The Chinese animated film The Monkey King: Reborn offers the latest film adaptation of this mythical figure utilizing stunning visuals. In this particular tale Sun Wukong, otherwise known as the Monkey King, is an irritable demon traveling with his spiritual teacher and master, a human named Tang Monk. Tang Monk has two other disciples traveling with him, the pig demon Bajie and an aquatic demon named Sandy. Nothing in this tale explains how these four came together, but it is clear that all three demons are very loyal to Tang Monk. The quartet stop at a temple where Sun Wukong’s anger is unleashed over a disagreement with the minders of the temple. This results in a powerful ancient demon, by the name of Primordial, being unleashed from his prison. Sun Wukong attempts to destroy Primordial before he can take over the world. Bajie and Sandy accompany him and along the way they recruit a fourth demon to their cause named Fruittie. Fruittie is small and child-like but claims to be a demon made entirely of qi energy. Because of this they believe Fruittie may be the key to defeating Primordial.
This film obviously has some differences from typical Western stories of this type, and is also steeped in Eastern mythology and philosophy. How much that interests you will likely determine how much of the subtle nuances you will get from this narrative. But even if some of the terminology and customs throw you there is still plenty to feast on visually. The artwork on display is absolutely beautiful. The landscapes are lush, the characters are colorful, and every image is given great care and detail. The battle scenes are not only epic but mesmerizing as well. They make your average Western super-hero cinematic experience look tame by comparison.
The story itself is one that has certainly been done before and is a pretty standard good versus evil showdown. As I mentioned, there are some cultural differences for those not familiar with Eastern folklore and thought. For instance, the fact that two demons are fighting and one is good and the other is evil might throw Westerners. This is due to the fact that what these beings really are has no real correlation to anything in the West, so they are just translated as demons. As Fruittie explains at one point, a demon is not inherently evil but can choose to be evil or good. The final resolution is also a little less warm and fuzzy than what is commonly seen in this kind of tale in the West. One also will need to watch the additional scenes that come on after the credits to fully understand it.
One thing that may or may not be due to cultural differences was the character growth. Although the internal journey that Sun Wukong takes was familiar, it felt a bit rushed and inorganic. The change that would take place in Sun Wukong from his interactions with Fruittie were pretty clear from the get go, but I would have liked to see more time devoted to that transition. This movie is chock full of breathtaking mystical action sequences. Although I was thoroughly impressed by them, I found myself wanting a little more balance. An extra scene or two of quiet character development would have gone a long way toward making this story feel more realized.
The Monkey King: Reborn is a feast for the eyes with amazing graphics and eye-popping battle sequences. The story these scenes hang on could have been a bit sturdier, but it still has some really heartfelt moments that serve the viewer well enough. If you’re a fan of animation, magical battles, and/or Eastern culture, The Monkey King: Reborn will be a satisfying experience.
Rorshach Rating:
Mental Health Moment: The Monkey King: Reborn is a tale about the forces of good clashing with the forces of evil. It’s about as high-stakes as you can get. But one of my favorite scenes in the movie is when you see the devastation the village and the villagers have been subjected to after a battle, as a result of the clash between the titanic forces at war in this film. While the Monkey King is ready to move on and chalk it up as a casualty of the great struggle at hand, Fruittie instead sheds a tear and uses his powers to heal those in the village. It is this moment which makes the others realize that although there is a big picture they must contend with, they mustn’t lose sight of the details and care for those caught in the fray. This spoke to me personally, as oftentimes I can get wrapped up in my own internal struggles and lose sight of what others are going through around me. I know my battles with my own demons have been fierce at times, but I must always remember to make sure that battle doesn’t blind me to others in my life. If my problems become too much for me I must look for someone like Fruittie to restore my faith in love and life. For the outcome of the battle means little without compassion.
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Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. The Monkey King: Reborn is property of Well Go USA. We do not own nor claim any rights.
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