IMDb RATING
6.7/10
5K
YOUR RATING
The all-powerful Monkey King was imprisoned by the Gods for 500 years, but when a child releases him from his curse, the Monkey King must now save an innocent village from the evil Mountain ... Read allThe all-powerful Monkey King was imprisoned by the Gods for 500 years, but when a child releases him from his curse, the Monkey King must now save an innocent village from the evil Mountain Lord and his monstrous army.The all-powerful Monkey King was imprisoned by the Gods for 500 years, but when a child releases him from his curse, the Monkey King must now save an innocent village from the evil Mountain Lord and his monstrous army.
- Awards
- 14 wins & 3 nominations total
Lei Zhang
- Monkey King
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Zirong Tong
- Evil Lord
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Jiurong Liu
- Pig
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Wu Di
- Lady Troll
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Beizhen Liu
- Rock Guard
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Qianjing Zhao
- Liuer Father
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Shuai Zhou
- Liuer Mother
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Yuan Lu
- Male Troll
- (Mandarin version)
- (voice)
Jackie Chan
- Monkey King
- (English version)
- (voice)
Feodor Chin
- Evil Lord
- (English version)
- (voice)
Nika Futterman
- Lady Troll
- (English version)
- (voice)
Kei Gambit
- Sun Wukong
- (English version)
- (voice)
James Hong
- Old Monk
- (English version)
- (voice)
David S. Jung
- Jade Emperor
- (English version)
- (voice)
- …
Kannon Kurowski
- Liuer
- (English version)
- (voice)
Featured reviews
Advantages:
1, The character image is more mature.
In the animation image design, the film didn't use children's characters for leading roles, like Monkey King, make the characters more mature.The image of Monkey King and Pig Zhu Bajie are all adult who have a background of adult socialization, which is beneficial to the depth of the hero image, rather than the superficial adventures.
It is very distinctive that Villain the leading monster's face design for Sichuan Opera Face, and the leading monster's body feels elegant in the sky, I would like give him a name of "the beauty of evil".But after he become a big worm, disgusting, and the modeling of the worm, feel copying the image of the other films.
2, Technical level greatly ascend.
The mouth moving is more realistic;The background picture more rich layered.
Disadvantages:
1, The plot is weak.Writers had neither according to the novel, nor made innovation. The screenplay is only designed some abused poking fun which amused the audience once or twice. Even more worse, the focus is not prominent that the Monkey King turned into a hero of justice, slightly weak, it is not enough to convince me.
2, Poor continuity in action.Action before and after in a few action scene is not smooth, give me a feeling of unknown cause and effect.
3, Insert abrupt improper music.When the Monkey King, Pig Zhu Bajie, and Liu went alliance, background music style suddenly turned from the traditional Chinese opera into rock & roll, it appeared not harmonious.
1, The character image is more mature.
In the animation image design, the film didn't use children's characters for leading roles, like Monkey King, make the characters more mature.The image of Monkey King and Pig Zhu Bajie are all adult who have a background of adult socialization, which is beneficial to the depth of the hero image, rather than the superficial adventures.
It is very distinctive that Villain the leading monster's face design for Sichuan Opera Face, and the leading monster's body feels elegant in the sky, I would like give him a name of "the beauty of evil".But after he become a big worm, disgusting, and the modeling of the worm, feel copying the image of the other films.
2, Technical level greatly ascend.
The mouth moving is more realistic;The background picture more rich layered.
Disadvantages:
1, The plot is weak.Writers had neither according to the novel, nor made innovation. The screenplay is only designed some abused poking fun which amused the audience once or twice. Even more worse, the focus is not prominent that the Monkey King turned into a hero of justice, slightly weak, it is not enough to convince me.
2, Poor continuity in action.Action before and after in a few action scene is not smooth, give me a feeling of unknown cause and effect.
3, Insert abrupt improper music.When the Monkey King, Pig Zhu Bajie, and Liu went alliance, background music style suddenly turned from the traditional Chinese opera into rock & roll, it appeared not harmonious.
I grow up watching Japanese anime and American cartoons in China; Chinese people seldom watched our own cartoons; we have never expected to enjoy a good animation directed and made by ourselves. We watched Evangelion; we watched Captain America, but we never have a Chinese hero in our hearts, but now we have one; There is an old word in China: Defects cannot belittle virtues; I have to admit that it impressed me, though it is worse than some Japanese anime,some American cartoons;most people in China read Journey to the West; the story is amended from the book; it has some faults, ambiguous ending for the rule of Chinese Cultural Affairs Bureau, but everyone finishing this movie says:It is the best Chinese 3-D animation I have ever watched; At least, it is a good start of Chinese animation.
Vibrant. Colorful and fast, with some amazingly innovative, original animated images. Characters include an orphan taken in by an aged monk, an ugly obnoxious shape-changing pig, an enemy lord with his armies of kidnapping trolls, and the disgraced Monkey King who must defeat the evil lord to atone for past sins.
The animation is kind of clunky and the characterization leaves a lot to be desired, but the scenery and battles are epic, and there's something touching about the bond between the monkey king and the persistent boy monk. And it's interesting that the great jade king was cast down from heaven and became a great, corpulent, cowardly pig. My 6-year old son Sebastian particularly liked this movie.
So I just finished watching this on Netflix and have to say I am greatly disappointed. After doing a little research I can see why, obviously the version available on Netflix is the worse possible version to watch as it is neither the original or the US version. It is in fact an American dubbed version where not only is the script terrible for the dubbing but the voice acting is equally as bad. It's frustrating because the animation itself is impressive but honestly if you were thinking of giving this film a go don't watch it on Netflix you would be better off watching the original with English subtitles.
Did you know
- TriviaThis movie had a serious divestment problem because Director Tian Xiao Peng rejected the investor's request to alter the script. At last, Peng had to use his own money to finish the movie. When finished, there was no money for advertising. However, the movie earned a good reputation after the premiere, and drew many fans in a very short period of time. These fans called themselves "zi lai shui" (tap water), which means they were willing to advertise the movie on social media for free.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Legends Summarized: The Monkey King (Journey to the West Part 1) (2015)
- How long is Monkey King: Hero Is Back?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- CUG: King of Heroes
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $153,262,397
- Runtime
- 1h 29m(89 min)
- Color
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