Indeed, the near-Divine retain such popularity with Chinese ticket buyers, this animated sequel smashed global box-office records. The Heavens will shake, but Western animation fans will not fully share the adoration for director-screenwriter Jiaozi\u2019s Ne Zha II<\/strong>, which re-releases with a new English dub track this Friday in theaters. Sort of like a Chinese Romulus and Remus, Ne Zha and Ao Bing were born out of the all-consuming Chaos Pearl, whose power nearly destroyed Heaven and Earth. To avert catastrophe, it was split into the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb, out of which Ne Zha and Ao Bing were born, in human form, to mortal and dragon parents\u2014or something like that. Just remember their origins are closely linked. At this point, Jiaozi is only getting started. There are roughly two hectic hours of further Heavenly intrigue left to go in the film. Yet, throughout it all, Ne Zhe\u2019s reckless fighting spirit will feel like Deja vu to anyone who has watched more than one Monkey King<\/strong> adaptation in recent years. If you like the review, share yopur thoughts below!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
Just as The Monkey King originated in Journey to the West<\/strong><\/a>, the popular heroic conception of Ne Zha sprang forth from the pages of the Ming Dynasty novel Investiture of the Gods<\/strong><\/a> (ascribed to either Xu Zhonglin or Lu Xixing). However, if you are well acquainted with that 100-chapter tome, try to forget it during Jiaozi\u2019s film.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ne-Zha3.png\")
\u00a9Courtesy of A24<\/p>\r\n
At the end of the first film, Ne Zha and Ao Bing recombined to foil the curse placed on the Demon Orb\u2019s spawn, but it took a great physical toll. Hence, the sequel finds them both commencing the ceremony of rebirth, when the dragons suddenly attack. Inconveniently, Ao Bing\u2019s flimsy new body and the regenerative Sacred Lotus are damaged in the resulting battle, so his spirit must take refuge, cohabitating inside Na Zha\u2019s body, for the next seven days.
To restore the Lotus, they need a healing elixir from the Chan Sect, who rule the Heavenly domain. However, before claiming the elixir, Ne Zha must first attain immortality, by completing three heroic missions\u2014you could almost describe them as Herculean. Not surprisingly, his body performs at a much higher level when he allows Ao Bing sole control, but the impulsive Ne Zha has difficulty letting go.<\/p>\r\n![\"Ne](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ne-Zha2.png\")
\u00a9Courtesy of A24<\/p>\r\n
Granted, Jiaozi and the animation team created some memorable visuals, especially when Ne Zha battles a tribe of marmot demons, who are bizarrely cute. Frankly, many viewers will root for the marmots. Nevertheless, most of the fantastical and cosmic elements have ample precedents. Fortunately, the film\u2019s high energy-level does not allow the audience much time to contemplate where they have seen it all before.
Indeed, Ne Zha II<\/strong> boasts plenty of silly gags and epic battles, but beyond the impetuous Ne Zha, most of the characters have little to distinguish themselves, including Ao Bing, who is blandly cerebral and reserved, to a fault. The most dignified-sounding vocal performances come from Vincent Rodriguez III and the great Michelle Yeoh, as Ne Zha\u2019s warrior-parents, Li Jing and Lady Yin, but their characters are frustratingly wooden, even when they are not literally magically petrified for their own protection. In contrast, Rick Zeiff\u2019s shticky, over-the-top voice-overs for Taiyi Zhenren, Ne Zha\u2019 teacher, spiritual advisor, and designated comic relief, quickly grow tiresome.
Frankly, characterization represents the film\u2019s greatest weakness, perhaps by design, as befits the ostensibly collectivist nature of the ideology governing its country of origin. Eventually, the film builds into a grand cosmic battle, in which the opposing armies coalesce into giant aggregated waves, that swirl and crash into each other. It becomes a meaningless blur to viewers, because it entirely lacks human scale. Yet, in a way, it serves as a perfect metaphor for the film.
Frustratingly, the film\u2019s best scene comes in the form of a mid-closing credits stinger, which delivers amusing slapstick comedy out of its clever set-up. Arguably, it is the most original scene in the entire film\u2014and it takes nearly two and a half hours to reach it.
Still, a lot of effort and expense went into Ne Zha II<\/strong>, as the audience can easily see on the screen. Yet, there will be at least a dozen anime features released this year in Japan that are more inventive and emotionally engaging. Yes, this film grossed over $2 billion worldwide, but the overwhelming lion\u2019s share came from China, which box-office commentators should duly note, largely remains a closed market, protected from international releases. The simple truth is Ne Zha II<\/strong> fails to live up to its hype, when it re-releases this Friday (8\/22) in theaters.
Grade: C-<\/p>\r\n