Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back

Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back is a 2017 Chinese fantasy-adventure film based on the classic 16th-century novel, Journey to the West. The film tells the tale of Tang Monk and his three disciples as they embark on a perilous journey to the west. Directed by Tsui Hark and written, produced by novelist and filmmaker Stephen Chow, the film is filled with magical high-jinks, mythical creatures, and formidable foes that the team must outwit and overcome.

The film begins with the young monk Tang Seng (Kris Wu) being sent on a mission by the emperor. He is accompanied by his three disciples, the Monkey King Sun Wukong (Kenny Lin), Piggy Zhu Bajie (Yang Yiwei), and the river ogre Sha Wujing (Mengke Bateer). Together, they set out on an arduous journey into unknown territories fraught with danger and peculiar events.

Even though Tang has control over them using a magical band, their contrasting personalities often result in comedic moments. Tang Seng is naive and lives in a world filled with kindness and compassion. Sun Wukong, known as the Monkey King, is mischievous and reckless, while Zhu Bajie is lazy and lustful, and Sha Wujing, despite looking fierce, lacks courage.

As the journey progresses, each character is forced to confront their fears and weaknesses. Tang, despite possessing great power, often struggles with the violent methods of his disciples. Sun Wukong, on the other hand, fights his inner battles, pitting his rebellious nature against the loyalty he must show to Tang. This film explores the subject of enlightenment and everyone's struggle to achieve it through the path of trials and tribulation.

The Demons Strike Back is a visual feast filled with spectacular battles against mythical creatures. The movie excels in presenting imaginative landscapes, painting a vivid and colorful picture of the mythical East. The unique and larger-than-life characters, combined with the high-octane action sequences, special effects, and innovative CGI come together to weave a story that is both visually impressive and enjoyably thrilling.

The film builds on the mythological setting with combination of comedy, which may seem out-of-the-blue, but balances the serious undertones and themes. Elements of classic Chinese legends, folklore and morality tales are interspersed throughout the narrative. Each encounter with a new villainous creature tests not only the physical strength but also the moral character of Tang and his disciples. In between the moments of adventure and danger, the film finds pockets of humor and comic relief that further enrich the narrative.

Kris Wu breathes life into Tang, his gentle nature contrasting sharply with his powerful abilities. His interactions with his rambunctious disciples, especially the brash and rebellious Monkey King Sun Wukong played effortlessly by Kenny Lin, gives the film a heart. The other members of the team, as played by Yang Yiwei and Mengke Bateer, are equally compelling, each bringing their unique personality traits into play.

If there's a larger theme in Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back, it's the motif of transformation - physical, mental, and spiritual. Each character starts their journey weighted by their faults but as they face their individual trials on the journey, they also grow and transform. As the characters metamorphize, so does their relationship with each other, evolving from mere travel companions to becoming a family.

In summary, Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back is a powerhouse of a fantasy-adventure film. Its strengths lie in its larger-than-life characters, engaging story, creative visual effects and action sequences, and the seamless blend of comedy with drama. It provides a modern interpretation to the classic tale of Journey to the West and delivers a compelling narrative that will have audiences hooked from start to finish.