New | Donnie Yen's 'Monkey King' woos mainland film buffs, breaking box office records
While many viewers were impressed by the film's top-notch special effects, others lamented its deviation from the original story
The Monkey King in 3D, a cinematic rendition of Wu Cheng'en's 16th-century epic tale Journey to the West, has wooed Chinese movie goers after an extremely successful debut, grossing 400 million yuan within four days of its opening, Chinese media reported.
The record-breaking film was sold out in many cities and film lovers were forced to buy tickets one day in advance, news portal Netease reported.
Directed by famed Hong Kong director Cheang Pou-soi and with action star Donnie Yen as the protagonist Sun Wukong, the action-driven plot traces the path that led the Monkey Sun to become the disciple of the monk Xuanzang.
In addition to its 3D animation and its beautiful illustration, the film's star-studded cast is believed to have played a part in its success. Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok Fu-shing stars as the Buffalo Demon King, and Chow Yun-fat takes the role of the Jade Emperor. Both actors enjoy soaring popularity in the mainland.
Yet despite its success at the box office, reviews were mixed. While many said they were impressed by the dazzling special effects, others lamented the film's deviation from the original story.
"By making the Buffalo Demon King the major enemy of the Jade Emperor, the film really has betrayed the original book," one reviewer noted.