Watch Monkey King: Hero Is Back

Monkey King: Hero Is Back is a 3D animated movie released in 2015, directed by Tian Xiaopeng and produced by Dongli Jiemu. It is based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, and the central character of the movie is Sun Wukong or the Monkey King, who is one of the most popular mythical characters in Chinese literature. The movie begins with an introduction to the story of the Monkey King, who was created from stone and then became the ruler of the monkeys in the forest. He learned many magic skills and became powerful enough to challenge the gods in heaven. However, he was eventually defeated by Buddha and imprisoned under a mountain for 500 years as punishment.

In the present day, a young boy named Liuer accidentally frees the Monkey King when he is playing in the forest. Liuer is a lonely orphan who is bullied by his classmates, and he sees the Monkey King as a hero who can help him.

The Monkey King is initially reluctant to help Liuer and is bitter about his past humiliations at the hands of Buddha. However, he gradually learns to care for the boy and becomes protective of him. Together, they set out on a journey to Liuer's village, encountering various obstacles and enemies along the way.

The animation of Monkey King: Hero Is Back is impressive and vivid, with bright colors, detailed backgrounds, and realistic movements. The character designs are also well-done, with the Monkey King being depicted as a muscular, imposing figure with a wild mane of hair and a mischievous grin.

The voice acting in the movie is another strong point, with Lei Zhang doing an excellent job of portraying the Monkey King's pride, humor, and vulnerability. Zijie Lin provides a strong performance as the determined and endearing Liuer, and Wenlun Wu brings a sly and menacing quality to the role of the villainous King Bull.

While the movie is primarily aimed at a younger audience, it also has themes and messages that will resonate with adults. One of the main themes is the importance of compassion and forgiveness, as the Monkey King learns to let go of his anger and bitterness towards Buddha and others who have wronged him. The movie also explores the concept of heroism, and what it really means to be a hero.

Overall, Monkey King: Hero Is Back is an entertaining and engaging movie that will appeal to fans of animated action-adventure films. It has a mix of humor, heart, and spectacle that make it a fun and enjoyable viewing experience.

Monkey King: Hero Is Back is a 2016 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.