Monkey King: Hero Is Back
Monkey King: Hero Is Back
PG | 10 July 2015 (USA)
Monkey King: Hero Is Back Trailers

The all-powerful Monkey King once roamed freely between Heaven and Earth, but after angering the Gods, he was imprisoned within an ice cage deep within the mountains. 500 years later, monsters attack a small village and a child flees to the mountains. Unknowingly, the child releases the Monkey King from his curse. With the help and encouragement from this special child, Monkey King saves the village from the evil monsters.

Reviews
mauriciofernandogerhardt

First, I must say I only saw like 10 or 15 minutes of the movie, and it was already enough for me to know that I didn't want to see the rest, and that I should go to IMDb to rate this. Seeing as there were no bad reviews, I wanted to help out other people into not seeing this.Spoiler alert: Starts with monkey king being some kind of god or wannabe god fighting other gods to be accepted into heaven. Does not tell us his motivation for doing so.Even though he wins the fight against 3 other gods, Buddha, which is some kind of super evil god, decides to imprison monkey king under a mountain.Fast forward thousands of years: There's a group of humans going through a narrow path in the mountains. Doesn't tell us why. The path was obviously built by humans. A group of super strong monsters attack the humans. Doesn't tell us why. Also, how did the humans build a path in a monster ridden place? Wouldn't the humans bring warriors to protect them from monsters? When a baby in the group cries, all the monsters forget everything else and go for the baby. Doesn't tell us why. The mother of the baby jumps with the baby out of the mountain path into an abyss. In the next scene there's a baby coming down a river on top of a wooden crate. I think you skipped some important things here: How did the mother falling hundreds or thousands of meters/ miles get to rescue her baby? where did that box come from? At this point I thought: Well, I guess the movie makers are always going to treat the audience as if we're idiots, and I'm no idiot, so bye!

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David Chen

Within the first 15 minutes, Hero is Back realizes its goal: bring older audiences on a nostalgia trip, and enrapture young moviegoers with Sun Wukong, one of the most fantastic characters in Chinese mythology. The director spent 7 years developing this movie to show his son (a Batman junkie) the wonders of Chinese superheroes.Serving as a "pre-sequel" bridge between his two most famous adventures, the flick gives us a VERY interesting take on Wukong's struggles with self-doubt 500 years after he wreaked havoc in heaven.I was so excited for this unique premise that I flew to China to catch the premiere. The theaters were PACKED, as the trailer generated a lot of hype for domestic audiences. Everyone left with a smile on their face, and some with tears in their eyes, having seen their childhood hero brought to life with 21st century technology. The vibe in the theater lobby was amazing, and we all had a great time afterwards.Hero is Back's main failure is to move WAY too fast. After being introduced to our main cast, we barely spend any time with them at all before being moved right to the finale. Indeed, Hero is Back does a good job of establishing character motivations, and develops good chemistry. But the audience needs a few slow scenes here and there to appreciate the gravity of their journey, and to reflect on Wukong's growth!!!Overall, definitely DO watch Hero is Back, especially if you're a Wukong fan. Although it may feel rushed, you will laugh and marvel at the animation, and the insights to Wukong's character make it a unique experience.

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agneswdy

Before you went into a cinema, you may need to know that this film may not satisfy your imagination. Is it funny? Yes, but less funny than Kongfu Panda(Dreamworks). Is it high technology? Yes, but less technological than FINAL FANTASY(Japanese). Is it a moving story? Yes, but less touching than 《UP》(Pixar). Is it a fantasy film? Yes, but less creative than 《Monstors inc.》 (Disney). And why should you pay money to see it? Because it is the best original Chinese animation film you will ever seen. It tells simple story of responsibility and how a middle-aged hero(who has lost his power) outdo himself again. You may not understand some Chinese-background-related concept but you will still be shocked when these catching moment comes.If you ever wanted to be a superhero, the gravity told you "NO" and life itself mock you in your face. This is the right film for you because this glory-lost monkey is you in the past. If you were ever beated down by cruel world, you still fighting on your feet to stand up. This is the right film for you because this awakened monkey is you tomorrow. It's a awosome animation film for the whole fimily. Kids may love it for the cool action characters and a lovely story telling good people defeat bad ones. Adults can enjoy the same thing as their children but some may prefer the true story hiding behind.Someone has said that Chinese cartoon films is 20 years falling behind the Disney、Pixar and Dreamorks. Today the monkey king dramatically narrow this gap down to 10 years over one single night. I am so proud of this monkey and the team who brings its story to the big screen. I'd love to tell every one of my friends how cool this monkey is.If been asked for spinion, I will tell him this: it's not perfect but you should check out this one. "the best animation film of year" may probably belongs to a Disney panda in 2016 but (to me) this year it belongs to a Chinese monkey.

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Hooray Chining

Advantages:1, The character image is more mature.In the animation image design, the film didn't use children's characters for leading roles, like Monkey King, make the characters more mature.The image of Monkey King and Pig Zhu Bajie are all adult who have a background of adult socialization, which is beneficial to the depth of the hero image, rather than the superficial adventures.It is very distinctive that Villain the leading monster's face design for Sichuan Opera Face, and the leading monster's body feels elegant in the sky, I would like give him a name of "the beauty of evil".But after he become a big worm, disgusting, and the modeling of the worm, feel copying the image of the other films.2, Technical level greatly ascend.The mouth moving is more realistic;The background picture more rich layered. Disadvantages:1, The plot is weak.Writers had neither according to the novel, nor made innovation. The screenplay is only designed some abused poking fun which amused the audience once or twice. Even more worse, the focus is not prominent that the Monkey King turned into a hero of justice, slightly weak, it is not enough to convince me.2, Poor continuity in action.Action before and after in a few action scene is not smooth, give me a feeling of unknown cause and effect.3, Insert abrupt improper music.When the Monkey King, Pig Zhu Bajie, and Liu went alliance, background music style suddenly turned from the traditional Chinese opera into rock & roll, it appeared not harmonious.

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