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The Independent
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Setting the story of Nezha to music
Since its domestic debut on 29 January, Ne Zha 2 — loosely inspired by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods) — has quickly shattered global box office records, becoming the fifth highest-grossing movie in global cinema history. Born to an unfair fate, Nezha is destined to die at the age of 3 as a result of a heavenly punishment caused by a curse. However, with the help of his close friend Ao Bing — the son of a dragon king who guards thousands of imprisoned monsters in the roaring sea — he bravely defies his doom. The movie's character theme song Ne Zha is also attracting a legion of fans. To best show the spirit of Nezha, the song's singer and songwriter Tang Hanxiao mixed the sounds of Chinese traditional instruments, especially that of suona (a traditional Chinese woodwind instrument). Watch this video to find out more.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Ne Zha 2' movie review: Breathtaking Chinese epic is a mythic reckoning of stupendous scale
In Ne Zha 2, the demon child is back, and this time, he's already eaten Pixar for breakfast. Chinese director Jiao Zi returns to his animated juggernaut with a sequel so overstuffed and committed to outdoing itself that it might as well have come with a motion sickness warning. That it also contains some of the most emotionally sincere storytelling this side of a Ghibli tearjerker makes it one of the year's strangest and most strangely moving cinematic experiences. Ne Zha 2 is now the fifth highest-grossing film of all time, and the biggest animated film ever globally, having knocked Inside Out 2 off its comfortable pedestal with the casual ease of a child-god smashing a mountain (which, incidentally, happens here). That kind of box office flex would be enough to earn Jiao Zi a seat at Mount Cameron, right next to the king of the world himself. But Jiao Zi clearly isn't just here to cash cheques. He's made something that feels mythic in every sense — a staggering cinematic achievement that swings for the heavens with the ferocity of a fire-wielding demi-god and the precision of a legendary storyteller. Ne Zha 2 (Mandarin) Director: Jiaozi Cast: Lü Yanting, Han Mo, Lu Qi, Zhang Jiaming, Wang Deshun, Zhuo Yongxi Runtime: 144 minutes Storyline: After the catastrophe, although the souls of Ne Zha and Ao Bing were saved, their bodies would soon be shattered. Taiyi Zhenren planned to use the seven-colored lotus to rebuild their bodies For those uninitiated into the lore, the film does try to catch you up. The sacred Chaos Pearl split in two, the resurrection of two mythical boys from lotus paste, the city of Chentang Pass under siege, and an intergenerational celestial beef between dragons, demons and gods — all this is delivered in an early burst of exposition that feels like someone set Xu Zhonglin's Investiture of the Gods on fire and tried to tell you the plot before the smoke cleared. But even if the mythology occasionally overwhelms, the core is still crystal clear: a fierce, messy, stubborn devotion between Ne Zha, the demon child, and Ao Bing, his noble dragon counterpart. The crux of the story is simple enough: Ao Bing's soul is fading, and Ne Zha will tear heaven itself apart to save him, despite Ao Bing now occupying Ne Zha's body like a spectral roommate. What makes Ne Zha 2 so compelling, and frankly, so weird, is its high art/lowbrow tonal whiplash. The film careens between sequences of stunning, almost spiritual beauty and scenes where characters slurp down urine-infused tea with a surprising degree of finesse. But there's something exhilarating about the scale of the thing. Chengdu Coco Cartoon reportedly employed over 4,000 workers to produce the film, and their labour is etched into every shimmering water droplet rendered like liquid glass, and every theatre-shaking explosion of molten gold. When dragons burst from rips in the sky or armies clash mid-air, even an IMAX screen starts to feel like it's about to burst at the seams. The grand final act of a polychromatic war waged on a gargantuan floating cauldron is animated cinema at its most maximalist. And yet, Ne Zha 2 is also grounded by a surprising tenderness. Jiao Zi is smart enough to know that myth without heart is just noise, and so he threads little tearjerkers into the bombast, like a mother suffering a hundred needles to hug her son goodbye, and the world's greatest dragon dad breaking the cycle of burden for his son. Even the villains, like the disgraced immortal Shen Gongbao, are granted moments of grief and regret. These flashes of humanity amid the divine fireworks make the film resonate more deeply than it has any right to. But most importantly, Ne Zha 2's critique of Western imperialism feels incandescent. Beyond its on-the-nose symbolic imagery of its eagle-crested jade medallions and dollar-sign death furnaces, the