Netflix’s “The Monkey King” disappoints with its lackluster execution, offering little in terms of humor, heart, or action. The film plays it safe and fails to capture the essence of the beloved Chinese character, Sun Wukong. While occasional martial arts whimsy and the partnership between the Monkey King and Lin add some structure, the narrative remains shallow, often interrupted by uninspiring dialogue and episodic encounters. Bowen Yang’s portrayal of the Dragon King injects some vitality into the movie’s visuals and character dynamics, but it’s not enough to save the overall experience. “The Monkey King” falls short of Netflix’s more ambitious animated ventures, missing the mark in becoming a classic. Visit afdah for more!
The Monkey King 2023
The Monkey King
| August 18, 2023 (United States)
Director: Anthony StacchiWriter: Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman, Rita HsiaoStars: Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport
Summary: Inspired by an epic Chinese tale, translated into an action-packed comedy, a Monkey and his magical fighting Stick battle demons, dragons, gods and the greatest adversary of all - Monkey's e... Read all
Countries: China, Hong Kong, United StatesLanguages: English, Chinese