Watch Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back

Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back is a 2017 Chinese fantasy adventure film that serves as a loose sequel to the 2013 hit movie, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons. The film centers on the journey of Tang Sanzang (Kris Wu), a Buddhist monk tasked with the mission of retrieving sacred scriptures and his encounters with a group of demons that try to stop him from reaching his objective.

The movie begins with a stunning opening scene that showcases the battle between Good (represented by the Tang monk and his disciples) and Evil (personified by a group of ferocious demons). The scene sets the tone for the rest of the film and establishes the high-quality visual effects that the viewer should expect throughout the journey. The story then shifts to Tang as he sets out on his adventure, accompanied by three disciples, Sun Wukong (Kenny Lin), Zhu Bajie (Chen Yao), and Sha Wujing (Huang Bo).

The journey starts off smoothly, but as they progress, they encounter various obstacles on their path. The group is captured by a group of female bandits, who have a hidden agenda. The bandits force the disciples to marry them, leading to some hilarious and memorable moments. The humorous interplay between the characters is the high point of the movie and one of the reasons why it is such an enjoyable experience.

The group then searches for a magical weapon that can assist them in their mission, and in the process, they encounter the first of many demons. The demons are intimidating and unrelenting, and their fight scenes are intense and exhilarating. The film does not hold back in showcasing their fantastic special effects and action choreography.

As they progress further into their journey, the group encounters new demons, each with their unique powers and abilities. The demons are creatively designed, and their appearances are distinct, allowing them to stand out from each other. The movie does an excellent job in showcasing the differences between the demons and how the group has to overcome their various challenges.

Meanwhile, Tang's past comes back to haunt him, and he has to confront his demons, both figuratively and literally. The storyline provides a stark contrast to the more comedic scenes, highlighting the moral message of the movie that is in line with Buddhist teachings.

The cinematography is one of the highlights of this movie, with breathtaking landscapes and mesmerizing colors that set the tone for each scene. The film's pacing is fast, and it does not lag or lose focus at any point. The blend of action, humor, and fantasy elements keeps the audience entertained and engaged throughout.

Apart from the visual spectacle, the film's soundtrack also deserves recognition. The score is a perfect fit for the movie's epic scenes and serves to elevate the film's impact.

Overall, Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back is a fantastic movie that is worth watching. It manages to entertain and engage the viewer while delivering an essential moral message, which is a testament to its well-crafted script. The performances from the actors, especially Kris Wu, Kenny Lin, and Chen Yao, are exceptional, and they bring life to their respective characters. The film's inventive special effects, action scenes, and humor make for a visually stunning and captivating experience. It is a perfect blend of fantasy, adventure, comedy, and drama that will appeal to audiences of all ages, making it a fun and memorable watch.

Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back is a 2017 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 59.