A cinematic fireball of epic proportions and rich mythology
Here’s a couple movie tidbits to know before your next trivia night: 1) the highest grossing animated film of all time is Ne Zha 2; and 2) the highest grossing non-English language film of all time is, you guessed it, Ne Zha 2. With a global haul of over $2.1 billion and counting, this box office record-buster is a Chinese animated sequel to a 2019 animated movie about a popular Chinese mythological figure and humanity’s deity/demon protector, Nezha. The Ne Zha films are directed by Jiaozi and developed and produced through his production company, Chengdu Coco Cartoon. Now, after setting international box office records and following a short stint in a few North American theaters in February, Ne Zha 2 takes aim at American audiences with an English-dubbed version in theaters. Despite its complex plot and intimidating mythological context, its stunning visuals and epic scale more than earn its theatrical experience.
The Ne Zha films take place in a beautifully realized fantastical region of ancient China during the Shang Dynasty, and the sequel must be seen after viewing the first one to understand the full scope of characters and mythological context. Ne Zha 2 begins with a quick recap, about how the Demon Orb was infused into Lady Yin’s pregnancy to create the demon reincarnation, Ne Zha, while his antithesis, the Spirit Pearl, was stolen and infused with the Dragon King’s egg to birth the reincarnation, Ao Bing. Are you still following? Needless to say, the quick recap doesn’t do the first film’s artistry and story any justice. Watch Ne Zha to set yourself up with the stakes and setting, because Ne Zha 2 is exponentially more grandiose, in story and spectacle, a visual masterpiece with an abundance of adventure and emotion.
Lending their voices to the A24 distributed English-dubbed version of Ne Zha 2 are Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Vincent Rodriguez III (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), and a handful of other accomplished voice actors. At just under two-and-a-half hours, Ne Zha 2 will test restless children’s patience, and reading subtitles would add another challenging layer, so A24 is making a bet that patience is a more common trait than extensive reading (at the theater, that is). Unfortunately, there’s a cultural specificity to the Chinese humor and protracted character emotions that are partially lost in translation. In addition, the mythological and folkloric details may go over American audience’s heads, but that doesn’t take away from the mesmerizing joy and animated craftsmanship on screen.
Ne Zha 2 ups the ante in every facet from the first film. Epic visuals featuring hordes of various battling creatures, dragons, and deities, a soaring musical score, and a deep emotional arc set Ne Zha 2 apart from many of its contemporaries. The weight of massive spheres colliding into the ground, waves of flying soldiers zooming into battle, and even the unified head turns of thousands of demon marmot thieves (by far one of the most fun scenes in recent animated films), are all superbly and delicately animated. Ne Zha 2 feels bigger, grander, and yes, longer than your average animated fare. At times, the film is hard to follow; it’s filled with immortals and gods, masters and apprentices, competing magical entities vs legendary fighters, and flip-flopping allegiances to boot. Ne Zha 2’s complexities can be a heavy burden for children. Going to watch Ne Zha 2 cold is the equivalent of seeing Avengers: Endgame without having watched any of the ~20 films leading up to it. Luckily, there’s just one previous Ne Zha to catch up on.
By the time you read this review, Ne Zha 2 may have moved up to the fourth spot on the list of highest grossing films (global box office) of all time, ahead of Titanic. With powerful messages of breaking through authoritarian barriers (a surprisingly subversive theme for a Chinese production), and staying faithful to one’s chosen identity while not allowing fate or magic to intervene, Ne Zha 2 hits many tried-and-true emotional notes. Emotions and spectacle aside, did I mention the demon marmot thieves?
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Ne Zha 2 opens in theaters on Friday, August 22nd.
