#Return of the monkey king film movie

Also, giving the Monkey a chance for instant redemption makes his punishment unnecessary. The Monkey is now a gentler, less dangerous character lacking the rebellious edge given to him in other screen adaptations. The downside is that Sun Wukong has been neutered. Narrative efficiency for a one-off film, hedging the bets on a sequel РІР‚вЂњ itРІР‚в„ўs understandable why filmmakers would make this choice. The changes spare Wukong from being the villain РІР‚вЂњ which he essentially was in the original text РІР‚вЂњ and also give him a chance at redemption during the film, as opposed to 500 years later when heРІР‚в„ўll be drafted by the monk Xuanzhang for their journey to the west.

Basically, Buffalo Demon King plays both Sun Wukong and the Jade Emperor, which in many ways changes the point of the story.

However, the screenplay makes the Monkey a patsy for the Buffalo Demon King and the traitorous god Erlangshen (Peter Ho), who wish to use WukongРІР‚в„ўs connection to NuwaРІР‚в„ўs blue crystals to undo her protection of Heaven and clear the way for an assault by demon armies. WukongРІР‚в„ўs anger at Heaven would be the cause of his rampage if this were a faithful adaptation of РІР‚СљJourney to the WestРІР‚Сњ. Tempers flare, the gauntlet is thrown and soon Wukong causes havoc in Heaven. But more mischief follows the Monkey raids the Celestial Peach Orchard before attempting to steal of one of the Jade EmperorРІР‚в„ўs power-enhancing elixir pills. Feeling his oats, Wukong arrogantly titles himself the РІР‚СљGreat Sage Equal to HeavenРІР‚Сњ and heads skyward to meet the Jade Emperor, who, amused at the boastful monkey, assigns him to guard the Heavenly Stables. WukongРІР‚в„ўs playfulness causes more trouble when he acquires his iconic golden cudgel by stealing it from the East Sea Dragon King (Liu Hua). Huaguo, where he can play king of the monkeys and not annoy humans. However, the MonkeyРІР‚в„ўs mischief gets him sent back to Mt. A disciple of Buddha, Puti believes enough in Wukong that he gives him clothing and trains him in Taoist techniques. The blue crystals also give birth to a monkey (Donnie Yen) whoРІР‚в„ўs later named Sun Wukong by the benevolent Master Puti (Hai Yitian). Meanwhile, the goddess Nuwa (Zhang Zilin) surveys the wreckage then writhes about like sheРІР‚в„ўs in an expensive shampoo commercial before turning into a zillion blue crystals that repair the Heavens. Defeated, the Buffalo Demon King is banished to the Flaming Mountain alongside his heavenly lover Princess Iron Fan (Joe Chen). A battle between deities led by the Jade Emperor (a charismatic and regal Chow Yun-Fat), and demons led by the Buffalo Demon King (a dour and intense Aaron Kwok) leaves the Heavens in ruins. The screenplay loosely adapts the earliest chapters of the epic novel РІР‚СљJourney to the WestРІР‚Сњ, while doing little to make the fanciful story accessible to uninitiated audiences. Neither Yen nor Soi brings the grit or cool that fans of those films expect РІР‚вЂњ though both do get paychecks and parental points as compensation. Taking it further, The Monkey King will absolutely disappoint if you see the names Donnie Yen and Soi Cheang and think Ip Man or Motorway.

#Return of the monkey king film movie

Just donРІР‚в„ўt go in asking for too much because this movie wonРІР‚в„ўt give it to you. More inspired Monkey King films like Stephen ChowРІР‚в„ўs Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons present a stronger alternative, but The Monkey King is fine for standard commercial entertainment. While the film lacks edge or creativity, and departs from Monkey King lore in a very important way, it still holds together as an OK fantasy film for families and kids. So what gives? Should we enjoy this movie like the four-quadrant blockbuster that it apparently is? Or dislike it for its inaccurate adaptation and lack of geek-baiting coolness? Actually, both perspectives have a point. The expensive Donnie Yen-starrer also earned middling-to-poor notices from Chinese and Western pundits alike, and yet the box office train kept rolling.

Donnie Yen is engaging as a more innocent and less arrogant version of the Monkey King.Р”В¬osting a pretty penny and delayed multiple times, Soi CheangРІР‚в„ўs The Monkey King broke box office records upon its eventual release РІР‚вЂњ in ticket price-gouging 3D РІР‚вЂњ during the 2014 Lunar New Year. Despite being modified from the classic legend, the story adaptation works and the Monkey King is given a solid character arc. Joe Chen Qiao-En, Xia Zitong, Hai Yitian, Liu Hua, KellyР”В¬hen, Gigi Leung Wing-Kei, Zhang Zilin, Him Law,Р”Р„ likely disappointment for those tuning in for Soi Cheang and Donnie Yen, but a passably entertaining spectacle for kids and families. Szeto Kam-Yuen, Edmund Wong, Huo Xin, Dali Chen