Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back

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.

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.

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/

Saw this movie on a plane and while it was OK to pass the time with, the film as a whole was pretty bad. The humor was poorly done with unfunny jokes and unfunny slapstick stuff. While the action was pretty intense in some parts, particular the fight between the monks' disciples with the White Bone Spirit, it was too heavy on the CGI.

The monk Tang Sanzang was portrayed like a clueless clown and the three disciples, Monkey King, Pigsy and Sandy, acted pretty useless for the most part. There was too much arguing and bickering among one another, particularly between Tang Sanzang and the Monkey King.

It was hard to believe that the great Hark Tsui directed this movie, but not surprised that funnyman Stephen Chao produced. He really should just stick to acting, as I honestly think his talents are better used on stage.

Grade D-

There is no doubt that this movie having very success in China, maybe will be the top one seller on this month. But,For my opinion , a good box office never equal to good movie, especially in China. Cause you never will know how important a actor can have their fans with money without brain. Their fans will never eject how their idol is never suit for acting. I tell the truth, no one laughed at the cinema instead of awarded. Even the children told to his mother to leave the sit because it really boring.A lot of people over-read about this movie, even the writer said "stop this, i never mean that".i don't think you made up a very analogical reason to say this movie is good is really good for the movie.