![]() ![]() It gives the entire production a weightless, artificial feel one that does not feel internally consistent. CGI is everywhere in The Monkey King, from animal characters to backgrounds and all magical phenomena, lightning strikes and sparks in between. To an overwhelming degree The Monkey King is also a victim of the same curse that seems to afflict every 21st century Chinese fantasy film: an over-reliance on computer-generated visual effects. There is precious little with which to grapple to give the film a proper dramatic context. Characters talk in lifespans of centuries, and present magical powers that appear – at least within the context of the film – to be limitless. This causes an engagement problem, because the film is ultimately so outlandish and abstract that it is difficult to care that much about what happens to its characters. Instead this is a film focused upon gods, demons and animal spirits, with nary a human being to be seen. ![]() For Australian viewers Journey to the West seems best known via the 1978 Japanese television series Saiyuki, which was dubbed into English by the BBC as Monkey. Anybody looking forward to appearances by Tripitaka, Sandy and Pigsy, however, will be disappointed: this film relates the early life and exploits of the Monkey King before he is forced to accompany a Buddhist priest on a pilgrimage to India. Like many popular Chinese films it dives into Wu Cheng’en’s 16th century novel Journey to the West for inspiration, and takes an early section of that book for its over-arching plot. A sequel followed in 2016, with a third instalment currently in production for 2018. Produced at enormous expense with an all-star Chinese cast, The Monkey King was a monumental commercial hit upon release. ![]() After growing up to become the powerful but mischievous Monkey King (Donnie Yen), he finds himself manipulated by the vengeful Bull Demon King (Aaron Kwok) to challenge heaven and the authority of the benevolent Jade Emperor (Chow Yun-Fat). This first installment in a trilogy of live action 3-D movies is actually a prequel to The Journey To The West, the much told story of the Monkey King's adventures on the road to India.After a failed demonic attack on Heaven, the rebuilding process inadvertently creates a supernaturally powerful monkey. This much beloved story, is as much a part of Asian culture as The Iliad and The Odyssey or The Wizard of Oz are to the West. ![]() Thus, according to legend, Buddhism is brought to ancient China. After rebelling against heaven and being imprisoned under a mountain for 500 years, he later accompanies the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India. Sun Wukong, (The Monkey King) is a monkey born from a heavenly stone who acquires supernatural powers. ![]()
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