Aug. 17, 2023

The Monkey King

Netflix's animated film The Monkey King brings to life an action-packed family comedy inspired by the epic Chinese tale of the same name. By: Syahmi Zulqarnain

Synopsis: Inspired by an epic Chinese tale, The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a charismatic Monkey and his magical fighting Stick on an epic quest for victory over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkey’s greatest foe of all — his own ego!

Length: The animated film has a runtime of 1 hour and 32 mins.

Cast: The film is directed by Anthony Stacchi, and written by Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman and Rita Hsiao.

The film features the voices of BD Wong as Buddha, Hoon Lee as Jade Emperor, Jimmy O. Yang as Monkey King, Bowen Yang as Dragon King, Jo Koy as Benbo, Ron Yuan as Babbo, and James Sie as Elder Monkey, among others.

Review: The film takes inspiration from the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West attributed to Wu Cheng’en. The narrative centres around Monkey (voiced by Jimmy O. Yang), an overconfident character born from a rock and afflicted with acute narcissism. His journey unfolds as he gains possession of the Dragon King's all-powerful Stick, a magical and versatile tool. Monkey's objective is to achieve immortality, leading him to embark on a series of adventures that include encounters with the omnipotent Buddha and the peach-stealing escapades familiar to fans of the source material.

While the film embraces the spirit of the original story, it introduces new elements, including the character Lin (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport), who serves as Monkey's companion. Lin, working secretly for the Dragon King to save her village from drought, embodies the strong, resourceful female character often seen in contemporary animations. Despite the underwritten nature of her story compared to Monkey's, Lin's design and presence add depth to the film.

Bowen Yang's vocal performance as the spiteful and effete Dragon King stands out, injecting humour and charm into the narrative. His portrayal complements the film's energetic pace and adds a layer of entertainment for both young audiences and adults.

The Monkey King demonstrates Netflix's ability to bring ancient tales to life with a modern touch, appealing to viewers of all ages. While it may not reach the complexity of some of the streaming giant's recent productions, such as Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, the film's lively storytelling, engaging characters, and delightful frills ensure an enjoyable cinematic experience for families and animation enthusiasts alike.

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