Monkey King: Hero Is Back - A Review of the Chinese Animated Film
Monkey King: Hero Is Back is a 2015 Chinese computer-animated film that tells a new story based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The film follows the adventures of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who is freed from his imprisonment by a young boy named Liuer, and joins him and a pig demon named Pigsy in a quest to save a village from an evil Mountain Lord. The film was a huge success in China, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in the country until it was surpassed by Zootopia and Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016. But is it worth watching for fans of animation and Chinese mythology? Here are some reasons why you might want to give it a try.
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Introduction
What is the film about?
The film is set in a fantasy world where humans and demons coexist, but not always peacefully. The Monkey King, Sun Wukong, is a powerful and rebellious warrior who challenges the authority of the gods and causes havoc in heaven. As a punishment, he is sealed by the Buddha in an ice cage deep within the mountains for 500 years. Meanwhile, a group of mountain trolls led by a vicious Mountain Lord terrorize a nearby village and kidnap its children. One of the survivors is Liuer, a young boy who idolizes the Monkey King and dreams of becoming his disciple. He accidentally releases Sun Wukong from his curse when he stumbles into his cave while fleeing from the trolls. Together, they embark on a journey to rescue the children and stop the Mountain Lord's evil plans.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters of the film are:
Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is a legendary figure in Chinese mythology who possesses incredible strength, speed, agility, and magic. He is arrogant, mischievous, and defiant, but also loyal, courageous, and compassionate. He wields a magical staff that can change its size and shape at his will. He can also transform into various animals and objects, fly on clouds, and create clones of himself. However, he has lost most of his powers due to the Buddha's seal that remains on his chest.
Liuer is a brave and kind-hearted boy who lives in a village near the mountains. He loves reading stories about the Monkey King and wants to learn kung fu from him. He is orphaned when his parents are killed by mountain trolls. He adopts a baby girl named Xiaolan as his sister after saving her from the same fate. He has a strong sense of justice and compassion, and is willing to risk his life to help others.
Pigsy is a former war god who was defeated by Sun Wukong 500 years ago and reincarnated as a pig demon. He runs an inn with his wife Sandy, who is also a demon. He is greedy, lazy, and cowardly, but also humorous, friendly, and helpful. He joins Sun Wukong and Liuer on their quest after being persuaded by Sandy. He fights with a rake that can extend its handle.
What are the main themes and messages?
The film explores several themes and messages that are relevant to both ancient and modern audiences, such as:
The importance of friendship and teamwork. Sun Wukong learns to trust and care for his new friends, Liuer and Pigsy, and realizes that he cannot defeat the Mountain Lord alone. He also reconciles with his old enemy, the Jade Emperor, who comes to his aid in the final battle. Liuer and Pigsy also overcome their fears and doubts and support Sun Wukong with their skills and courage.
The value of humility and repentance. Sun Wukong is initially arrogant and proud of his past achievements, but he gradually learns to humble himself and admit his mistakes. He apologizes to the Buddha for his previous offenses and asks for his forgiveness. He also shows remorse for hurting Liuer when he loses control of his anger. He accepts the consequences of his actions and sacrifices himself to save Liuer and the other children.
The power of faith and hope. Liuer is a symbol of faith and hope in the film. He never gives up on his dream of becoming Sun Wukong's disciple, even when he is mocked and bullied by others. He believes in Sun Wukong's goodness and potential, even when he is disappointed and betrayed by him. He inspires Sun Wukong to regain his confidence and motivation, and to fight for a noble cause. He also prays to the Buddha for Sun Wukong's resurrection, which is granted by a miracle.
Plot Summary
How does the film start?
The film starts with a flashback of Sun Wukong's rebellion in heaven 500 years ago. He fights against the Jade Emperor's army and defeats many gods, including Pigsy, who was then a war god. He challenges the Buddha, who traps him in an ice cage under a mountain. The Buddha tells him that he will only be freed when someone who truly believes in him touches his cage.
How does the Monkey King meet Liuer and Pigsy?
In the present day, Liuer is a young boy who lives in a village near the mountains. He loves reading stories about the Monkey King and wants to learn kung fu from him. He is orphaned when his parents are killed by mountain trolls. He adopts a baby girl named Xiaolan as his sister after saving her from the same fate. One day, he goes to the mountains to collect herbs for his sick grandfather. He encounters a group of mountain trolls who chase him into a cave. There, he finds Sun Wukong's ice cage and touches it, breaking the seal and releasing him.
Sun Wukong is confused and angry when he wakes up. He does not remember who he is or what he has done. He sees Liuer as an annoyance and tries to get rid of him. However, Liuer follows him persistently, hoping to become his disciple. Along the way, they meet Pigsy, who runs an inn with his wife Sandy, who is also a demon. Pigsy recognizes Sun Wukong as his old rival and tries to fight him, but Sun Wukong easily defeats him. Sandy convinces Pigsy to let them stay at their inn for the night.
