The shadow of Xu Zhonglin's influential novel “The Investiture of the Gods” looms long over Chinese popular culture. As one of the most well-regarded vernacular epics since the 16th century, its heady blend of history and mythology has been a creatively enticing gauntlet for many filmmakers. Before now, the last big-budget stab at the material was 2016's 3D flop “League of Gods”, led by an all-star cast including Jet Li, Tony Leung Ka-Fai and Louis Koo, and still somehow won Worst Picture at that year's Golden Broom Awards. The crown now lies heavy on the head of filmmaker Wuershan, a director experienced in the fantasy genre (his “Painted Skin 2: The Resurrection” was at one time China's highest grossing movie domestically) but still holding the great responsibility of condensing 100 chapters of beloved high-concept magic and action into a movie…or three. Does the first chapter, “Kingdom of Storms”, capture...