Review of The Monkey King (2023)
The Monkey King (2023), an animated film by Stephen Chow, feels like a fresh take on a familiar tale—“new bottle, old wine,” as the saying goes. It follows a well-worn template but spins the story with a brisk, modern flair. Cramming a sprawling myth into a 90-minute runtime means the pacing is lightning-fast, which is understandable given the countless details it tries to juggle.
Story
In The Monkey King (2023), the Monkey King is born from stone and envies the family bonds of other monkeys, feeling lonely and resentful. When tiger attacks young monkeys, he leaps to their rescue but, armed only with a coconut, fails to defeat the beast. Undeterred, he journeys to the Dragon King’s palace—midway through a rain-summoning ceremony—and claims the magical Ruyi Staff to beat the tiger. The other monkeys hail him as the Monkey King, but the troop’s leader scoffs, declaring he must become an immortal by defeating 100 demons to earn the title.
The Monkey King vanquishes 99 demons before arriving at a drought-stricken village. There, he meets Lin, who later becomes his ally but is secretly tasked by the Dragon King to steal the Ruyi Staff in exchange for rain to end the village’s suffering. The Monkey King strikes a deal: he’ll slay the final demon, Red Boy, if the village feasts in his honor to boost his chances of ascending to the heavens. After defeating Red Boy, the Dragon King crashes the celebration, demanding the staff. As they argue, the Dragon King’s guards try to swipe it, but the Monkey King chases them down and reclaims his prize.
Next, the Monkey King and Lin descend to the underworld to alter the Book of Life for immortality. They clash with the King of Hell, barely escaping with the book. Lin, still under the Dragon King’s orders, leads the Monkey King to a peach garden laced with sedative fruit. Though he eats and dozes, he doesn’t fully succumb, surprising the Dragon King, who samples a peach and falls asleep along with his guards. Lin tries to steal the staff but fails. The duo then confronts the Queen Mother to seize an immortality elixir, sparking a battle. When her heavenly army arrives, Lin helps the Monkey King escape by plunging to earth. She tricks him into holding his breath, signaling the Dragon King to swoop in. Furious at the betrayal, the Monkey King learns the Dragon King plans to flood the world. Lin, realizing the Dragon King’s cruelty, switches sides.
The Monkey King storms the Dragon King’s lair to retrieve the Ruyi Staff. They duel, and with Lin’s clever ploy—goading the Dragon King to strike him with lightning, making him grow stronger—he triumphs. But his power spirals out of control, prompting the Buddha to intervene, sealing him under a mountain for 500 years until Tang Monk frees him.
Old Tale, New Spin
The storytelling in The Monkey King (2023) sets it apart from past versions. It zooms in on the Monkey King’s journey from birth to his mountain imprisonment, skipping or reworking familiar beats to feel fresh. This perspective emphasizes his quest for immortality and validation, driven by a need to prove his worth. His companions—the Ruyi Staff and Lin—anchor his solitary path, marked by relentless challenges.
The director molds the Monkey King as a restless adventurer: selfish, impulsive, and stubbornly deaf to others’ advice. He’s like an overactive child—cheerful, outgoing, and reckless, chasing thrills without weighing consequences. This creates chaos for himself and those around him. Lin, by contrast, sacrifices for her village, spying on the Monkey King to secure rain. When she uncovers the Dragon King’s malice, she risks everything to right her wrongs, embodying selflessness against the Monkey King’s ego. Their clashing natures—self-interest versus altruism, impulsiveness versus reflection—drive the narrative, overshadowing other characters.
The Dragon King is a greedy, scheming tyrant; the King of Hell a brash loudmouth; the Queen Mother a spiteful crone; and the Jade Emperor a measured diplomat. Even the Ruyi Staff gets personality—not just a tool, it’s a loyal partner with a temper, choosing the Monkey King over the Dragon King’s lust for power. The village elders, greedy and indulgent, spoil their kin, adding texture to the world. The film’s strongest suit is this vivid character crafting—each role feels distinct and purposeful.
Yet, sharp characters don’t fully redeem the rushed storytelling. The journey from demon-slaying to underworld raids, peach gardens, and heavenly battles skips iconic moments like leading the monkey troop or fully disrupting the Heavenly Palace. With only 90 minutes, cramming in the Heavenly Palace chaos, army battles, and Buddha’s intervention is tough, especially while building rich personalities. Still, The Monkey King carves a unique identity, blending old myths with new angles. If you love Journey to the West and crave a familiar dish with a bold new recipe, this delivers.
Not Quite Perfect
No film is flawless, and animated ones like The Monkey King face extra scrutiny. The character designs are adorable, and the visuals glide smoothly, but the cast feels sparse. The Heavenly Palace showdown features just the Dragon King, Queen Mother, King of Hell, and Jade Emperor. Adding more figures risks diluting the main plot or raising unanswered questions, demanding a beefier script to flesh out extras. This lean approach is forgivable to keep the story tight.
The breakneck pace, however, is harder to excuse. A short runtime doesn’t justify the whirlwind progression. Films should dazzle, entertain, and carry meaning, with tension, action, and inventive twists sparking breakthroughs. The Monkey King falls short here. It lacks gripping drama, standout fights, or hearty laughs. Borrowing characters from Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle feels like a stale rehash, leaning on nostalgic glory to lure fans rather than forging new ground. Critics note the thin cast, rushed plot, flat humor, and uninspired battles, which fail to captivate beyond the Monkey King’s arc from stone-born outcast to mountain-bound rebel—a tale we’ve seen too often to feel novel.
Tension and Action
The visuals stun, but the action and suspense underwhelm. A kids’ animated take on Journey to the West can’t be expected to deliver heart-pounding drama—its story has been retold to death, limiting fresh stakes. Still, compared to genre peers, the fights lack flair, and the tension feels muted. The journey from birth to imprisonment offers no surprises, leaning on a predictable path without the spark to elevate it.
Overall
The Monkey King (2023) is a vibrant reimagining that breathes new life into an ancient legend, even if it doesn’t break free from its roots. Its lively characters and bold visuals shine, but a rushed pace, sparse cast, and lackluster action hold it back. For fans of Journey to the West seeking a quick, charming spin with a modern twist, it’s a fun ride—just don’t expect a masterpiece.