How do they fight against the Mountain Lord and his army?
The next day, Sun Wukong decides to leave Liuer behind and go back to heaven. However, he discovers that his powers are greatly weakened by the Buddha's seal that remains on his chest. He also learns that the mountain trolls have kidnapped all the children from Liuer's village, including Xiaolan, and taken them to their lair under the Mountain Lord's command. The Mountain Lord is a giant bull demon who plans to use the children's souls to revive an ancient evil beast called the White Bone Demon.
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Sun Wukong feels guilty for abandoning Liuer and decides to help him rescue the children. He returns to the inn and asks Pigsy to join them as well. Pigsy agrees after Sandy persuades him that it is a good deed. The three of them head to the mountain troll's lair, where they encounter many dangers and enemies along the way. They manage to reach the Mountain Lord's palace, where they find Xiaolan and the other children locked in cages.
Sun Wukong frees them and fights against the Mountain Lord, who proves to be a formidable opponent. The Mountain Lord reveals that he was once a human king who was corrupted by the White Bone Demon's influence. He also says that he knows Sun Wukong's true identity and history, and taunts him for being a traitor and a coward. Sun Wukong becomes enraged and unleashes his full power, breaking the Buddha's seal on his chest.
How does the film end?
Sun Wukong defeats the Mountain Lord with a powerful blow that causes a huge explosion. However, he also accidentally injures Liuer who was trying to protect him. He realizes that he has made a terrible mistake and apologizes to Liuer. He then sacrifices himself to destroy the White Bone Demon, who emerges from the Mountain Lord's body. He tells Liuer to take care of Xiaolan and the other children, and to remember him as his master. He then explodes in a bright light, leaving behind his staff and his hairband.
Liuer is devastated by Sun Wukong's death and cries over his remains. He prays to the Buddha to bring him back to life, saying that he is willing to give up anything for him. The Buddha hears his prayer and grants him a miracle. He restores Sun Wukong's life and removes the seal from his chest, restoring his full powers. He also gives him a new staff and a new hairband, saying that he has forgiven him for his past sins and that he is proud of him for his heroic deeds.
Sun Wukong wakes up and hugs Liuer, thanking him for saving him. He also thanks Pigsy and Sandy for their help. He then flies to heaven with Liuer, Xiaolan, and the other children, where he is welcomed by the Jade Emperor and the other gods. He introduces Liuer as his disciple and Xiaolan as his daughter. He also reconciles with Pigsy, who becomes his friend. He promises to visit them often and to teach them more kung fu. He then flies away with Liuer and Xiaolan on his cloud, smiling happily.
Analysis and Evaluation
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the film?
The film has many strengths and weaknesses that can be appreciated or criticized by different viewers. Some of the strengths are:
The animation quality is impressive, especially for a Chinese production. The characters are well-designed and expressive, the backgrounds are detailed and colorful, and the action scenes are dynamic and exciting. The film uses a mix of 3D and 2D animation techniques, creating a unique visual style that blends realism and fantasy.
The voice acting is superb, especially for the main characters. The actors deliver their lines with emotion and personality, bringing their characters to life. The film features some famous Chinese actors, such as Jackie Chan as Sun Wukong, Zhang Lei as Liuer, Lin Zijie as Xiaolan, and Wu Jing as Pigsy.
The music is catchy and memorable, composed by renowned Chinese musician Zhao Jiping. The film features several songs that enhance the mood and atmosphere of the scenes, such as "Hero Is Back", "Monkey King", "The Journey", and "The Miracle". The songs are performed by popular Chinese singers, such as Han Lei, Tan Weiwei, Zhang Jie, and Zhou Bichang.
Some of the weaknesses are:
The plot is simple and predictable, following a typical hero's journey structure. The film does not offer many surprises or twists, and some of the events are clichéd or convenient. The film also relies on some deus ex machina devices, such as the Buddha's intervention and Sun Wukong's resurrection.
The characters are not very complex or developed, especially the villains. The Mountain Lord is a generic evil tyrant who wants to revive an ancient evil for no clear reason. The White Bone Demon is a mysterious entity that has no personality or backstory. The mountain trolls are mindless minions who pose little threat to the heroes.
The humor is sometimes childish or crude, appealing more to younger audiences than older ones. The film features some jokes that involve bodily functions, such as farting, burping, or peeing. The film also makes fun of some of the characters' physical appearance or behavior, such as Pigsy's obesity or Sun Wukong's arrogance.
How does the film compare to other adaptations of Journey to the West?
The film is one of many adaptations of Journey to the West, a 16th-century Chinese novel that recounts the legendary pilgrimage of a Buddhist monk named Xuanzang (also known as Tripitaka) and his four disciples: Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy), and Yulong (the White Dragon Horse). The novel is considered one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, and has inspired countless works of art, literature, theater, film, television, animation, comics, games, and more.
