Another film adaptation of a George R.R. Martin story, In the Lost Lands, has fallen flat. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the filmmaker behind Resident Evil, and starring Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, the film garnered a mere 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 24 critic reviews.
Critics highlight its lackluster execution and failure to deliver on its fantasy epic promises. Brian Orndorf from Blu-ray.com describes it as an "ultra-processed dud," pointing out that it doesn’t resonate as a fantasy adventure and instead resembles a 1996 CD-ROM game. Russ Simmons admits that while the film features some impressive action, the dialogue is laughable, and the cinematography feels as dull as the plot, ultimately calling the film "a lost cause."
Peter Sobczynski from the Chicago Film Critics Association notes that even the charismatic leads, Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, are unable to salvage the material, trapped by poor writing and direction. Jonathan Sim from ComingSoon.net comments that the film's 1990s or early-2000s feel isn’t a compliment, but rather a comparison to bargain-bin, direct-to-DVD titles.
On a more positive note, Steven Nguyen Scaife from Slant Magazine suggests that the film offers Anderson a "sturdy canvas" to showcase his distinct style, mixing gaudy and campy aesthetics. Neil Bahadur of The Film Stage finds moments of beauty in the film, praising its "sensuous imagery" and describing the action scenes as "poetry in a hopeless world."
Despite some visual appeal, In the Lost Lands struggles to overcome its shortcomings, leaving critics unimpressed with its overall execution.
