Journey to the West: Demon Chapter

Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back is a sequel to 2013's Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, which I really liked. It is directed by Hong Kong veteran, Tsui Hark and written by Stephen Chow, who did not return to direct this one. The movie stars an all-new cast playing characters from the first movie, with the only person returning being Shu Qi. The first movie I thought was a really good Stephen Chow movie without Stephen Chow, and what really worked for me were the characters and their likability and humor. I really liked Wen Zhang and Shu Qi's chemistry with each other, and it made me root for their forbidden love to come to fruition. This movie loses Wen Zhang, being replaced by Kris Wu, and Shu Qi is delegated to a cameo appearance, and man are they big losses, because the actors in this movie did not hold up well at all. Neither did the script though, as frankly I felt this movie is just a mess. Drastic character changes out of the blue, inconsistencies and conveniences to push the plot forward litters throughout.

Unlike the first film where it was more of a prelude to the classical story, Demons Strike Back actually plays out the episodic narrative from the classical novel, with memorable arcs such as the spider demons and white skeleton being rendered in Stephen Chow slapstick style. We actually get to see Tang Monk along with the three disciples he conquered during the first movie journeying to the west this time around. While the plot moves along episodically, the main focus here is the tension between Tang and the Monkey King, as the former still blames the latter for Shu Qi's character's death. This relationship between master and disciple is so poorly written I spent the entire time not really caring for either character, since they themselves do not seem to care judging by the terrible things they do to one another. Tang is having visions of Shu Qi from the first movie, and blames the Monkey King for her death. I am very disappointed to see this is route they went with for the sequel, after all Shu Qi tempted Tang the entire first movie, but he did not once gave in once to her. Now that he is enlightened and is journeying west, all of a sudden he is lusting for her? That just seems very inconsistent. But I guess consistency is the last thing you should expect in these types of movies.

Even though Stephen Chow did not return to direct the movie, his style of humor is still emulated here. However, being a Chow fan since I was a kid, I was sorely disappointed with how unfunny this movie was. Not that they did not try, but the actors just do not have the comedic chops to pull off this type of humor. At times, things got really dumb and silly with a mind control dancing scene which is recycled from the first movie, and a crying grown man trying to pass as funny. Another thing that was off putting was the characterization of Piggy, who was always a pervert, but never the serial rapist as he was in this one. He literally attempts to rape every girl he encounters and it is played for laughs. As someone who has watched enough interpretations of Journey to the West, this was simply not funny and kind of ruined things for me. I did chuckle a few times throughout, and there are a few good gags such as when Sandy got turn back into a giant fish, but overall this was not the clever Stephen Chow film I am accustomed to.

The action in the film was good, but it is typical C-grade special effects-laden Chinese film affair. There was never a moment where I felt danger for any of the characters because the build-up to these action scenes tends to be humorous and lacking of tension. The main highlight for me is definitely the spider demons scene, it is by the far the most exciting action set piece in the movie. The CGI is pretty average, but at least the Chinese and Hong Kong film industries are improving in this department since the disastrous eye sore that was the Donnie Yen Monkey King movie.

Kris Wu, former K-pop star musters all of his charms and good looks and gives out a fine performance as Tang. Lin Gengxin, the Monkey King was intense and likable. The rest of the cast did the best they could, but as I mentioned before, they were simply not funny enough in my opinion. The best thing about the movie was the definitely the collection of attractive Chinese ladies assembled here. Yao Chen, Wang Likun and Lin Yun are all beautiful and charming. I love my female eye candy, and whenever these actresses were on screen, my eyes were glued.

Overall the movie is very pedestrian, but passable popcorn affair. Not horrible by any means, definitely watchable for some colorful action scenes. However, too many misses on jokes and poor plot and character developments cannot save the movie from mediocrity. Even those who love everything Journey to the West or the Monkey King should only check it out if it was free and you have a couple of hours to spare.

Coincidentally, I just watched L.O.R.D which has many same lead casts with this movie. And I have to say, this movie is as bad as that one. I almost can't believe it is directed by the experienced Tsui Hark.

Almost everything in this sequel is boring and uninteresting, except the songs. The movie is so boring, yet still not suitable for kids due to some scenes. If you have not watched this, better skip this than to waste your time.

No story, no character development, ugly battles and a bad taste CGI festival. The first episode was definitely not the best Chow but this sequel is just a waste of ime and money.

Journey To The West bored me, the same way that Monkey King 2 bored me. I'm starting to think that maybe the monkey king is not my thing (Although, DragonBall has to be some sort of adaption to the character do to a big likeness between the two (Same way Marvel's Thor is similar but does not full mimic the Norse mythology).

Maybe unlike anime, I can't watch these movies with subtitles . As an American use to Hollywood Blockbusters when I see an actor alone on a screen interacting with characters that were made in a computer, I'm expecting a lot more action adventure to my Fantasy, but all I got here was talk. This may have not been that bad but I feel that the comedy did not translate well with subtitles. Having to read and look at the visuals did not work this time.

Plus the anime style cartoonery did not translate well to live action. Some of the visual gags timing was fine, but it really did not click. I appreciate the attempt but I just thought it was stupid in the long run.

Like with Monkey King 2, my favorite part of this film was the lone epic action scene at the end of the movie that was big and the reason that anyone would buy a ticket to see it in 3D. Although it's not worth the ticket cause that one scene does not make this movie. I've seen films that one part can make the whole movie but The Demons Strike Back is not complex enough for that. It starts slow continues slow and then ends epic but that greatness does not make up for all the slowness.

The visual effects are OK but not good enough for a picture to bore me with them. Very standard an unimpressive (Except for the 3D spectacular that ends the film).

Maybe my knowledge (Or lack of) the Monkey King is steering my judgement, maybe I'm expecting too much from a Chinese Blockbuster (My favorite part was at the end credits when the filmmakers did a bit that confirms that this movie is the Chinese version of the Blockbuster), but this latest adaption of Journey To The West is not doing it for me at all. Maybe I need to see if they do an English dub that might translate better, and change my mine.

http://cinemagardens.com/

Wish there was another chapter of 'Journey to the west' with Miss Duan reincarnation.

Quiet enjoyed the other chapters of 'Journey to the West', but i wish the love story take a next step.

I really don't have any idea if the myth contains Miss Duan reincarnation, but i just wish that the love story of the Monk and Miss Duan continues with her reincarnation and not with the Monk carrying the memories of the past.

Actress Shu qi has played her role so well that whenever i think of the Monk's love all i that comes to my mind is Shu qi. I would really like to see her if there is any new chapter.