Monkey King
Hero is Back
Director: Tian Xiaopeng
Based on: Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en
Character/Voice Actors/Actresses
Monkey King ~ voiced by ~ Jackie Chan
Liuer ~ voiced by ~ Kannon Kurowski
Old Monk ~ voiced by ~ James Hong
Evil Lord ~ voiced by ~ Feodor Chin
Pigsy ~ voiced by ~ Roger Craig Smith
Jade Emperor ~ voiced by ~ David S. Jung
Father ~ voiced by ~ David S. Jung
Lady Troll ~ voiced by ~ Nika FuttermanM J FlackProduced by: Beijing Weiyingshidai Culture & Media Hengdian Chinese
Distribution Date: 10 July 2015
Plot: The all-powerful Monkey King, Sun Wukong, is imprisoned by the Buddha within an ice cage deep within the mountains for rebelling against heaven.And 500 years later, Mountain Trolls attack a group of travellers- all except for a baby boy named Liuer are killed, and Liuer is adopted by a monk. Several years later, the same trolls invade a small village and kidnap 49 young children. Liuer saves one of the baby girls and is chased by the trolls for doing so. He stumbles into the cave where the Monkey King was imprisoned, and unknowingly releases him from his curse. Sun Wukong defeats the trolls, although he's only able to use physical attacks, since a remnant of Buddha's seal prevents him from regaining his magical powers.
The three come upon Pigsy, a war god that Wukong defeated in a battle 500 years ago, now reincarnated into a pig demon. Though Wukong is again hesitant, Pigsy joins the group as well. They stay overnight at an inn, but its owners turn out to be Trolls in disguise, who try to kidnap the baby. More trolls arrive and Wukong fights them off. The leader of the monsters, Hun Dun, appears, defeating Wukong and capturing the girl. After Wukong refuses to pursue them, Liuer goes ahead to save them on his own.
At Hun Dun's lair, it is shown that he plans to sacrifice all the children they've kidnapped in order to gain magical powers. Liuer meets with his mentor, Fa Ming, to try to rescue them but nearly get captured. Wukong finds a doll of himself that Liuer had, and realises how important of a figure he is. He and Pigsy go to help Liuer. Saving Liuer and the 49 children, Wukong, defeats the monsters- however, a Solar Eclipse occurs, and Hun Dun turns into a titanic monstrous beast. Liuer is killed when the monster's rampage causes rocks to fall and crush him.
Review: This an a well crafted and thoroughly entertaining adaptation of the Monkey legend. The characters are relatable and fun to follow as they each establish their part in the over all story. At times you may even feel just a little bit sorry for the minions of the Evil Lord who seem to know just how expendable they are and how no matter what happens they will none the less end up collateral damage.
I enjoyed the way the story developed the relationship between Monkey and the young Monk in Training. Perhaps in some ways the young Monk could be seen to mirror what Monkey's younger spirit might have been like. Over all a great film for the whole family.