The Monkey King
**This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movies being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Is there room for a film like “The Monkey King” is modern animation? Of course, we should welcome all voices in animation, and film in general, but what I’m referring to is a resolutely family adventure comedy that doesn’t necessarily push the boundaries of the form, or aim for the depth we’ve become accustomed from by Pixar or Miyazaki? Especially in a summer that has seen “Across the Spider-Verse” and “Mutant Mayhem” take leaps in visual storytelling, Pixar deliver its most satisfying original theatrical release in years with “Elemental,” and Netflix release the long-in-development “Nimona” to widespread acclaim, can “The Monkey King” find its own path to audiences? Compared to the films on that list that I’ve seen, “The Monkey King” is like a mid-2000s Dreamworks film that doesn’t look to do anything beyond entertain you, and honestly? It’s satisfying simply as that, even if it’s a film you may not return to in the future.
There is a series of live-action movies called “The Monkey King” that follow the same story, but in a more serious way. The original Chinese novel, Journey to the West, is from the 16th century, and the Monkey King is part of a larger story. This is not a strict adaptation of that text- it’s more inspired by than adapted from- but there are similar ideas at work as a rebellious Monkey hopes to forge his own path, and become a great warrior. When he takes a magical fighting stick from the Dragon King, havoc is caused throughout the world, and in his quest to be someone, he might cause the world’s destruction instead.
While it would be great to see someone use animation to tell this sprawling story in a serious manner, director Anthony Stacchi and his writers, Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman and Rita Hsiao find a way in to the themes of personal responsibility, the desire to gain power, and self-discovery while also making an entertaining film. And “The Monkey King,” with animation by Reel FX studio, is an entertaining film. It’s a beautifully designed world, with distinct designs to go with each character, whether it’s the titular Monkey (voiced by Jimmy O. Yang) who is trying to prove himself; Lin (Jolie Haong-Rappaport), who follows Monkey along, in hopes of helping him and helping her village; the Dragon King (Bowen Yang), an underwater monster who controls the seas; the Jade Emperor (Hoon Lee), who oversees everything; and even the stick itself has a personality. The film will feel very familiar, as the structure of the screenplay is well-worn, but because of the cast of characters, it’s a fun and energetic watch, all the same.
