Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
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Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
Ok, so I watch a few non English speaking fantasy films and few days ago saw the Chinese film Monkey King. Supposedly costing an equivalent of $60 million USD to make it has already grossed $64.3 million in its first 4 days. In Australia when I saw it on Tuesday with my gf the cinema was pretty much full and I was lucky to get some seats. Most of the patrons were Chinese like myself but there were several non Chinese people there as well.
Firstly before I start commenting on the film, I will preface this by saying I am not a purist for most things. So when say Superman killed General Zod even though in the comics Superman doesn't kill, I didn't mind that. Its not so much the fact that you change things that bothers me, its how you change it. So this is a loose adaptation of the first few chapters from the classical story Journey into the West. They clearly change things a bit, which I will discuss below without spoiling it too much. So if you're a purist, this film is not for you. Of course since most Chinese kids know the basic story, why wouldn't you want a film which changes things a little bit? But that's just me. If its not obvious, I actually enjoyed the changes they make to the story.
Since the story is generally well known if you are into Chinese classics, I will spoil the original story ( as opposed to the movie reimagining). Long story shot, due to mystical forces blah blah blah a monkey is born from a stone. He will later take the name Sun Wukong. You see in this world, some animals are sentient, and Wukong is crowned King of the monkeys at their home in Hua Gua Shan (literally the mountain of Flowers & Fruit). One day after becoming depressed at his own mortality he leaves to learn the magic arts from Taoist priests (or should that be Daoist ). Anyway just like some D & D stuff if you learn the right magic you can become immortal. So Wukong picks up some magic and martial skills but is eventually expelled for showing off his abilities, namely his shapeshifting skills.
Returning home he protects his fellow Monkeys from a demon which has been terrorising them and gets involved in a few Sheenanigans. The Jade Emperor invites him up to heaven to become an official (to keep an eye on him) but Wukong flees when he finds out that the position he holds is lowly, and he feels its beneath his station. He gets re invited back to heaven and frankly becomes a criminal doing things because he can, such as eating from the sacred mystical peaches, stealing pills of immortality etc. Eventually they capture him and try and try to execute him by burning him alive (because you know, torture is cool and all that) but it just serves to make him stronger. Eventually they ask the Buddha from the Western Paradise to give them a hand and Buddha traps him under a mountain and thus begins Wukong's story of redemption.
So what's different about the adaptation? Please note I won't spoil the adaptation after spending a long time talking about how its different from the novel.
1. Firstly Wukong is portrayed more sympathetically. I actually like this, because its hard to root for the protangonist if they are being a dick just because he can. In this adaptation he is expelled for beating up a racist (or should that be speciest) human disciple rather than for showing off.
He is manipulated by a conspiracy between forces who wish to reignite the war between the deities and the demons. In case you haven't figured out, this war did not happen in the novel and its added in the movie to IMO enrich the mythos.
2. His monkeys are not immortal like him. In the novel Wukong rips out pages of the book of the dead which lists the name of all beings and their appointed time to die. This in effect makes those whose names on those pages immortal. Now the reason why I note this is, because the fact that his monkeys are mortal becomes an important plot point.
3. Other characters are introduced such as a potential girlfriend in the form of a mystical shapeshifting fox spirit, who has her own ulterior motive.
4. The Jade Emperor is not some wussy bureaucrat but is a kick ass warrior played by Chow Yun Fat.
5. Wukong's adventures do not occur in a vacuum. In the background the conflict between Deities and Demons are waiting to stir.
As expected this film utilised a lot of CGI. Some large scale ones were ok, such as Wukong changing into a giant ape monkey. Someone seriously needs to tell animators that apes are not monkeys. Some of the smaller CGI are utilised quite nicely. For example in the fights between Wukong and Erlangshen they both use transformation skills in the battle. Wukong changes himself into smoke to escape being hit while Erlangshen blends into the surroundings like a chameleon waiting for his chance to strike. Also I liked Erlanshen's face morphing sequence. They used a subtle transformation rather than having his face twist into a new image like T-1000 style.
The fights between Demons, Deities and Wukong reminds me of the battle between the Titans and Olympians in Immortals. I think they also did a good job to showcase the 3D aspect of the fighting, since all combatants could fly.
