Movie Review: JOURNEY TO THE WEST CONQUERING THE DEMONS

"If you're in a bad mood, this is the best film to cheer you up"_Show Luo (Prince Important) once released this statement post the movie released. I completely agree with him. Do you want to know the reason why? Well, let me explain today, I am going to discuss about one fabulous movie called "Journey to the West conquering the demons", its Cantonese movie was also released in Mainland China, directed by Stephen Chow. Let us quickly go through plot.

The official movie poster

PLOT:

 The story of this movie revolves around Chen Xuan Zhang an unshaven Buddhist monk, professional demon hunter and kind heart spirit and his relationship with three demons which are Water demon, Pig Demon and Monkey King (happens to be the most powerful demon among these three).

The film opens with Chen Xuan Zhang struggling to capture Water demon, after it kills hundreds of people in the village. With the force and unity people manage to capture the demon, and it turns into human form. Chen Xuang Zhang picks up his "300 Nursery rhymes book" and begins to sing with only intention to bring out the goodness. But the Water demon eventually, gets irritated while attacking him, Miss Duan captures him in her cloth turning into puppet. Although Miss Duan scoffs at his Zhang's funny attempts, he does not give up on Nursery rhymes and declares his faith towards greater love. 

In a contrary, Miss Duan wants to persuade Zhang for making love with physical intimacy but his refusal drives her to frustration. Zhang has secret admiration towards Miss Duan, he would never want to express because, he is in a duty to search Sun Wukong who is imprisoned beneath mountains for 500 years due to the tiff which took place between him and Buddha. Zhang seeks help from Sun Wukong to capture Pig Demon under full moonlight, as soon as he succeeds, Zhang without realization he plucks the Lotus flower on the mountain and with the source of moon light reflection on him, he flees to escape from mountains and posses as Monkey King in front of Zhang. 

In order to destroy Monkey King, Prince Important, Prince nameless and Almighty foot (The three ancient demon hunters) arrive at the spot, but Monkey King's power dominates over them and shatters those three into ashes. Even Miss Duan fails to destroy him, that leads to her death. When she dies, Zhang confesses his love and bursts into tears. With the strong faith towards goodness Zhang folds his palms and chants Buddha sutras. The nature finally takes it courses, destroys Monkey King and transforms him into human.

Thus Zhang, KL Hog, Sun Wukong and water demon decide to embark to India in search of Buddha scriptures, while Zhang understanding the difference between greater and lesser love, he is enlightened and walks on his path. 

Review:

 Although this is Stephen Chow's movie, but it comes with total surprise due to his absence. So far, whatever films he directed he never failed to appear himself as a hero, but this movie is bit disappointing for Stephen Chow fans because, we are going to miss him. However, his presence was truly felt among the star cast. For example, when Chen Xuan Zhang recites Nursery Rhymes poems in front of Water demon, it made me feel like I was watching Stephen Chow in there. The expressions of every actor was been greatly influenced by him that wouldn't certainly make us feel like he does not exist on screen. 

Stephen Chow as usually, did not fail to deliver the great entertainment after King of Comedy, CJ7, Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu hustle. This movie brings complete package of hardcore visual effects in it. The computer generated imagery of Water demon, animated model of Pig Demon and prosthetic (special effect technique) of Monkey King were worthwhile to captivate people attention. 

Stephen Chow is famously known to be deeply in love with graphics, action and comedy. That is why, even though the plot seems serious enough, but the comedy which generates in few scenes were really not awkward it instant produces humor among every one of us and makes the story line relief from sharp tension. Miss Duan's magic heirloom ring which shifts into different sizes, multiplies and destroys demons into ashes was a great show to watch. 

Post watching this film, I watched the making of the movie, and I observed Stephen Chow's undying determination. He wanted to make every scene perfect and does not hesitate to retake any single shot around 100 times if things don't reach to his expectation. 

Image Courtesy: www.mtime.com

Show Luo's performance comes up with total surprise as Prince Important. Personally, this is my favorite character because it generates extreme humor. He seems vulnerable, pretentious to be strong and claims to be different among every demon hunter. The last scene of his sword play performance clearly resembled the climax part of Kung Fu Hustle movie. 

Image Courtesy: www.mtime.com

Overall, the show was splendid, if any one of you is willing to watch a movie which has adventure, action, comedy and fantasy then I would suggest going for it. Trust me you won't regret... One final note, Stephen Chow I love you loads ;)