Latest news with #DragonKing
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.
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
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Explainer: Who is Nezha? The mythical Chinese hero behind animated blockbuster ‘Nezha 2' taking the global box office by storm (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — The Chinese animated blockbuster Nezha 2 has been shattering multiple box office records across China since premiering on the first day of Lunar New Year last month. The original Nezha, directed by Jiaozi, whose real name is Yang Yu, was the highest-grossing animated film in China when it debuted in 2019. However, the sequel, Nezha 2, has emerged as the highest-grossing film in the country's history, speeding past the 2021 war epic The Battle at Lake Changjin and blockbusters like The Wandering Earth (2019) and Wolf Warrior 2 (2017). The movie, hailed for its breathtaking animation and rich Chinese cultural elements, grossed over 10.6 billion yuan (RM6.4 billion) in China, becoming the first to exceed US$1 billion (RM4.44 billion) in a single market. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which earned approximately US$936 million in the United States in 2015. So far, Nezha 2 has earned over US$1.65 billion after debuting in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and several other countries last week, making it the first non-Hollywood film to earn over US$1 billion in global box office earnings. It is now poised to outperform The Lion King to enter the top 10 highest grossers of all time, Variety reported on Monday (February 17). But who is this mighty Nezha? In ancient Chinese folklore, Nezha was the son of military commander Li Jing, who served the Shang Dynasty some 3,000 years ago. His story appears in the 16-century Chinese classical novel Fengshen Yanyi or the Investiture of the Gods, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty. According to the legend, Nezha's mother delivered him after a pregnancy that lasted for three years and six months. Born from a ball of flesh, Nezha was able to magically walk and talk since his birth. She named him Nezha, as instructed by the Taoist immortal Taiyi Zhenren in her dream before she went to labour. Taiyi Zhenren later took Nezha as a disciple and the boy was able to wield powerful magical instruments such as the Universe Ring, Fire-Tipped Spear, Wind Fire Wheels and the Red Armillary Sash. Nezha fully realised his magical abilities through a long-drawn battle with the formidable East Ocean Dragon King. However, he eventually sacrificed himself to protect his family and village from the Dragon King's retribution. Taiyi Zhenren later brought him back to life with a new body made from mystical lotus roots, transforming Nezha into a deity revered by millions of Chinese people. Nezha is worshipped as a deity of protection and a guardian for children and young adults. Many professional drivers also place a small statue of Nezha in their vehicles for a safe trip on the road. Various temples are dedicated to Nezha across the world, including Taizi Temple in Tainan and the Sanfeng Temple in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; the Sanba Nezha temple in Macau; the Nezha Shrine in Chon Buri, Thailand and is worshipped at many Taoist temples across Malaysia. Devotees also refer to Nezha as the 'Marshal of the Central Altar' and the 'Third Lotus Prince' and celebrate his birthday on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month, while some traditions celebrate Nezha's birthday on the 9th day of the ninth lunar month. In regions such as Hong Kong and Guangdong, this date coincides with the Double Ninth Festival (Chung Yeung Festival). Where can Malaysians watch ? Sadly, there's no answer to that yet. However, CNA reported on February 10 that plans to release the movie in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea sometime later this month are already in the pipeline. Eager fans have been pestering cinema operators GSC and TGV to announce the release date of the movie since early February. Checks on TGV Cinemas' website found that no showtimes were available although the website previously stated February 13 as Nezha 2's release date in Malaysia. On February 15, TGV posted on Instagram that it 'eagerly anticipates the film's upcoming release in South-east Asia' with the hashtag #sorrytokeepyouwaiting. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TGV Cinemas (@tgvcinemas)
