Cert 12A
119 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence
Back in the 1970s, the BBC broadcasted a children's TV programme called Monkey.
It was based on a Chinese novel, Journey To The West, which had been adapted by the Japanese and then was dubbed for British audiences.
Nowadays, people of a certain age will say how much they enjoyed the brash lead character who was part magician, part fighter,
But I just didn't get it. It was way too exotic and off-beam for my tastes.
Spin on four decades and I had exactly the same feeling about Cheang Pou-soi's Chinese film, Monkey King 2, based on the same story.
Time has moved on so this Monkey is even more flamboyant than his 1970s predecessor and the special effects are far more impressive but it still didn't light my candle.
However, I am aware that these type of movies have a substantial following and I can see why,
Aaron Kwok plays the Monkey King who is escorting a Buddist monk (Feng Shaofeng) on a vital mission to deliver holy scriptures.
In their way is the shape-shifting, white boned demon (Gong Li) who intends to eat the monk to make her immortal.
But before she picks up her chopsticks she has to deal with Monkey whose aggressive streak means he kills anyone he suspects of being a potential threat.
Interestingly, this puts him at odds with the pacifist monk who he is trying to protect.
But let's not be carried away by the nuances of the plot. Monkey King 2 is a fantasy action movie which sees our hero pitted against a CGI tiger, dragon and many others.
As said, there will be those who love it but it left me a bit cold.
Reasons to watch: the flying-through-the-air battle scenes
Reasons to avoid: the early part of the movie is quite difficult to follow
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 5/10
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