The Monkey King 2 Blu-ray Review

Well Go USA’s Blu-ray presentation of "The Monkey King 2" is a visually captivating experience, thanks to an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Utilizing the Red Epic camera and a 2K digital intermediate (DI), the imagery is predominantly stunning. The film’s blend of practical set designs and extensive CGI is seamlessly integrated, affording a strikingly organic visual style. Colors are remarkably vivid, with Sha's cobalt blue skin and Sun’s orange-yellow fur exemplifying the vibrant palette. Fine details such as makeup and prosthetics are meticulously rendered, although occasional softness and less convincing CGI elements do emerge.

The digitally sourced 2.35:1 1080p transfer maintains impressive clarity and sharpness throughout. Colors favor warmer golden tones, with primary colors exhibiting lush vibrancy. Black levels are deep and inky, providing excellent shadow separation and adding a three-dimensional effect to visual compositions. Notably, the transfer tends to possess an in-your-face quality owing to its original 3D design. This sometimes leads to foreground objects hovering distinctly against slightly blurred backgrounds in 2D, though this is not overly distracting. Although some motion blur is detectable during action scenes involving practical effects and CGI with dynamic camerawork, it minimally detracts from the overall quality.

Despite the lack of a 3D option, which would better showcase the film’s intended visual impact, "The Monkey King 2" still delivers a largely beautiful visual presentation in its 2D Blu-ray format.

The audio presentation of "The Monkey King 2" on Blu Ray impresses with its Cantonese Dolby Atmos track, noted for its immersive and dynamic soundscape. The film features both Cantonese and Mandarin tracks, but the highlight is the Cantonese Atmos mix. This track offers an auditory experience that consistently draws the viewer into the action-packed sequences. Whether it's the Monkey King’s rapid movements or the ethereal web spun by the White Bone Demon, the surround sound effects are finely placed, enhancing the storytelling. Dialogue clarity is impeccable and seamlessly integrated into the overall soundfield, ensuring clean and trouble-free delivery.

Even when scaled back to DTS-HD MA 7.1, the audio remains beautifully immersive. Dynamic surround effects during intense battles, such as those involving tigers and dragons, are gloriously precise and balanced against the background score and dialogues. The engaging atmospherics ensure that quieter scenes retain a vivid sense of space and activity. Imaging is particularly effective with continuous channel movement contributing to a lush auditory environment. Although other audio options like the Mandarin DTS-HD MA 5.1 and Cantonese Dolby True-HD 2.0 mixes are available, they do not match the depth and richness of the Cantonese Dolby Atmos track, which truly stands out as the preferred choice for a full auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Monkey King 2" provide a compact yet insightful look into the film's production. The "Making Of" series, though brief, offers engaging Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) for key characters and themes, including costuming, makeup, and digital effects. These segments serve as a rapid yet informative dive into the film's intricate production processes, however, the brevity may leave enthusiasts yearning for more in-depth content. Additionally, a high-definition trailer is included, faithfully presenting the film's visual grandeur. The disc is user-friendly, with all supplements playing sequentially and seamlessly transitioning to trailers for other Well Go USA releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Monkey King: Focus on the main character's development.
• The Monk: Insights into portraying the monk.
• Bajie: Character information about Bajie.
• Wujin: Behind-the-scenes on Wujin.
• A New World: Examination of setting creation and digital effects.
• Trailer: High-definition trailer showcasing the film’s highlights.

"The Monkey King 2," directed by Cheang Pou-soi, continues the narrative from "The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven's Palace," loosely based on the 16th-century Chinese novel "Journey to the West." This sequel follows Tang Seng (William Feng), who frees Sun Wukong (Aaron Kwok) from imprisonment under a mountain after being attacked by a giant white tiger. Bound by a prophecy revealed by the Mercy Goddess (Kelly Chen), the duo is joined by Zhu Bajie (Xiao Shen Yang), a pig demon, and Sha Wujing (Him Law), a blue-skinned genie, to retrieve sacred Buddhist texts. Their journey is hindered by the White Bone Demon (Gong Li), echoing the dynamic of the Wicked Witch of the West.

"The Monkey King 2" excels in visual and cinematic elements with impressive CGI and production design that crafts a surreal alternate universe. The film's whirlwind energy is characterized by rapid action sequences, which can sometimes create a sense of chaos, especially for viewers not conversant with the intricacies of the source material or the events of the preceding film. Nevertheless, Aaron Kwok’s dynamic portrayal of Sun Wukong combines physical prowess and a quasi-feral charm, while Feng’s Tang Seng is a determined, albeit timid, monk endeavoring to normalize an outlandish series of adventures.

Despite its complexity and occasional narrative confusion for new viewers, "The Monkey King 2" remains an entertaining fantasy epic infused with a blend of folklore and modern cinematic flair. While the film was shot in 3D, the Blu-ray release only offers a 2D version; however, the vibrant and often astonishing visuals ensure an engaging experience. With its emphasis on spectacle and capricious energy reminiscent of Stephen Chow’s works, "The Monkey King 2" ultimately provides a captivating and lighthearted take on classic Chinese mythology.

"The Monkey King 2" delivers a dynamic and engaging viewing experience characterized by its energetic pace and striking visual effects. This film, a sequel to "The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven's Palace," shines with its stunning production values that rival the grandeur of Hollywood blockbusters. The vibrant color palette and meticulous attention to CGI detail highlight the enormous effort put into the film’s aesthetic presentation. The narrative can be somewhat perplexing at times, and having prior exposure to the first installment may help clarify certain plot points, but this does not hinder the film’s overall entertainment value.

Technically, the Blu-ray release of "The Monkey King 2" is nothing short of impressive. The audio-visual quality is exceptional, ensuring that viewers are immersed in the fantastical world depicted. The high definition visuals boast sharp detail and brilliant color saturation, while the sound design offers a robust and dynamic auditory experience. However, it should be noted that the array of bonus features is limited, which may be disappointing for those who enjoy extensive behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, "The Monkey King 2" is a visually spectacular film that compensates for its occasional narrative inconsistencies with high energy and creative excitement. Its technical merits on Blu-ray make it a worthwhile addition to any collection, especially for enthusiasts of epic fantasy and high-quality cinematic experiences. While it might serve fans best, its sheer enjoyment factor ensures that Recommended status is well-deserved.