In 2019, the charming Chinese animated fantasy "Ne Zha" captured audiences with its story of a mischievous young demon and a noble dragon prince who transition from foes to friends. This delightful film quickly became the highest-grossing animated movie in China. Although there were some imitators and a spinoff that came afterward, none could replicate the perfect blend of playful humor, breathtaking action, and character-focused storytelling that made the original so special.
This year, "Ne Zha 2" has taken over China's usually fierce Lunar New Year weekend, becoming the highest-grossing film in the mainland's history. In New York City, it's showing multiple times a day, and during yesterday's matinee in Times Square, the audience was incredibly engaged. It's easy to see why: this sequel, featuring battles among dragons, gods, humans, and sea monsters, retains the charm of the original "Ne Zha," especially with its emphasis on the characters' emotional drives. "Ne Zha 2" stands out as a sequel that enhances both its action and emotional depth while keeping the elements that made the first film a hit. It's also a unique blockbuster that appeals to a diverse audience.
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Focusing on the human emotions at the core of “Ne Zha 2” is quite a challenge, especially considering its extensive source material, the two-volume mythological tale The Investiture of the Gods. Similar to the various adaptations of “Journey to the West” that have come before, this film, along with a few others inspired by The Investiture of the Gods—like the recent “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force”—boasts a multitude of main and supporting characters, each with intricate backstories and complex social dynamics. Fortunately, the adventures of the brash demon child Ne Zha (Yanting Lü) and his valiant dragon prince friend Ao Bing (Mo Han) are engaging and easy to follow. While it might be beneficial to have seen the first “Ne Zha” before diving into “Ne Zha 2,” newcomers can still grasp the storyline without prior knowledge.
1. Everyone is picking up the pieces from "Ne Zha" as "Ne Zha 2" begins. Take a deep breath. A fierce conflict erupts between the courageous human inhabitants of Chentang Pass and the dragon rulers of the four seas, but it resolves quickly. Ne Zha’s parents, Lady Yin (Qi Lü) and Li Jing (Hao Chen), strive to maintain harmony while their son heads to Yu Xu Palace to pursue immortality, which will allow him to obtain a magical elixir to heal Ao Bing after the events of the previous film. Exhale slowly.
Ne Zha hasn't changed much since the first film. He remains a lonely and immature child, still unaware of his own strength and longing to play shuttlecock with his parents. Ao Bing is incredibly important to Ne Zha, not only because they are two halves of the same supernatural being (the Chaos Pearl) but also due to the bond they formed in the previous movie. Together, they stumble upon a conspiracy that sets the unpredictable dragon kings and queen against the seemingly kind Chan Sect immortals of Yu Xu Palace, primarily represented by the baby-faced god Wuliang (Deshun Wang).
Writer and director Yu Yang returns for this sequel, keeping the story grounded with small moments that highlight the significance of family, not just for Ne Zha and Ao Bing, but also for their extensive circle of friends and enemies. Even supporting characters like the grumpy demon Sheng Gongbao (Wei Yang) have moments that showcase their deep desire to protect or please their loved ones. This adds depth to a mythological action-adventure filled with epic battles and plenty of humor, including jokes about pee, poop, and puke, reflecting Ne Zha's ongoing journey of growing up.
The potty humor is consistently outrageous, even if it doesn't always hit the mark for big laughs. While some subplots could use a bit more development, the action sequences shine as a fantastic display for both the animation team and Yu, highlighting both immediate thrills and character insights. Even the silliest creatures—like the burly, trident-holding shark—move with a charming cartoonish grace that gives this high-budget animation the feel of being crafted by passionate animators rather than a committee.
In "Ne Zha 2," everything may appear grander, but it remains a lively, fun-filled kids' film about a gap-toothed demon boy who ponders whether immortals have to poop when he’s not busy tearing apart the heavens. A sequel is on the way, and hopefully, it will continue to bring more of the same delightful experience.
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