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Gizmodo
an hour ago
- Gizmodo
‘Ne Zha II' Hype Was Undersold—It's One of the Best Animated Films of All Time
Before its upcoming U.S. rerelease, Ne Zha II—a Chinese animated film—had already made plenty of waves. Seemingly out of nowhere, it clinched the title of the highest-grossing animated film of all time. With its billion-dollar milestone marking the first time a non-Hollywood production crossed that threshold, A24's stateside theatrical and IMAX rerelease only confirms that glowing reputation: Ne Zha II isn't just a global phenomenon—it's a generational triumph. Written and directed by Jiao Zi, Ne Zha II does not ease audiences into its narrative; instead, it plunges them headfirst into a vast world of Chinese, Indian Hindu, and Buddhist mythology, filled with cosmic stakes and high-energy spectacle. Picking up after the events of the 2020 film, the sequel follows Ne Zha (Crystal Lee), a child of prophecy destined to either bring destruction to the world or serve as its savior. Alongside him is his best friend, Ao Bing (Aleks Le), another child of prophecy, who is tied to a dragon heritage. The film quickly summarizes its predecessor in the opening moments, using the urgency of a disclaimer in a drug commercial to bring audiences up to speed. In essence, Ne Zha's story revolves around the strong bond between the two boys, supported by the love of Ne Zha's parents—Lord Li Jing (Vincent Rodriguez III) and Lady Yin (Michelle Yeoh)—as well as Ne Zha's spiritual mentor, Taiyi Zhenren (Rick Zieff). Together, they guide the boys on the path of good. While the first film saw its leads rebel against fate, Ne Zha II centers on their continued coming-of-age story as Ne Zha endeavors to complete a series of insurmountable heavenly trials to become an immortal and restore the body of Ao Bing (who's currently sharing Ne Zha's) while keeping a dragon invasion at bay in the background, with Ao Bing's father, Ao Gang (Christopher Swindle) believing his son had been killed. There are numerous spinning plates in Ne Zha II's plot, but the film does enough to ensure that audiences at least grasp the broad strokes of what's happening as it introduces new mystical items and lore throughout, much like joining a JRPG raid. Despite its mythic tone, Ne Zha II doesn't shy away from irreverence. It's packed with gross-out humor common in children's films, sure, but it's also got some clever sight-gag jokes and genuinely laugh-out-loud moments from most everyone in its cast. The standout is its leading man. Ne Zha himself carries a Bart Simpson-esque 'tude with a bratty and impulsively rebellious streak throughout the film. His charm anchors the film's emotional core even as its plot rockets forward. Still, he's infectiously endearing as he navigates his sense of otherness in a story that's filled with as many resonant emotional beats as literal beat-downs. The film doesn't just deliver action; it drowns viewers in it. There's enough spectacle in Ne Zha II to constitute filling three films, let alone one, and yet it never feels gratuitous. Standout battles, be they with anthropomorphic gophers or atop bamboo shoots with lightning elementals amid a waterfall, escalate with such intensity and creativity that it's almost absurd the film doesn't charge extra for the experience. Despite being an animated film, it's by no means a bloodless affair, as typically seen in children's films. If anything, Ne Zha II is downright gnarly. Blood is spilled, stakes are felt, and victories are hard-earned, making each triumph, especially in its finale, feel revelatory. Like its speedy narration, the film seems to trust audiences of all ages to handle both its gross-out potty humor and its brutal action. Still, its fights evoke the grace of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the bombast of Asura's Wrath, with action sequences so decadent and kinetic that they make even the most elaborate video game cutscenes, such as those from Final Fantasy, League of Legends, and God of War, look tame by comparison. What's more, its action choreography is chest-pumpingly euphoric and inventive, to downright overwhelming in the best way—like watching a dual meteor shower collide in slow motion. Every frame of Ne Zha II is like a decadent painting, awe-inspiring as it is equal parts painterly and pulse-pounding. There were multiple moments when our IMAX theater audience had a common refrain of swearing under their breath as gaggles of children sat beside us, mouths