film systematically dismantles the moral scaffolding of hegemonic power under the guise of celestial authority. Cloaked in the rhetoric of 'civilisation' and 'enlightenment,' the celestial Chan sect stands in for imperial powers that repackage subjugation as salvation. Their exploitation of dragons and demons under the banner of reform echoes a long history of colonial manipulation, offering elevation in exchange for obedience, and punishing resistance with obliteration. But what really elevates it beyond simple allegory is how it reclaims the demonic, vilified 'Other', as revolutionary, rather than as victim. Ne Zha's ultimate decision to embrace his identity rather than 'pass' into acceptability is a pointed rejection of assimilation into oppressive systems. Unlike the current wave of contrite, state-sponsored Western superheroes, or the glut of sad boys in capes stuck in a cycle of moral ambiguity, Ne Zha is simply furious, and his clarity is radical: oppression is evil, resistance is righteous. In this light, Ne Zha 2's blazing manifesto burns through its fantastical epic. Is it perfect? Not remotely. The pacing often stutters under the weight of its sprawling lore, and some subplots feel like filler. While the animation is frequently jaw-dropping, the frenetic editing can also leave you gasping for air. But then Ne Zha grabs a bamboo pole, leaps into the rain, and does battle midair with a sentient lightning bolt, and all is forgiven. The gloriously unhinged fever dream of Ne Zha 2 is where the sacred meets the slapstick, and somehow, it just works. But above all, it makes the case that animation, in the right hands, can do absolutely anything. Including knocking a few billion-dollar Hollywood franchises off their high horses, with time left over to kneecap a Marvel release at the box office. Ne Zha 2 is currently running in theatres
Scroll.in
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Ne Zha 2' review: A spectacular, dazzling feat of animation
In 2019, the animated fantasy adventure Ne Zha captivated China – and the world. Jiaozi's debut feature was one of China's biggest hits and one of the world's most successful non-English productions. The second part, released in China on January 29, has already surpassed its predecessor at the box office. Ne Zha 2 is out in India in its original Mandarin with English subtitles. The sequel is a thrilling, propulsive epic saga of filial duty, sacrifice and collaboration against a common enemy, presented through some of the most gobsmacking visuals ever seen in animated films. The franchise is loosely based on the 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods. Ne Zha has already inspired a slew of Chinese productions, including the animated Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979). The first movie was the origin story of Ne Zha, who is the result of a divine boon. A celestial pearl is split into two elements, the Spirit Pearl and the Demon Orb, to contain its energies. According to a prophecy, the Spirit Pearl will be born as the child of the warrior Li Jing and his wife Yin. The Spirit Pearl's bumbling guardian Taiyi is tricked by the wizard Shen into a swap. The Spirit Pearl is born as the underwater Dragon King's son Ao Bing, while Li Jing and Yin find themselves as Ne Zha's parents. Ne Zha lives up to his demonic reputation. The boy with dark circles under his eyes and oversized teeth is despised in his kingdom, which only pushes him towards further havoc. Ne Zha's uncontrollable anger finds an outlet, and a higher purpose, when he meets Ao Bing. Ne Zha 2 is vastly more ambitious in every way – the number of events and characters, the scale, the backdrops, the visual effects. The sequel sees Ne Zha and Ao Bin teaming up against the Dragon King's wrath. Even as the Dragon King wages war on Ne Zha's kingdom, Ne Zha and Ao Bin journey to the heavenly abode of the Immortal sorcerer Wuilang to seek greater powers. Densely plotted and relentlessly paced, the 144-minute movie pauses only for potty jokes and silly humour. There is so much going on at times that it's hard to take everything in at one go. In the first film, the fantasy elements were grounded in relatable human characters. Ne Zha was every inch the stubborn, destructive and unreasonable last-born son endlessly running circles around his family, minders and Taiyi. In Ne Zha 2, Jiaozi dispenses with character building and pulls out all stops for a spectacular display of his virtuosity in the animation medium. The gorgeously detailed frames inspired from Chinese design and the hectic battle scenes rival, if not surpass, big-budget Hollywood productions. Several sequences linger in memory – Wuilang's jade palace that floats above the clouds, the Dragon King's underwater lair, the motifs of fire and water represented by Ne Zha and Ao Bing, the undulating swarms of rival armies in the extended climax. One of the most poignant scenes in an otherwise action-heavy film sees Ne Zha acknowledge his love for his mother. Jiaozi's ambition is staggering in its scope but eye-watering in other ways too. Play
