveying raw emotion and gravitas. The film leans into well-worn anime tropes, but it executes them so well that they feel earned rather than cliché. The biggest issue is the sheer number of characters, many of whom feel undeveloped or exist solely to be defeated by NeZha. This movie made me cry on two separate occasions, and in both instances, it was earned. Nezha 2 may appear like just a basic action movie, but it has heart and some truly great character movements.

Visually, NeZha 2 is on another level. The animation is breathtaking, with fluid, high-energy action and stunning visual choreography that looks truly cinematic. This movie is simply too epic to be fully appreciated at home—it needs to be experienced in the cinema on the big screen. The film’s use of color, lighting, and movement elevates the experience, making even the slower moments visually captivating. The art is rich and it looks so detailed and beautiful. The final act was jaw dropping in its visual scope. Nezha 2 is a visually gorgeous animated movie that will surely amaze you with its superb visuals and excellent animation.

In the end, NeZha 2 far exceeded my expectations and is easily the best movie of 2025 (so far). If you do see it, stick around for the mid-credits scene (no post credits scene). This mid credits scene is both important to the story, and is laugh-out-loud funny . Simply put Nezha 2 is a must watch.

Final Movie Score: 9/10


Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website:

https://cmc-pictures.com/nezha-2/

You can read our review of the original Nezha movie via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/reviews/Nezha-3D-Movie-Review

© 2025 CMC Pictures. All rights reserved. 

Captain America Brave New World 3D Movie Review

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Captain America Brave New World

3D Movie Review

Written by Adolph Vega

captain America brave new world 3d movie poster

3D

The 3D presentation of Captain America: New World Order is predominantly depth-based. This approach draws you into the storytelling. The film cleverly uses intimate settings and long corridors to enhance the 3D effect. These choices add a pronounced sense of space and perspective. For example, one scene features the President seated at the rear of a long table. Precise camera positioning makes you feel as if you’re right there in the room, enveloped by the layered depth of the shot. Although there are occasional pop-out effects (NOT NEARLY ENOUGH), the overall emphasis remains on depth. One impressive example of the 3D visuals is the aerial dogfight above the Indian Ocean, which is both tense and visually stunning. In contrast, some darkly lit scenes do not work as well for the 3D visuals. Overall, the 3D aspect of Captain America: New World Order offers an enjoyable visual experience, even if it leaves you wanting more.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

Movie

Captain America: New World Order marks a bold foray into political thriller territory, and Anthony Mackie shines as the titular hero. His strong presence and unwavering conviction lend the film an added layer of gravitas, making his portrayal of the new Captain America truly compelling. The chemistry between Sam Wilson and Joaquin Torres (the new Falcon) is fantastic, capturing a genuine sense of brotherhood that enriches the storyline. Harrison Ford’s performance as President Ross further bolsters the film by providing seasoned depth to the ensemble. However, the narrative is intermittently bogged down by heavy exposition dumps that feel like spoon-feeding the story, and the overt political and racial messaging. I don’t disagree with the film’s sentiment but it should have been more subtle. The film comes off as rather heavy-handed and that might turn off some people.

The film’s action choreography is phenomenal, delivering many exhilarating sequences that counterbalance the more subdued, toned-down approach to comedy (compared to typical Marvel fare). Even though the movie runs a bit long, I still really enjoyed it. Viewers of the Disney TV show Falcon and the Winter Soldier will be rewarded, while the movie remains accessible for newcomers. The compelling villain adds tension to the politically charged narrative, and nods to the aftermath of The Incredible Hulk and The Eternals help weave together the broader Marvel tapestry. I did find the story a little predictable and reliant on many well-known spy, political, and action movie tropes. It’s unfortunate that some audiences might dismiss the film due to a reluctance to engage with a new black Captain America. It is also unfortunate that some audiences (maybe the same as previously stated) won’t enjoy this movie because they don’t care for or understand geopolitics.

Overall, Captain America: New World Order is an enjoyable, if imperfect, blend of action and political intrigue that I can easily recommend it.

