Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back
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Synopsis
Produced by Stephen Chow and directed by Tsui Hark, this epic fantasy sequel follows monk Tang Sanzang and his disciples on their perilous journey to the West, where they must face deadly demons and resolve their own inner conflicts to become a unified team.
Plot
Following the events of Conquering the Demons, monk Tang Sanzang brings his newly assembled, monstrous disciples—Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy)—on a treacherous journey to the West. The master and his disciples still struggle to get along, harboring deep resentment and internal conflicts while trying to work as a team. Along the way, they encounter various deceitful monsters and terrifying demons, including a deadly spider demon and a sinister royal court. The disciples must protect their master while learning to conquer their own inner demons and trust one another to succeed in their epic, heaven-ordained mission.
Ending Explained
To defeat the powerful demon orchestrating the corruption in the Biqiu Kingdom (the False King/Nine-Tailed Fox), Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong secretly concoct a brilliant ruse. They pretend that their internal feud has reached a boiling point, tricking the demon into believing the disciples have turned on their master. Once the demon’s guard is down, Sun Wukong unleashes his full Great Sage power. With the assistance of monumental Buddhist magic summoned by Tang Sanzang, they obliterate the demonic threat in a massive, CGI-fueled final battle. The elaborate trick effectively resolves the underlying tension between the master and his disciples. Having finally established mutual trust and respect, the four heroes leave the kingdom behind, fully united to face the rest of their long journey to the West.
What We Think About This Movie
What We Liked
The highly anticipated powerhouse collaboration between Stephen Chow as producer/writer and legendary filmmaker Tsui Hark as director.
The return of the beloved Journey to the West universe, introducing a fresh, younger, and highly popular cast.
The visually spectacular promise of Tsui Hark's signature action sequences and massive CGI set-pieces.
Lin Gengxin taking on the enormous challenge of portraying the iconic Monkey King, Sun Wukong.
What We Didn't Like
Kris Wu's casting as Tang Sanzang raises some concerns regarding his acting experience in such a demanding leading role.
The reliance on a completely recast ensemble might take time for fans of the 2013 prequel to get used to.
Who Should Watch
Fans of Stephen Chow's unique brand of "nonsense" comedy and Tsui Hark's epic martial arts directing.
Audiences looking for a massive, visually dazzling Lunar New Year blockbuster.
Fans of Chinese fantasy epics and the classic Journey to the West tale.
Who Should Skip
Viewers who strongly preferred the original cast (Shu Qi, Huang Bo) from the 2013 prequel and dislike heavy recasting.
Audiences looking for a deeply serious or strictly faithful adaptation of the original 16th-century novel.
Movie Details
Where to Watch Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back in the USA
Frequently Asked Questions About Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back
Is this a sequel to Stephen Chow's previous movie?
Yes, it is the direct sequel to Stephen Chow's 2013 blockbuster, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons.
Why didn't Stephen Chow direct this movie?
Stephen Chow opted to serve as the producer and co-screenwriter, handing over the directing duties to legendary action filmmaker Tsui Hark.
Who plays the Monkey King in this installment?
Actor Lin Gengxin takes over the iconic role of Sun Wukong from Huang Bo, who played him in the first film.
