A Shallow Storyline with Excessive Dragging

I have watched Ma Boyong twice, first in Luoyang and then in Chang'an.
I've never quite understood why his movies receive such high ratings. For me, the storyline feels shallow and drawn out, lacking in interest. The plot is overly complicated yet predictable, with too much unnecessary dialogue and drama. Perhaps Ma Boyong would do better to focus on shorter stories that are more engaging, rather than investing time and resources in lengthy endeavors.