The film differs from most adaptations in several ways:
The film is not a faithful adaptation of the novel, but a new story that uses some of its elements and characters. The film does not feature Xuanzang or Yulong at all, nor does it follow their journey to the west to obtain the Buddhist scriptures. The film focuses on Sun Wukong's backstory and his relationship with Liuer, a new character who is not in the novel. The film also changes some of the details and personalities of the characters, such as Pigsy's origin and Sandy's gender.
The film is more modern and accessible than the novel, which is written in classical Chinese and contains many historical, cultural, and religious references that may be unfamiliar or confusing to contemporary or foreign audiences. The film uses simple and colloquial language, and incorporates some pop culture elements, such as kung fu movies, video games, and rock music. The film also simplifies some of the moral and philosophical issues that the novel explores, such as the nature of good and evil, the meaning of life, and the role of fate.
The film is more humorous and lighthearted than the novel, which is often dark and serious. The film emphasizes the comedy and adventure aspects of the story, rather than the drama and tragedy. The film also tones down some of the violence and horror that the novel depicts, such as the gruesome deaths of some characters, the graphic descriptions of some demons, and the cruel punishments of some gods. The film aims to entertain and inspire children and families, rather than to educate and enlighten adults.
How does the film reflect Chinese culture and values?
The film reflects Chinese culture and values in several ways:
The film draws from Chinese mythology and folklore, especially Journey to the West, which is one of the most influential and beloved works of Chinese literature. The film pays homage to some of the iconic scenes and characters from the novel, such as Sun Wukong's birth from a stone, his fight with the Jade Emperor, his imprisonment by the Buddha, his meeting with Liuer, his battle with the Mountain Lord, and his ascension to heaven. The film also references some other myths and legends, such as the Four Symbols (the Azure Dragon, the Vermilion Bird, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise), the Eight Immortals, and the Nüwa Mending the Sky.
The film showcases Chinese art and aesthetics, especially traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. The film uses a rich and vibrant color palette that reflects the four seasons: spring (green), summer (red), autumn (yellow), and winter (blue). The film also uses a lot of curves and swirls to create a sense of movement and energy. The film features some beautiful landscapes that resemble Chinese ink wash paintings, such as mountains, rivers, forests, clouds, and waterfalls. The film also incorporates some Chinese characters and symbols into its design, such as Sun Wukong's name on his hairband, Liuer's name on his pendant, and Pigsy's name on his rake.
The film expresses Chinese values and morals, especially filial piety, loyalty, courage, humility, repentance, and faith. The film portrays Liuer as a model of filial piety, who respects and cares for his elders, such as his grandfather and Sun Wukong. The film also depicts Sun Wukong, Liuer, and Pigsy as examples of loyalty, who stick together and help each other in times of need. The film also demonstrates courage, as the heroes face their fears and overcome their challenges. The film also illustrates humility and repentance, as Sun Wukong admits his faults and seeks forgiveness from the Buddha and Liuer. The film also conveys faith, as Liuer trusts in Sun Wukong and the Buddha, and prays for a miracle.
Conclusion
What is the main takeaway from the film?
The main takeaway from the film is that anyone can be a hero, regardless of their background, status, or abilities. The film shows that Sun Wukong, who was once a rebel and a troublemaker, can become a hero and a leader, who saves the world and earns the respect of the gods. The film also shows that Liuer, who was once a weak and helpless boy, can become a hero and a disciple, who saves Sun Wukong and learns from him. The film also shows that Pigsy, who was once a war god and a rival, can become a hero and a friend, who supports Sun Wukong and learns from him. The film teaches that being a hero is not about having power or fame, but about having courage, compassion, and faith.
Who would enjoy watching the film?
The film would appeal to a wide range of audiences, especially those who are interested in animation, Chinese mythology, or adventure stories. The film would be suitable for children and families, as it is fun, entertaining, and inspiring. The film would also be enjoyable for adults, as it is informative, creative, and meaningful. The film would also be attractive for fans of Journey to the West, as it is a new and original interpretation of the classic novel. The film would also be accessible for international viewers, as it is dubbed or subtitled in various languages.
FAQs
Q: When was the film released? A: The film was released on July 10, 2015 in China, and on October 14, 2016 in the United States.
Q: How much did the film cost to make? A: The film had a budget of about $16 million USD, which is relatively low for an animated feature.
Q: How much did the film earn at the box office? A: The film grossed over $153 million USD worldwide, making it one of the most successful Chinese animated films of all time.
Q: Is there a sequel to the film? A: Yes, there is a sequel called Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven's Palace, which was released on January 25, 2019 in China. It follows Sun Wukong's adventures before he was imprisoned by the Buddha.
Q: Where can I watch the film? A: You can watch the film on various streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, or iTunes.
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