Ne Zha II
A young boy (Yanting Lü) of human parentage yet blessed with monumental powers must learn to control them to thwart an ancient force intent on wiping out humanity in "Ne Zha II."
Laura's Review: B
After breaking records in its native China and globally with $2.2 billion in ticket sales, "Ne Zha II" is being presented in an English dubbed version for the first time. Perhaps it would have helped to have seen "Ne Zha" first, because this sequel is a lot like the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its overly complex mythology, overly extended climax, a run time in excess of 2 hours and even a post credit scene. During the first twenty to thirty minutes of this film, it is difficult to decipher what is going on with so many characters in so many states within a bizarre world of gods, demons and humans perhaps more familiar in Chinese culture. Yet the animation is so stunning, the character definitions, which include turtle, octopus and shark warriors, so unique, and their environments from incredibly realistic oceans to a translucent jade palace, so breathtaking, that one is never bored.
Apparently picking up directly from the end of "Ne Zha," Ne Zha and his 'friend-who-should-be-an-enemy' Ao Bing (voice of Aleks Le), reincarnations of the Demon Orb and the Pure Spirit Pearl respectively, were left robbed of their physical bodies and now Master Taiyi (voice of Rick Zieff) has engaged the Sacred Lotus to conjure up new ones, but they take time to gain strength. But when Ne Zha's home is attacked by demons sent by the Dragon King of the East Sea. Ao Bing's father Ao Guang (voice of Christopher Swindle) who mistakenly thinks his son was killed, Ao Bing immediately loses his new form defending it and so his master, Shen Gongbao (voice of Daniel Riordan), suggests Ao Bing share Ne Zha's as he leaves for the jade palace of the immortals to complete three trials to gain the elixir which will restore Ao Bing and render them immortal. And that's just the beginning.
From the outset, the two friends are distinguished by their appearance, Ne Zha resembling a little boy with a 'pig nose,' bags under his eyes and a missing tooth while Ao Bing is tall and elegant, like an elf from LOTR with small antlers on his forehead. Ne Zha resents this, but when he takes a sleeping pill Master Taiyi gives him so Ao Bing may take over his body, although he remains small, his appearance changes dramatically, along with a notable increase in his physical strength, something noted by Immortal Wuliang's (voice of Will Utay) right hand, who accompanies him and his Master as Ne Zha tackles his three trials. During those trials Ne Zha will meet Shen Gongbao's younger brother Shen Xiaobao (voice of Adyn Ahn), struggling with is own identity as a cat trying to appear in human form, and their father, the task master of the second trial. But when Ne Zha learns that Chentang Pass has been attacked again, his rage powers him through the third trial on his own and several characters will learn of unimaginable betrayals, an unexpected character manipulating all.
If one becomes confounded by Adamantium, the Tesseract and the Infinity Gauntlet, "Ne Zha II" also throws multiple objects like the Sacred Lotus, the Sky-Splitting Thunder Whip and magic pills at us in quick succession. Like the MCU, the Chinese animation also features humor, although Ne Zha's bratty persona ensures quite a bit of it is inspired by pee, vomit and excrement. Family, too, is of great importance here, Ne Zha's human general father Lord Jin (voice of Vincent Rodriguez III) and mother Lady Yin (voice of Michelle Yeoh) his motivation, just as he thwarts the killing of Xiaobao after seeing him protect his own father. As in all superhero tales, good and evil are paramount, Ne Zha himself a misunderstood demon.
Writer/director Jiao Zi took on an enormous technical task with this film, utilizing well over one hundred animation companies, and the result should be seen on an IMAX screen. While its story may be dense, especially for those coming into it without having seen its predecessor, its themes are universal and its images are eye popping.
A24 released "NE ZHA II" in theaters on 2/14/25. It is being rereleased on 8/22/25.
