Compared to the vast choices of animation movies one gets to access from Japan, China remains an out-of-reach territory. Mulan was the only film with Chinese roots depicted in animation. So far, Over the Moon, Wish Dragon, Green Snake, Raya and the Last Dragon are a few famous names.
The Monkey King was released on Aug 11, 2023, in the US on Netflix and received mixed reactions. While there is always room for criticism of artwork, I focus on peeling the layers that make a movie – tangled thoughts, story, emotions, detailing, and more.
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Born Different
The baby Monkey King is born out of a rock. Born differently from the rest, he senses quickly that there’s little to no social resonance for him. Like other animals, he craves parental affection but finds nothing. His constant attempts of hugging and wanting to be a part of any herd are constantly rejected.
That void remains unfulfilled, and his needs for a family are replaced with coconut mannequins and a desire for recognition to be accepted. The Naruto fanbase will understand this sentiment well, and just like the No. 1 knucklehead ninja, Monkey King grows up to be independent and a powerful troublemaker who is hellbent on taking his seat among the gods; for a sense of belonging among the immortals.
You Write Your Scroll
Annoyed and disappointed by constant lecturing from older fellows, The Monkey King challenges the status quo and collides with them head-on.
Being socially isolated and without family, he is entirely on his own to figure out his life. The desire to sit among the gods is so dire that he takes the viewer through heaven and hell, accomplishing every near-impossible task.
The Monkey King movie challenges the notion of destiny.
While Monkey is born with some innate talent, Lin – a common teenage peasant, exhibits nothing special. She is disappointed to learn that her life story, supposedly written on a scroll possessed by one of the immortals, doesn’t mention anything heroic.
However, she must assist The Monkey King, hoping he might help save her dying village. In the movie’s latter half, we see Lin make tough decisions. Her character grows from being a mere pebble to near-gold-level accomplishments.
While the storyline may center the Monkey to find his path, Lin’s almost apotheosis is a parallel track.
Be Vulnerable But With The Right People
The Monkey King screamed to be accepted. He learned that what cannot be given must be taken by force or won. He learned to be on his own, denied receiving help, and treated others, including Lin, as pebbles who were next to nothing compared to his powers.
However, Lin is the only person with whom he spends the longest time, and she sees his side that was always hidden from the world. Like Naruto, The Monkey King distracts everyone with troublemaking and ambitions to hide his social needs.
Tasteful Cultural Symbolism
Fantasy animation movies take cultural symbolism and beliefs into the art of filmmaking. The process is old, and many popular Anime and Manga stories borrow from the past.
The Monkey King is a family watch with fantasy themes and combines the religious aspects of Buddhism. It is the second film to showcase an animated Buddha after Princess Kaguya.
The viewer is taken through all the realms – earth, heaven, water, earth, and space, and it’s good to see a newer interpretation of these realms.
Final Thoughts
The Monkey King makes a good one-time watch. There are pops of creativity, but the movie must also catch up to detail in various sections. The background work sometimes feels flat, the fight sequences are hushed, and the first half struggles to hold the viewer’s attention.
OTT platforms like Netflix have opened access to new animation content in remote corners of the world. However, this has also created a new race among the studios to offer more feature-length animation films that audiences can view on a near-daily basis.
The pressure to produce good quality work is real. With the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes, I hope we continue to see quality movies with depth that are not competing to meet deadlines, and yes, fair compensation to everybody involved.
Lastly, The Monkey King is a Netflix original, and many will agree that the film’s core message is conquering one’s ego. However, if we also view the story from Lin’s perspective, it is about a neglected child, vulnerability, and going against the tide. People who question the preexisting norms are often “othered” and kept out of social circles. Though it starts shaky, The Monkey King manages to deliver a heartwarming ending at the end.
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