All in all I enjoyed this movie and would likely get the blu ray. I would say its family orientated but still entertaining enough even if you don't usually like that type of stuff.
Firstly before I start commenting on the film, I will preface this by saying I am not a purist for most things. So when say Superman killed General Zod even though in the comics Superman doesn't kill, I didn't mind that. Its not so much the fact that you change things that bothers me, its how you change it. So this is a loose adaptation of the first few chapters from the classical story Journey into the West. They clearly change things a bit, which I will discuss below without spoiling it too much. So if you're a purist, this film is not for you. Of course since most Chinese kids know the basic story, why wouldn't you want a film which changes things a little bit? But that's just me. If its not obvious, I actually enjoyed the changes they make to the story.
Since the story is generally well known if you are into Chinese classics, I will spoil the original story ( as opposed to the movie reimagining). Long story shot, due to mystical forces blah blah blah a monkey is born from a stone. He will later take the name Sun Wukong. You see in this world, some animals are sentient, and Wukong is crowned King of the monkeys at their home in Hua Gua Shan (literally the mountain of Flowers & Fruit). One day after becoming depressed at his own mortality he leaves to learn the magic arts from Taoist priests (or should that be Daoist ). Anyway just like some D & D stuff if you learn the right magic you can become immortal. So Wukong picks up some magic and martial skills but is eventually expelled for showing off his abilities, namely his shapeshifting skills.
Returning home he protects his fellow Monkeys from a demon which has been terrorising them and gets involved in a few Sheenanigans. The Jade Emperor invites him up to heaven to become an official (to keep an eye on him) but Wukong flees when he finds out that the position he holds is lowly, and he feels its beneath his station. He gets re invited back to heaven and frankly becomes a criminal doing things because he can, such as eating from the sacred mystical peaches, stealing pills of immortality etc. Eventually they capture him and try and try to execute him by burning him alive (because you know, torture is cool and all that) but it just serves to make him stronger. Eventually they ask the Buddha from the Western Paradise to give them a hand and Buddha traps him under a mountain and thus begins Wukong's story of redemption.
So what's different about the adaptation? Please note I won't spoil the adaptation after spending a long time talking about how its different from the novel.
1. Firstly Wukong is portrayed more sympathetically. I actually like this, because its hard to root for the protangonist if they are being a dick just because he can. In this adaptation he is expelled for beating up a racist (or should that be speciest) human disciple rather than for showing off.
He is manipulated by a conspiracy between forces who wish to reignite the war between the deities and the demons. In case you haven't figured out, this war did not happen in the novel and its added in the movie to IMO enrich the mythos.
2. His monkeys are not immortal like him. In the novel Wukong rips out pages of the book of the dead which lists the name of all beings and their appointed time to die. This in effect makes those whose names on those pages immortal. Now the reason why I note this is, because the fact that his monkeys are mortal becomes an important plot point.
3. Other characters are introduced such as a potential girlfriend in the form of a mystical shapeshifting fox spirit, who has her own ulterior motive.
4. The Jade Emperor is not some wussy bureaucrat but is a kick ass warrior played by Chow Yun Fat.
5. Wukong's adventures do not occur in a vacuum. In the background the conflict between Deities and Demons are waiting to stir.
As expected this film utilised a lot of CGI. Some large scale ones were ok, such as Wukong changing into a giant ape monkey. Someone seriously needs to tell animators that apes are not monkeys. Some of the smaller CGI are utilised quite nicely. For example in the fights between Wukong and Erlangshen they both use transformation skills in the battle. Wukong changes himself into smoke to escape being hit while Erlangshen blends into the surroundings like a chameleon waiting for his chance to strike. Also I liked Erlanshen's face morphing sequence. They used a subtle transformation rather than having his face twist into a new image like T-1000 style.
The fights between Demons, Deities and Wukong reminds me of the battle between the Titans and Olympians in Immortals. I think they also did a good job to showcase the 3D aspect of the fighting, since all combatants could fly.
All in all I enjoyed this movie and would likely get the blu ray. I would say its family orientated but still entertaining enough even if you don't usually like that type of stuff.