Final Movie Score: 7/10


Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Moana 2 3D Movie Review

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Moana 2

3D Movie Review

By Jacob Scarberry

Moana 2

3D

Like recent Disney animated films, the 3D in Moana 2 remains strong throughout, with depth being its standout feature. The layering effects are well-executed, delivering a proper sense of dimension in scenes featuring crowds, jungle landscapes, and the sea, creating an impressive sense of infinite depth. However, the film disappoints in the pop-out department. Despite the potential for stunning effects, there are very few moments where objects truly extend outwards toward the audience.

While there are occasional instances—such as a limb or water reaching out—the most memorable moment happens early in the film during a slow-motion lightning bolt sequence, which is genuinely breathtaking. Unfortunately, that’s the sole standout in this regard. Many scenes could have benefited from enhanced pop-out effects, like sand and water being flung about, Maui’s hook and Moana’s oar projecting toward the viewer, or darts zipping through the scene. These missed opportunities leave the audience with a sense of “what could have been” instead of “what should have been.” Moana 2 looks very good in 3D, but its overall presentation falls short of greatness.

3D Final Score: 7/10

Movie

It’s Thanksgiving week again, and you know what that means: another Disney animated film graces the big screen, providing families a convenient holiday distraction for their kids (and family overall). This year, Disney delivers Moana 2, a sequel to the modern animated favorite. Released eight years after the original, which saw solid box office success and astronomical Disney + viewership, this sequel is poised to be a major hit for the studio. After three consecutive Thanksgiving flops (Encanto, Strange World, and Wish), Disney desperately needs a win. Encanto later became a fan favorite streaming on Disney +. Unfortunately, Moana 2 comes in the form of a mediocre sequel to an otherwise solid original.

Set three years after the events of the first film, Montunui is thriving, and Moana is living her best life as a way finder. She’s about to be named the next Tautai, or chief navigator of her people. During the ceremony, she experiences a dark vision of her people’s future and learns from the spirit of a previous Tautai that she must discover new islands to prevent her tribe’s eventual extinction. Meanwhile, Maui is on a quest to defeat a malevolent god who draws strength from the ocean and isolates the islands of Oceania, threatening the survival of its tribes and cultures. Moana, joined by a motley crew of villagers, sets sail to save Oceania from this grim fate, encountering old friends, new allies, and plenty of forgettable songs along the way.

When the first Moana movie first debuted, I wasn’t eager to watch it. I dismissing it as “Frozen set in Polynesia.” I finally gave it a chance just days before writing this review and found it charming and beautifully animated, though not as groundbreaking as others claimed. It’s a typical Disney adventure: a young female protagonist, quirky animal companions, a charming male co-lead, and one standout song that gets played on repeat by kids everywhere. Moana 2, however, falls victim to sequelitis.

The plot is essentially a retread of the first: Moana embarks on an epic journey to confront a god (this time with a different elemental theme) to save her home. To fill the runtime, the story adds a colorful cast of side characters (who are mostly superfluous), including a grumpy elder, a tech-savvy geek, and a Maui superfan. Unfortunately, the villains are underdeveloped, and the resolution feels uninspired, flattening the emotional payoff. Humor is sparse, with only a few chuckles here and there, mostly from callbacks to the original film that lack wit or originality.

The music, composed by returning talents Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i, is decent, but the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrical genius is glaring. None of the songs have the catchy hooks or rhythm of the first film’s standout numbers.

Not everything is a letdown, though. The animation is stunning—vibrant, colorful, and featuring some of the best water physics ever seen in an animated film. It’s a triumph of CGI technology, and the artists who brought this world to life deserve immense praise. The voice cast also delivers excellent performances, with returning stars Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, and Alan Tudyk joined by talented newcomers.

At the end of the day, Moana 2 will keep families entertained this Thanksgiving. Its brisk 100-minute runtime (closer to 85 minutes without credits) is perfect for holding kids’ attention. However, it’s essentially visual junk food—enjoyable in the moment but not particularly satisfying or memorable afterward. Ironically, this movie began as a planned Disney+ series that was reworked into a feature-length film after Moana became the platform’s most-watched title. It’s better than Disney’s direct-to-video sequels of the early 2000s, but only marginally. Like those films, Moana 2 is forgettable, and proof that not all sequels are necessary or justified.

Final Movie Score: 6/10


Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

You can read our review of the first Moana by clicking the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/reviews/moana

Official Website:

https://movies.disney.com/moana-2

© 2024 Disney and its related entities