The Monkey King 3: A Review of the Chinese Fantasy Film
The Monkey King 3 is a 2018 Chinese fantasy film based on the classic novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. The film is the third installment of the Monkey King franchise, after The Monkey King (2014) and The Monkey King 2 (2016). Directed and produced by Cheang Pou-soi, the film stars Aaron Kwok, Feng Shaofeng, Xiao Shenyang, Him Law and Zhao Liying. The film was released on February 16, 2018, the first day of the Chinese New Year holiday period.
the monkey king 3
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Introduction
The film follows the adventures of Sun Wukong (Aaron Kwok), Tang Sanzang (Feng Shaofeng), Zhu Bajie (Xiao Shenyang) and Sha Wujing (Him Law) four travelers who are on a quest to obtain Buddhist scriptures from India. Along their journey, they encounter various challenges and dangers, such as demons, monsters, and gods. In this installment, they accidentally enter the Womanland of Western Liang, a nation populated by women raised to believe that men are fatally deceptive in matters of love. Love nevertheless blossoms between Tang Sanzang and the Womanland's young queen (Zhao Liying), even though her royal preceptor (Gigi Leung) is hell-bent on sentencing them to death. As Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing search for a way out of this nation surrounded by a vast magical net, it soon transpires that romantic love is the only key to opening the gate.
Plot summary
The film begins with Sun Wukong being imprisoned in a cave by Buddha for his rebellious actions in heaven. He is freed by Tang Sanzang, a Buddhist monk who seeks his help in obtaining sacred scriptures from India. Sun Wukong agrees to accompany him on his journey, along with Zhu Bajie, a pig demon who was once a heavenly marshal, and Sha Wujing, a water-buffalo demon who was once a celestial general. The four travelers face many obstacles and enemies along their way, such as a spider demon who tries to seduce Tang Sanzang, a river god who demands a sacrifice from them, and a nine-headed lion king who wants to eat them.
One day, they come across a river that leads them to a mysterious land. They follow it and discover that it is inhabited by only women. They are captured by the soldiers of the Womanland and brought before their queen. The queen is curious about them and decides to spare their lives for now. She also develops feelings for Tang Sanzang, who is kind and gentle to her. However, her advisor, who is also her aunt, is suspicious of them and believes that they are spies sent by men to destroy their country. She plots to kill them and expose their true nature.
Meanwhile, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing try to find a way to escape from their prison. They learn that there is a magical net that surrounds the land and prevents anyone from leaving or entering. They also learn that there is a prophecy that says that one day, a man will come and open the gate with the power of love. They realize that Tang Sanzang is the chosen one and that he must fall in love with the queen to break the net. They try to persuade him to do so, but he is reluctant because he is a monk and has taken a vow of celibacy. He also respects the queen and does not want to deceive her.
The queen, on the other hand, is torn between her duty and her heart. She knows that she must marry a man from another land to fulfill the prophecy and save her people, but she also loves Tang Sanzang and does not want to lose him. She decides to confess her feelings to him and ask him to stay with her. However, before she can do so, her aunt intervenes and reveals that she has poisoned Tang Sanzang's food. She orders her soldiers to kill him and his companions.
Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing fight back and protect Tang Sanzang. They manage to escape from the palace and head to the river. There, they encounter a giant crocodile that attacks them. Sun Wukong uses his magic staff to fend it off, but it proves to be too strong. He then notices that there is a golden lotus on its head that controls its mind. He plucks it off and throws it away, freeing the crocodile from its spell. The crocodile then transforms into a beautiful woman, who turns out to be the original queen of the Womanland. She explains that she was cursed by a jealous goddess who wanted to destroy her country. She also says that only true love can break the net and restore peace to the land.
She then looks at Tang Sanzang and the current queen, who have followed them to the river. She sees that they are in love and tells them to kiss each other. They hesitate at first, but then they embrace and kiss passionately. As they do so, the net shatters and a bright light shines over the land. The people of the Womanland rejoice and celebrate their freedom. The original queen blesses Tang Sanzang and the current queen and tells them to be happy together.
The film ends with Tang Sanzang and his companions continuing their journey to India, accompanied by the current queen, who has abdicated her throne and joined them as a disciple. They bid farewell to the original queen, who stays behind to rebuild her country. They also thank Sun Wukong for his help and friendship. Sun Wukong smiles and says that he is glad to have met them.