Never apologise for being a geek, because they won't apologise to you for being an arsehole. John Barrowman - 22 June 2014 Perth Supernova.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.
Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
huh.....
Hmmm.... Looks like the LNY market is trying severely to capture my dollar. I failed to watch Grudge match when its out and I'm seriously considering splitting my coin between Lego the Movie and one Chinese movie this week, with 'maybe' Robocop if my cash holds out.
I'm not sure how to split my entertainment dollar now.......
Hmmm.... Looks like the LNY market is trying severely to capture my dollar. I failed to watch Grudge match when its out and I'm seriously considering splitting my coin between Lego the Movie and one Chinese movie this week, with 'maybe' Robocop if my cash holds out.
I'm not sure how to split my entertainment dollar now.......
Let him land on any Lyran world to taste firsthand the wrath of peace loving people thwarted by the myopic greed of a few miserly old farts- Katrina Steiner
Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
Go and watch the Lego movie instead. The Monkey King is just another poorly written film with special effects from a video game. There is hardly any character development in this movie.
Humans are such funny creatures. We are selfish about selflessness, yet we can love something so much that we can hate something.
- Bob the Gunslinger
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Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
Does anyone know when the Monkey King will be released in the US? I'm really looking forward to seeing it.
(And the lego movie.)
(And the lego movie.)
"Gunslinger indeed. Quick draw, Bob. Quick draw." --Count Chocula
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
- mr friendly guy
- The Doctor
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Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
How often does the US show foreign films? In Australia if we want to watch non Hollywood fare (and I include in that observation things like Indie films) we generally go to specialise theatres. However some Hoyts theatres (larger ones) do tend to show foreign films for a limited time.
In any event a quick google search doesn't have a release date. Maybe if you check the cinema's website for movies coming soon.
In any event a quick google search doesn't have a release date. Maybe if you check the cinema's website for movies coming soon.
Never apologise for being a geek, because they won't apologise to you for being an arsehole. John Barrowman - 22 June 2014 Perth Supernova.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.
- Bob the Gunslinger
- Has not forgotten the face of his father
- Posts: 4760
- Joined: 2004-01-08 06:21pm
- Location: Somewhere out west
Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
Looks like the US release date is September 14th. I don't see why any studio would wait so long to release such a huge blockbuster over here. The film has already made more than $300 million; it's sure to be bootlegged and pirated like crazy.
"Gunslinger indeed. Quick draw, Bob. Quick draw." --Count Chocula
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
- mr friendly guy
- The Doctor
- Posts: 11235
- Joined: 2004-12-12 10:55pm
- Location: In a 1960s police telephone box somewhere in Australia
Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
Wow. Another film which Australia gets before the US. I wonder if this will be released on blu ray by the time it screens in the US.
Never apologise for being a geek, because they won't apologise to you for being an arsehole. John Barrowman - 22 June 2014 Perth Supernova.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.
- Bob the Gunslinger
- Has not forgotten the face of his father
- Posts: 4760
- Joined: 2004-01-08 06:21pm
- Location: Somewhere out west
Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
Oops, 300 million yuan. Anyway, I'm pretty psyched to see this.
I hope it does well here.
I hope it does well here.
"Gunslinger indeed. Quick draw, Bob. Quick draw." --Count Chocula
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
"Unquestionably, Dr. Who is MUCH lighter in tone than WH40K. But then, I could argue the entirety of WWII was much lighter in tone than WH40K." --Broomstick
"This is ridiculous. I look like the Games Workshop version of a Jedi Knight." --Harry Dresden, Changes
"Like...are we canonical?" --Aaron Dembski-Bowden to Dan Abnett
- mr friendly guy
- The Doctor
- Posts: 11235
- Joined: 2004-12-12 10:55pm
- Location: In a 1960s police telephone box somewhere in Australia
Re: Monkey King 3D review [some spoilers dah]
Well according to wiki its make 911 million yuan now.
Never apologise for being a geek, because they won't apologise to you for being an arsehole. John Barrowman - 22 June 2014 Perth Supernova.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.
Countries I have been to - 14.
Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.
Always on the lookout for more nice places to visit.