Journey to the West

**Review of "Journey to the West" (1986)**

"Journey to the West" (1986) is a legendary Chinese television series that brings the classic novel by Wu Cheng'en to life with remarkable accuracy and charm. This series has left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers, transcending generations and becoming a cultural icon in China and beyond.

The show follows the epic journey of the monk Tang Sanzang and his three disciples-Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy)-as they travel westward in search of Buddhist scriptures. Along the way, they encounter numerous trials, demons, and temptations, all while showcasing themes of loyalty, perseverance, and the struggle between good and evil.

One of the most notable aspects of this series is its faithful adherence to the original text. The show's creators managed to capture the essence of the novel, retaining its humor, moral lessons, and mythological elements. The performances, particularly by Liu Xiao Ling Tong as Sun Wukong, are unforgettable. Liu's portrayal of the mischievous yet righteous Monkey King is widely regarded as one of the best in television history.

The special effects, while primitive by today's standards, were groundbreaking at the time and added a layer of magic to the show. The vivid costumes, elaborate set designs, and traditional Chinese music further immerse the audience in the world of ancient mythology.

What makes "Journey to the West" (1986) truly special is its ability to appeal to audiences of all ages. Children are captivated by the action and fantasy, while adults appreciate the deeper philosophical and cultural themes. It is a show that entertains while also offering profound insights into Chinese culture and spirituality.

In conclusion, "Journey to the West" (1986) is a timeless masterpiece that stands as one of the greatest adaptations of Chinese literature. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its quality, and it remains a must-watch for anyone interested in Chinese culture, mythology, or classic television.

Although the special effect of the 86 edition journey to the west is simple, it tells a good story. It avoids the horrible and dark things in the original work and focuses on the encounter and difficulties of the four masters and apprentices on the way. It can cut off the demons and remove the demons, and it is difficult to obtain the Scriptures after ninety-one. The plot is suitable for all ages. It's worth watching. Up to now, it's still the most reruns of TV series in winter and summer vacation. It's still a classic that can't be surpassed.

This is China's 1986 TV-series version of the Journey to the West, featuring the four characters of Monkey King, Pigsy, Sandy and Tripitaka. The four journeys to the West to fetch the scriptures of Buddha to bring back to China so that the land will learn of Buddha's teachings.

Along the journey, the three disciples protect Tripitaka from a host of elves, witches and demons. What results are special effects galore of magic and spells, which is OK for the 1980s, but is dated by today's standards.

The music score is magnificent, very catchy and harmonic. Just about each episode is full of fun adventures and action, and doses of humor mixed in as well.

With such a large cast of characters, from the heavenly deities to the human characters, it's the ultimate adaptation of the Monkey King story. Highly recommended.

Grade A

Even though this series is very old, but everyone in every age is watching this. It's tradition with family.

I like the pig very much, he is very funny and cute.

The 86 edition journey to the west is the crystallization of Chinese traditional culture, which moves generations with its simple artistic style. Many people think that classics can't be broken through, and remaking is just in vain, but I don't think so. The reason why classics become classics is that this play, based on the idea of art concept from the beginning, presents us a good play with limited capital and limited technology under such tough conditions. It's a matter of attitude. It took four years to shoot the 86 version of journey to the West. It's hard for today's crew to do it on the spot in most of China. 86 version brings us a simple artistic style, rather than a strong visual stimulation through computer design. Never before, I hope there will be someone coming.