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First Post
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Ne Zha 2 movie review: A Chinese animated visual spectacle filled with jaw-dropping moments
Ne Zha 2 is an art of work as every frame is a visual delight read more Cast: Lü Yanting, Han Mo, Lü Qi, Zhang Jiaming, Wang Deshun, Li Nan, Yu Chen, Zhou Yongxi, Yang Wei Director: Jiaozi Ever since its announcement of releasing in India, I was wondering about Ne Zha 2's concept, animation and the box office records. The film is currently the highest grossing animated film of all-time and has taken the 5th spot in the list of highest global grossers of all-time. I watched the first part, a few days back and was bowled by the animation of Chinese mythology. With Ne Zha impressing me to the core, it was quite evident that I am going with a lot of expectations for Ne Zha 2. And honestly, it surpassed my expectations with its dazzling visuals and impeccable storytelling. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The second part starts from where Ne Zha ended. Ne Zha (voiced by Lü Yanting) and Ao Bing (Han Mo), who were born from the two halves of same celestial pearl, are rebuilding their forms through sacred lotus. However, the process is invaded when their town Chentang Pass is invaded by demon Shen Gongbao (Yang Wei) with a secret help exiled dragons with one being Ao Bing's father. Due to interruption in the lotus ritual Ao Bing succumbs and the immortal master Taiyi Zhenren (Zhang Jiaming) suggests now his soul to go in Ne Zha's body and the latter is now squatting between his own & Ao Bing's souls. Now, they must make to Yuxu Palace to immortal Master Wuliang (Wang Deshun) for help. Written and directed by Jiaozi, who also helmed the prequel, Ne Zha 2 has gone to another from its predecessor in terms of animation and storytelling. It is an art of work as every frame is a visual delight. The movie does not only transport to a magnificent world but also engages you with its beautiful narrative and thrilling visuals, which are top-notch. From brilliant fight sequences, to visual gags and slapstick comedy, Ne Zha 2 is a complete package and one must watch it on the big screen. Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars) Ne Zha 2 is releasing on 25th April
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ne Zha 2 Movie Review: Visual brilliance makes this tangled tale a riveting watch
Story: Left without physical bodies in the film's 2019 sequel, the souls of demon boy Ne Zha (Lü Yanting) and dragon prince Ao Bing (Han Mo) attain new forms in this chapter. However, after Ao Bing loses his in a battle, the two are forced to share a single body. To restore Ao Bing's physical form, they must undergo a three-round test set by the immortal Wuliang Xianweng (Deshun Wang) and earn a mystical potion. Review: Loosely based on the 16th-century classic Investiture of the Gods, Ne Zha 2 takes Chinese mythology and animated adventure to an all-new level of spectacle. Director Jiaozi returns with a sequel with relentless action, intricate set pieces and character designs, and complexed characterisations served through a rich storyline. The story picks up after the fire demon orb Ne Zha and the spirit pearl Ao Bing (the water dragon prince) were slain by a lightning and must now retrieve an elixir to revive a sacred lotus that can restore their bodies. Their guide is the immortal and delightfully quirky Taiyi Zhenren (voiced by Jiaming Zhang). However, Chentang Pass is attacked by the exiled dragon army, led by the vengeful leopard demon Shen Gongbao (Yang Wei). From the ethereal Jade Yu Xu Palace of the immortals to the underworld brimming with molten lava, beasts like marmots and fire-breathing dragons, the production brings different worlds to life with stunning visual finesse, dazzling animation, and jaw-dropping world-building. Themes of power, revenge, friendship, and defiance of fate run deep. The narrative questions the very nature of good and evil—flipping power structures on their head. Gods are not always noble, demons not always cruel. However, the plot at times stretches thin under the weight of its many characters and tangents. The occasional toilet humour—farts, puke, and all—feels tonally off for a film steeped in myth and emotion. What truly holds it all together is the electric dynamic between Ne Zha's chaotic fire and Ao Bing's composed calm. Their journey peaks in a riveting third act, where Ne Zha's fury clashes with the honour of exiled dragons. A tender moment between Ne Zha and his mother might just bring a tear to your eye. Whether or not you've seen the first chapter or are familiar with Chinese folklore, Ne Zha 2 delivers. With spectacular VFX, immersive set design, thrilling action, and memorable character work, this mythological epic is a riveting watch—even when the story meanders.