agape at the sheer spectacle of eldritch and high fantasy visual splendor we were witnessing. Ne Zha II's story moves at a mile-a-minute pace, with narration even in the final act to help viewers keep up. It's exhilarating, but not without cost. Some emotional moments are swept aside too quickly, and the dub occasionally stumbles in its efforts to match lip flaps to both its comedic and serious moments. Still, performances from Yeoh, Lee, Le, and Daniel Riordan as antagonist Shen Gongbao bring enough gravitas to smooth over the film's rough edges. While the pacing occasionally rushes past the fallout of devastating battles and character deaths, the emotional beats still resonate, even if some feel like glancing blows rather than deep wounds. Ne Zha II is a cinematic rollercoaster. As a film, it's an animated epic that feels like it was willed into existence by an entire nation's artistic ambition. Emotionally vibrant, visually decadent, and spiritually rich, you feel every second of its nearly three-hour runtime, but not a moment is wasted. Ne Zha II maintains its unrelenting cinematic splendor and spectacle to its herculean finale, which virtually sends things to the stratosphere. By the time the credits roll, the film has left you breathless, as if you had witnessed a divine spectacle unfold before your eyes, and practically beckons the sensation of being sequel-baited, which it exceeds expectations in delivering. Ne Zha II returns to theaters and IMAX on August 22. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Weapons' star Amy Madigan recalls why she and Ed Harris didn't clap for Elia Kazan at 1999 Oscars: 'Nope'
The "On the Waterfront" director received an Honorary Oscar for his career, decades after he testified at the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952. Key Points Weapons star Amy Madigan explained why she and husband Ed Harris didn't clap for Elia Kazan at 1999 Oscars. "There was no way we were going to do that," Madigan said in a new interview. Kazan, who directed On the Waterfront, testified at the House Un-American Activities Committee. Weapons actress Amy Madigan is currently courting Oscar buzz for her role as Aunt Gladys in the breakout horror hit, but she's also addressing an Academy Awards controversy she was present for nearly three decades ago. Following an introduction by Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese at the 1999 Oscars, stars like Warren Beatty and Kathy Bates were shown standing to applaud On the Waterfront director Elia Kazan's acceptance of an Honorary Award from inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. However, a shot from the live broadcast showed Madigan and her husband, actor Ed Harris, looking stone-faced as they watched Kazan accept his statuette in the room. "Yeah, there was no way we were going to do that. No way," Madigan, 74, said during a recent interview with the New York Times, though the quote was not included in the final piece, and instead posted to social media by journalist Kyle Buchanan. Madigan touched on Kazan's House Un-American Activities Committee testimony in 1952 amid the blacklisting of Hollywood figures suspected of being communists during the Red Scare. "My father, who's not with us anymore, he was a political analyst and a journalist and he was working on Capitol Hill when McCarthyism was going on and it really, really affected him deeply," Madigan continued. "And yeah, that whole thing was really bringing it back to me. I was like, 'Nope.'" Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Madigan and Harris for additional comment. Kazan became a pariah in some Hollywood circles following his HUAC testimony, during which he named eight people who'd participated in Communist Party activities alongside him. In a 1997 interview with the Times, Kazan reflected on pushback he received over the years. "You want to know the truth? Not one bit," he said when asked if he was bothered by the anger against him nearly five decades after his HUAC testimony. "I've had so much praise in my life. Some of it deserved, some of it not deserved. What does it matter?'' Kazan continued, ''That whole time wasn't very nice. People were really hurt by what went on. I was part of it, I suppose. I spoke my mind and I had a right to do it.'' Though Kazan died in 2003 at 94, his Hollywood legacy lives on through his son, Matilda and Bicentennial Man writer Nicholas Kazan, and his actress granddaughters Maya (The Knick) and Zoe Kazan (Olive Kitteridge). In a recent interview with