Monkey King: Hero Is Back
A 2015 Chinese animated fantasy adventure film.
Monkey King: Hero Is Back, a 2015 Chinese computer-animated fantasy adventure, marked Tian Xiaopeng's directorial debut. It held the record as China's top-grossing animated film until Zootopia and Kung Fu Panda 3 overtook it in 2016. A prequel, Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven, is currently in the works.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Tian Xiaopeng
- Producer
- Jiang Hui
- Liu Zhijiang
- Lin Zhonglun
- Yang Dan
- Wang Weiming
- Based on
- Journey to the West, Wu Cheng'en
- Music
- Florian Linckus; Wong Ying-Wah
- Distributor
- United Entertainment Partners, Maruti Enterprise (South Asia)
- Released
- 10 July 2015
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- Country
- China
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The Monkey King, Sun Wukong, is imprisoned by the Buddha in an ice cage deep in the mountains for rebelling against Heaven. Five hundred years later, Mountain Trolls attack travelers, killing all but a baby boy named Liuer, who is adopted by a monk after floating down a river in a basket. Years later, the trolls invade a village and kidnap 49 children. Liuer saves a baby girl and is chased into the cave where the Monkey King is trapped, unknowingly releasing him. Sun Wukong defeats the trolls but can only use physical attacks, as a remnant of Buddha's seal prevents his magical powers and causes pain when he tries to harness them. Liuer and the girl pester Wukong with questions; when Liuer asks if the god Nezha is a boy or a girl, Wukong answers "a girl. A stone monster created by Buddha attacks them, but Liuer undoes its spell and falls off a cliff, only to be saved by Wukong. A white dragon attacks but is scared off. At an inn, trolls in disguise try to kidnap the baby, and more trolls arrive; Wukong fights them. The monster leader Hun Dun defeats Wukong and captures the girl.
Reception
The film opened with 17.99 million CNY in China, landing in third place. Strong reviews and buzz pushed its single-day earnings to a peak of 65.87 million CNY, taking the top spot. It ended its run with 957 million CNY, ranking as China's seventh highest-grossing film of 2015 and the top animated film there until Zootopia and Kung Fu Panda 3 overtook it the next year.
Other media
On October 17, 2019, a video game adaptation of the film launched for PlayStation 4, created by HexaDrive with help from Japan Studio. Sony Interactive Entertainment handled publishing in Asia, while THQ Nordic managed the international release; a Windows version from Oasis Games came out the same day. Players take on the role of Sun Wukong (called Dasheng in the English dub), leading Liuer and Pigsy to fight Mountain Trolls and other monsters, rescuing kidnapped children from the demon king Hun Dun. Spells are unlocked through statues of Guanyin, and various weapons are used in battle. Two DLC packs were released: Mind Palace, set inside Wukong’s sealed mind, and Uproar in Heaven, occurring before the main story. The film also crosses over with Ne Zha and Jiang Ziya in commercials.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Monkey King: Hero Is Back released?
Monkey King: Hero Is Back was released on 10 July 2015.
Who composed the music for Monkey King: Hero Is Back?
The music for Monkey King: Hero Is Back was composed by Florian Linckus and Wong Ying-Wah.
How long is Monkey King: Hero Is Back?
Monkey King: Hero Is Back has a running time of 90 minutes.
How much did Monkey King: Hero Is Back earn at the box office?
Monkey King: Hero Is Back grossed US$153 million.
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