Visually amazing, action-packed, and laugh-out-loud funny, Ne Zha 2 turns up the dial in all ways for one absolute must see animated adventure.
Ne Zha 2 Review
In 2019 Ne Zha, inspired by the 16th century novel “Investiture of the Gods.” debuted and became a hit with moviegoers lucky enough to catch it. Its success was somewhat stunted by covid shutting down the world. Still, Ne Zha was a quirky protagonist with a feisty spirit and plenty of crude humor to spare. Which means we definitely needed to see him again. The wait is over. Ne Zha and friends are back, continuing their story while also providing a brief recap of the first film in order to get everyone up to speed. The highest-grossing animated film in history, is also going to be available for the first time in English-dub. I had the opportunity to experience it in IMAX and as a fan of anime-style storytelling and animation…it blew me away.
Ne Zha 2 explodes onto the screen with a frenzy of action-packed fight scenes, laugh-out-loud chaos, and a massive amount of heart. The first film was beautifully animated but Ne Zha 2 dials it all the way up for a visual spectacle that fills every inch of the screen. It's captivating, entertaining, and emotional. If writer-director Jiaozi (AKA Yu Yang) had managed to pare it down by about 20 mins or so I would've had zero complaints. Despite the long runtime, I still found myself invested and anxious to see what Ne Zha and Ao Bing would get into next. So all in all, I couldn't even be mad about the length of the film because I cared about the story from start to finish.
For a recap: Ne Zha (Crystal Lee) and Ao Bing (Aleks Le) were both born from two halves of the same Chaos Pearl. Ne Zha from the Demon Orb and Ao Bing from the Spirit Pearl. At the end of the first film, they lose their mortal bodies but their souls survive. Now they must share Ne Zha's temporary body until one can be built for Ao Bing. To accomplish this mission, Ne Zha must pass three demon-hunting trials in order to join the heavenly Chan sect. The catch is he can't use his demon powers which means Ao Bing must take control of the body during the fights to use his “good” powers. While the boys navigate sharing, Ne Zha's hometown, Chentang Pass, is under the threat of the demon Shen Gongbao (Daniel Riordan), who is working for Ao Bing's father, the Dragon King. The army promises to destroy the village if Ao Bing son isn't restored. What follows are multiple fights full of dragons, sea monsters, and friends turned foes.
As mentioned, viewers don't need to watch the first film in order to understand this one. It begins with a brief rundown of the main characters and all the necessary plot points and from there launches you into a fantastical world. However, if you're like me and want to watch Ne Zha, it can be streamed on sites like Peacock, The Roku Channel, and Rakuten Viki. If you do get a chance to watch it first you will be blown away by how much Ne Zha 2 dials up every aspect for a mind-blowing spectacle. From the visuals to the storyline, this sequel shows a growth and maturity that is refreshing, considering how many “children's” films choose to rinse and repeat.
In the first film, there were multiple animation styles that were fun to see but didn't add anything to the story itself. In Ne Zha 2, these varying styles blend together in a way that elevates the narrative, shaping the characters and their arcs. The traditional and modern aesthetics highlight not only the intricate details of the images but also the generational conflict between the characters – the old way vs new way of thinking. Everything is so vivid, colorful, and eye-catching that I felt at times I wasn't sure where to look. Another viewing (at least) is required to truly appreciate the artistry of this film.
But it is not just the visuals that have grown since 2019. Jiaozi has taken a Pixar approach to the story, in that Ne Zha 2 discusses adult themes but in ways that are accessible to children (and will tug at the heartstrings of their parents too). This film explores prejudice, loss, belonging, and acceptance. But don't worry, it may get emotional at times but Ne Zha is still a rambunctious little demon child. Despite the maturing of the story, there is still potty humor, slapstick comedy, and jokes only parents will understand. Jiaozi strikes the balance between quiet and loud, allowing the tender moments time to breathe before throwing in some chaos to liven things back up.
I do have to point out that the story can get a little overwhelming at times. There are a lot of characters with shifting motivations (and appearances) and for those unfamiliar with Chinese mythology, it's a lot to take in and digest. There are spells, vendettas, humanoid warriors who are actually dragons/demons, and even a major twist when it comes to the villain and their schemings. Fortunately, there is so much to take in you won't have time to really wonder about how well you're following the intricacies of the plot threads. Besides, at the end of the day, the story, at its heart, is about the relationship between Ne Zha and Ao Bing.
They represent Yin and Yang, two opposite forces that have an interconnectedness. Many films have characters that are foils to one another but in this case they are actual soulmates. Not in a dating sense, but in the fact that their souls originated from the same Chaos Pearl. They are different yet the same, both struggling to fit into the lives they were born into. For Ne Zha, he is a human boy with demon powers, rejected by everyone around him save his parents who love him dearly. While Ao Bing struggles to prove himself because he is from a demon dragon clan born of the Spirit Pearl. Unlike the first film, these two spend a lot of time together, not just because they are on the same quest but because they have to share the same body. It makes for a nice vehicle to help them understand one another and literally walk in each other's shoes.
Again the visuals help inform the story as the boys swap places in order to pass the trials set before them. When Ao Bing is present, Ne Zha's body seems slightly taller, his eyes are a different color, and he looks more at peace with the world. Whereas when Ne Zha is in the driver's seat, his eyes have massive bags under them and overall he looks ready to rip something apart with his teeth. Their fighting styles are different as well, with Ne Zha being more of a brute force, burn them up kinda fighter. While Ao Bing almost dances across the screen with an otherworldly grace. The fight scenes themselves continually outdo themselves as the film progresses. From an electricity fueled showdown to the final battle with dragons, demon hoards, and more, Ne Zha is a feast for the senses.
Verdict
Ne Zha 2 is an exciting, emotional, hilarious, and visual spectacle that is not only a must see but a must see on the biggest screen possible. I don't usually say that for animated films, but this one filled every inch of that IMAX screen with something awesome. Honestly, it's one of the best movies I've seen this year. There is a lot going on in the story, but these themes ring out with stark clarity: how to deal with loss, taking control of your destiny, and fighting for justice even when you might fail to win. These are messages conveyed in a way children will understand and adults will take to heart. It's clear Jiaozi is gearing up for more in this universe and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with for the next one.
The English version of Ne Zha 2 comes out August 22, in IMAX, 3D, and other premium formats. The film will be available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes.
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