EW, Madigan additionally reflected on her Weapons success. Writer-director Zach Cregger's horror hit has earned $150 million at the global box office after only 10 days in release. "It's not that I discount it, but in this business, nothing's real till it's real," she said about the thought of returning for a sequel, comparing the buzz to chatter about her potential Oscar nod for the film. "I just had such a great time working with Zach and being inside that brain of his. That's really the gift of how the movie came out. The other stuff has to do with all sorts of conversations that I would never be privy in and business things like that. But, you know, I love Gladys, so I'll leave it at that." Weapons is now playing in theaters nationwide. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly Solve the daily Crossword
Elle
2 hours ago
- Elle
Why Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale Aren't Rushing a Wedding After 8 Years Engaged
THE RUNDOWN Actors Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale have been together for over a decade and share two children. But they tend to keep their private life pretty private. Byrne told Vanity Fair in a 2019 interview that though they've both been in high profile and beloved films and TV shows, they limit sharing personal stuff while doing press. 'I mean, [press is] not something we do all the time, but we're trying to go with the flow,' she explained. 'We're generally pretty private.' Here's what there is to know about Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale's relationship so far. According to a 2019 profile with Vanity Fair, the pair first met in the fall of 2012. Byrne was working on her hit show, Damages, and her co-star Glenn Close shared, 'The chemistry between them, it's just so remarkable,' adding that they're 'both kind of universally loved.' Rumors of their relationship started circulating, and a source told Us Weekly, 'They've been dating for a few months. I think Rose is a good match for him.' The publication shared that they'd been spotted at the Killing Them Softly after-party at No. 8 on November 26. 'They were sitting in a booth, and he had his arm around her, and they would kiss from time to time,' shared an eyewitness. 'They definitely tried to keep a low profile and left at separate times.' They made their red carpet debut in June 2013 at the CFDA Fashion Awards. A few months later, they were seen enjoying an evening at Hinoki & the Bird in Los Angeles with friends Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, who were a couple at the time. 'They were very nice and cordial,' an eyewitness told People. 'They seemed to be having a fun double date night, and Jen told the server they'll definitely be back.' The pair was seen filming Annie, released in 2014. They acted alongside one another again in Adult Beginners, attending the premiere in September 2014. In an interview with People while promoting Spy, another movie they co-starred in, Byrne said working with Cannavale is 'very intense.' '[Acting together] is a very intense thing you can experience together,' Byrne said. 'It's not for everybody, but I think he's such a great actor.' It was reported by E! that the Australian actress was expecting her first child when they published a picture of her at LAX in a dress that seemingly revealed her pregnancy. February 2016 They welcomed their son, Rocco Robin, on Feb. 1, 2016. Talking to People, Cannavale shared, 'We just love the name. His middle name is [Byrne's] dad's name, Robin, and we liked the way it rang together.' The couple was rumored to be engaged in November 2016 when Byrne was seen wearing a ring on her left hand during a trip to Australia. In a 2017 interview with InStyle, Byrne gushed about how her and Cannavale's different backgrounds have combined to make them stronger parents. 'He is one of a kind, man! He's endlessly interesting and entertaining. When something is special, it's hard to articulate it, but I feel really lucky. We couldn't be from more different parts of the world, you know?' Byrne said. She also talked about working together on Annie, Spy, and Adult Beginners. '[It's] a little bit [intention and coincidence],' she shared. 'A happy coincidence in some ways, and also, 'Let's really try to get these parts so we can be together and working.' We did, like, three projects in a row, and I enjoy collaborating with him.' In an August 2017 interview with Australia's Jones magazine, Byrne revealed she and Cannavale were expecting a second child. 