'The Monkey King' is an animated adventure of the centuries old Chinese folklore

The Legend of the Monkey King, also known as Journey to the West, is a classic and iconic tale deeply rooted in Chinese literature, culture, and mythology. It has captivated audiences for centuries and continues to be a source of inspiration for various forms of media and adaptations. 

Originating from the Ming Dynasty novel Journey to the West, written by Wu Cheng'en, the legend follows the adventures of a mischievous and powerful monkey named Sun Wukong. 

Born from a magic stone, Sun Wukong acquires incredible abilities, including shape-shifting, immortality, and extraordinary strength. His insatiable thirst for power leads him to challenge even the gods, earning him the title of 'Monkey King'.

In modern times, the Monkey King's tale has been embraced by film, television, animation, and even video games. Although it has been adapted since the 1980s, this Chinese legend hasn't reached a wider global audience. Thus, Netflix turned the legend into a children's animated film this year, with Jimmy O. Yang starring as the titular character.

The start of Son Wukong, aka The Monkey King, doesn't deviate from the original story. He is destined to be a great hero, but since birth, he has been a petulant child. The Jade Emperor, or one of the gods in Chinese mythology, grows weary of him, but Lord Buddha stops him from taking any action as he will find his destiny on his own.

The adventure of Son Wukong starts when he finds a magic staff and steals it. After acquiring the staff, he is ordered to defeat 100 demons and the antagonist Dragon King to become one of the immortals. So he embarks on a demon-hunting journey with his new sidekick, Lin.

Little does Son Wukong know that Lin tagged along with him to fulfil her selfish goal: striking a deal with his archnemesis, the Dragon King, to eradicate famine from her village. Right after Son Wukong gains immortality, he is betrayed by Lin. The Dragon King receives the staff but denies his part of the deal and plans to annihilate all living beings on land with a tsunami instead.

While the Dragon King is hatching nefarious plans, Lin has no choice but to help Son Wukong. She assists him, and the Dragon King is finally defeated. But Son Wukong has become the very one he swore to destroy, as he wants to rule the heavens. This is where Lord Buddha finally intervenes.

Son Wukong is multifaceted and relatable. Despite his supernatural abilities, he struggles with human-like flaws and desires. His journey evolves from a rebellious troublemaker to a devoted and honourable protector. This transformation resonates with readers and viewers, highlighting themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the potential for change.

The Monkey King is a great children's film about accepting one's flaws and changing for one's own good. This film doesn't convey the essence of the original works as it mainly focuses on Son Wukong's battle with the demons, has less room for character development, and becomes kind of one-dimensional. Still, it is a good enough introduction to the richness of Chinese literature and its wise teachings.

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