The Monkey King 3: Kingdom of Women
The Monkey King 3: Chinese fantasy film
The Monkey King 3: Journey to the West adaptation
The Monkey King 3: Aaron Kwok as Sun Wukong
The Monkey King 3: Zhao Liying as the queen
The Monkey King 3: Cheang Pou-soi director
The Monkey King 3: box office and reviews
The Monkey King 3: watch online or download
The Monkey King 3: trailer and photos
The Monkey King 3: cast and crew
The Monkey King 3: special makeup effects
The Monkey King 3: release date and countries
The Monkey King 3: plot summary and spoilers
The Monkey King 3: awards and nominations
The Monkey King 3: trivia and quotes
The Monkey King 3: novel by Wu Cheng'en
The Monkey King 3: Feng Shaofeng as Tang Sanzang
The Monkey King 3: Xiaoshenyang as Zhu Bajie
The Monkey King 3: Him Law as Sha Wujing
The Monkey King 3: Lin Chi-ling as River God
The Monkey King 3: Gigi Leung as National Division
The Monkey King 3: Liu Tao as Guanyin
The Monkey King 3: Kingdom Yuen as Priest
The Monkey King 3: Filmko Entertainment production
The Monkey King 3: Film Workshop distribution
The Monkey King 3: sequel to The Monkey King 2
The Monkey King 3: third installment of the franchise
The Monkey King 3: net energy gain in fusion experiment
The Monkey King 3: Womanland of Western Liang setting
The Monkey King 3: romantic love as the key to escape
The Monkey King 3: action, adventure, family, fantasy genres
The Monkey King 3: not rated certificate
The Monkey King 3: Mandarin and English languages
The Monkey King 3: Taiwan filming location
The Monkey King 3: budget and gross worldwide
The Monkey King 3: Rotten Tomatoes rating and metascore
The Monkey King 3: IMDb rating and user reviews
The Monkey King 3: Wikipedia page and information
The Monkey King 3: Archive.org video and subtitles
The Monkey King 3: Popcorn21 subtitle Indonesia film
Analysis
Strengths
The Monkey King 3 is a film that has many strengths, such as:
It is faithful to the spirit of the original novel, Journey to the West, which is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. It captures the essence of the characters, the themes, and the humor of the story.
It showcases the culture and mythology of China, which are rich and diverse. It introduces viewers to various aspects of Chinese history, religion, philosophy, art, and folklore.
It uses special effects and makeup to create a fantasy world that is colorful and imaginative. It features stunning landscapes, exotic creatures, and spectacular action scenes.
Weaknesses
The Monkey King 3 is a film that also has some weaknesses, such as:
It deviates from some of the details of the original novel, such as changing some of the events, characters, and settings. For example, in the novel, Tang Sanzang does not fall in love with the queen of the Womanland, but with a princess of a different country.
It deals with gender issues and stereotypes in a superficial and problematic way. It portrays the women of the Womanland as naive, emotional, and dependent on men, while the men are rational, brave, and heroic. It also reinforces the idea that heterosexual love is the ultimate goal and solution for everyone.
Conclusion
The Monkey King 3 is a film that offers a fun and entertaining experience for fans of fantasy and adventure. It is based on a classic novel that has influenced generations of readers and writers. It also reflects the culture and mythology of China, which are fascinating and diverse. However, the film also has some flaws that may disappoint or offend some viewers, especially those who are familiar with the original source material or who are sensitive to gender issues. The film is not a masterpiece, but it is not a disaster either. It is a decent adaptation that has its merits and demerits.
The target audience of the film is mainly people who enjoy fantasy and adventure films, especially those who are interested in Chinese culture and mythology. The film is suitable for children and adults alike, as it does not contain any explicit or violent scenes. However, some viewers may find some of the jokes and dialogues crude or inappropriate.
The overall rating and recommendation of the film is 3 out of 5 stars. The film is worth watching if you are looking for a light-hearted and amusing film that will take you to a different world. However, if you are looking for a faithful and profound adaptation of the novel, or a nuanced and progressive portrayal of gender relations, you may want to skip this film or watch it with a critical eye.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the film:
QuestionAnswer
Who is the Monkey King?The Monkey King is Sun Wukong, a legendary figure in Chinese mythology. He is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices. He rebels against the Jade Emperor in heaven and causes havoc in the world. He is eventually subdued by Buddha and becomes a disciple of Tang Sanzang.
What is Journey to the West?Journey to the West is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. It tells the story of Tang Sanzang's pilgrimage to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures, accompanied by Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing. Along their way, they encounter various demons, gods, and adventures.
What is the Womanland of Western Liang?The Womanland of Western Liang is a fictional country in Journey to the West. It is located in Central Asia and is populated by only women. The women reproduce by bathing in a magic spring once every year. The country has no contact with men until Tang Sanzang and his companions arrive.
Is The Monkey King 3 based on a true story?No, The Monkey King 3 is not based on a true story. It is based on a fictional novel that is inspired by historical events and legends. The novel itself is a fictionalized account of the real-life journey of Xuanzang, a Chinese monk who traveled to India in the 7th century.
Will there be a sequel to The Monkey King 3?Yes, there will be a sequel to The Monkey King 3. The fourth installment of the franchise, titled The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven, has been announced by Cheang Pou-soi in 2019. The film will focus on Sun Wukong's rebellion in heaven before he meets Tang Sanzang.
: [The Monkey King 3 - Wikipedia]( : [Journey to the West - Wikipedia]( : [The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven - Wikipedia]( 44f88ac181
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