'I'm a little tired but feeling good,' she said. 'Everyone was very sweet on set today, and you always get a little bit more attention when you're pregnant, which is fabulous.' Their second son, Rafael Cannavale, was born in November 2017. 'I hadn't given one of my children a Latin name yet, so I wanted to honor my mom's side of the family,' Cannavale, whose family is from Cuba, told Entertainment Tonight. 'And, you know, Rafael Nadal had such a great year, and we were constantly keeping up with him and watching all his matches so we were like, 'How about Rafa? That goes well with Rocco.' And that was it.' Byrne spoke to People about life as a mom to two boys. 'Every day, every hour, I'm like, 'What is happening?' I am learning on the job,' she said. 'I have no business telling anyone what to do. Being a mother changes everything. I feel like it informs everything I do, particularly for a job like this.' October 2019 The couple shared their Halloween with the kids in Brooklyn, posting a shot from trick-or-treating. 'Happy Halloween from the cast of Coco!' Cannavale wrote. In a joint interview with Stephen Colbert to promote their play Medea, the couple talked about married life. Colbert asked about the 'dorkiest' thing they do as a pair, and Byrne admitted, 'We go to bed pretty early, that's very dorky.' Cannavale added, 'Like 9:45.' 'It's not a crime to go to bed that early,' Byrne said. 'The kids, they just don't care that we're doing a play,' Cannavale continued. 'You come home, you can't bring anything home with you because the kids just wanna eat, they wanna play.' Of their personalities, Cannavale joked, 'We call the 2-year-old Seal Team Six 'cause he's crazy, and he's a killer. The first one, Rocco, he's very sensitive. He's always singing and dancing, and the little one is just tough.' Later that month, they celebrated the limited run of Medea at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, per Playbill. A review from Observer stated, 'Spouses in real life, [Byrne and Cannavale's] chemistry comes across onstage, and a scene where they tumble from an angry shouting match into a passionate post-divorce tryst is an inspired sequence.' In an interview with Vulture that month, the couple shared that they call each other 'husband and wife' though they had not yet tied the knot. 'I hate all the other words! It's just easier to say 'husband and wife,'' Cannavale said. ''Boyfriend and girlfriend' feels so young. 'Partner' feels so sterile.' 'What else could we say?" he asked Byrne, adding, 'My lover!' 'Sure, my lover, Bobby,' Byrne responded. 'Who gives a shit?!' Cannavale continued. 'It's just funny what people care about.' On Variety's The Big Ticket podcast, Byrne shared an update on how her family was dealing with the COVID-19 shutdown. 'Just alcohol,' she joked. 'Drugs. Porn. Listen, I feel lucky. We're safe, and we're okay, but it's scary. We have two little kids. We've just been inside, but I have friends who are working in the health care system.' October 2020 Cannavale and Byrne were seen enjoying a beach day in Byron Bay, Australia. March 2021 On InStyle's Ladies First with Laura Brown, Byrne was asked who the first person she calls is when something important happens. 'Oh, Bobby, I call Bobby,' she said. '[I can't call him now] he's always here. We're always together.' While talking to The Sydney Morning Herald in July 2021, Byrne explained why she and Cannavale still haven't said an official 'I do.' 'I keep going, 'Let's get around to it, let's do it,'' Byrne said. 'And then, you know, you have a baby, and then, oh, there's another baby. It was kind of like that for us. I love weddings, and I know people [for whom] it's an important thing, and I respect that totally. I guess for us it's just been, we didn't do it, we'll do it, then—no! Pandemic.' The couple was seen on the red carpet at the 2022 SXSW Conference & Festival in Austin, Texas for their film Seriously Red. In September 2022, Variety shared that Byrne and Cannavale were working together yet again, this time on a film titled Inappropriate Behavior with Robert De Niro, playing ex-spouses. Byrne gave People a marriage update, joking, 'I'm more married to him than anybody I've ever been with my whole life. Definitely something that we will do. We'll get around to it.' A trailer for the movie was released in March 2024, now renamed Ezra. The couple enjoyed a day at Universal Studios with their kids. That same month, they attended David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross in New York City.
