The legendary Monkey King defied Heaven five hundred years ago. Freed by a child, he discovers that his powers are still sealed.
Personality
Grumpy, proud and disillusioned at first, he hides great generosity. Through Jiang Liu'er, he regains his pride as a hero.
Powers & abilities
In legend he masters 72 transformations and a staff that changes size. In the film he must first regain those powers, blocked by a seal.
History
Imprisoned under a mountain after his revolt against Heaven, he is freed by accident by Jiang Liu'er. He agrees to protect him from Hundun and gradually regains his strength.
Relationships
Jiang Liu'er is the little monk who admires him. Zhu Bajie travels with them. Hundun is his adversary.
Key moments
- His release by Jiang Liu'er.
- His squabbles with the child during the journey.
- His return in full glory, in armour.
In the adaptations
Hero of Journey to the West, he is one of the most adapted characters in Chinese history. The film makes him a weary hero who must reinvent himself.
Did you know?
- According to the novel, he was born from a stone.
- Dragon Ball's hero, Son Goku, bears his name in Japanese.
Our take
The film gives back to the Monkey King what makes him so endearing: his pride and his big heart.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan