An enchanting Chinese animated film which adapts a mythological tale in a rather whimsical manner, almost akin to a fairytale.
Just compare this with the dull, rather uninspired way in which Hollywood tends to adapt Greek mythology, often removing what made those tales unique and timeless in order to turn into generic adventure tales.
By contrast, this fully embraces the strangeness from myths, resulting into a joyful experience, giving the story a proper other-worldy feel through its delicate visuals. Like I said, before it's very reminiscent of a fairytale or even a dream in a couple of sequences.
Funny how many elements from the plot still seem to have a strong influence in modern eastern fiction: Ne Zha in many ways feels a bit like Goku in the first Dragon Ball series, being able to perform impressive physical tasks in sharp contrast with his childlike appearance. The same can be said about his carefree and sometimes reckless behavior.
Like Goku, he is also a very charismatic character. Brave and strongwilled, yet at the same time quite innocent; just as many heroes from shonen fighting series.
It would be nice to see more Chinese mythology adapted into animation, instead of focusing only in Journey to the West. (I liked a lot Havoc in Heaven, but the rich mythology and fiction from that country certainly can more to offer than just the tale from Sun Wukong, right?)
Just compare this with the dull, rather uninspired way in which Hollywood tends to adapt Greek mythology, often removing what made those tales unique and timeless in order to turn into generic adventure tales.
By contrast, this fully embraces the strangeness from myths, resulting into a joyful experience, giving the story a proper other-worldy feel through its delicate visuals. Like I said, before it's very reminiscent of a fairytale or even a dream in a couple of sequences.
Funny how many elements from the plot still seem to have a strong influence in modern eastern fiction: Ne Zha in many ways feels a bit like Goku in the first Dragon Ball series, being able to perform impressive physical tasks in sharp contrast with his childlike appearance. The same can be said about his carefree and sometimes reckless behavior.
Like Goku, he is also a very charismatic character. Brave and strongwilled, yet at the same time quite innocent; just as many heroes from shonen fighting series.
It would be nice to see more Chinese mythology adapted into animation, instead of focusing only in Journey to the West. (I liked a lot Havoc in Heaven, but the rich mythology and fiction from that country certainly can more to offer than just the tale from Sun Wukong, right?)