The Monkey King (2023)
Synopsis:
In this animated adventure, a stick-wielding monkey with a massive ego embarks on an epic quest for immortality alongside a young girl named Lin. Together, they face formidable challenges including demons, dragons, and gods, while the Monkey King must also confront his greatest obstacle: his own arrogance. Armed with a magical stick and accompanied by colorful characters like the Dragon King, Benbo, and Babbo, the unlikely duo navigates a fantastical world filled with danger and wonder. As their journey unfolds, the Monkey King learns that true greatness may require more than just power and ambition. This family-friendly fantasy blends comedy with action-packed sequences, bringing the legendary tale to life through vibrant animation and an ensemble voice cast that includes Jimmy O. Yang as the titular hero.
Where To Watch: The Monkey King
Parental Feedback
The Monkey King delivers a fast-paced animated adventure that blends action-packed sequences with comedic moments as it follows a stick-wielding monkey and a young girl on their quest for immortality. Parents should expect a story that balances lighthearted humor with battles against demons, dragons, and gods, while exploring themes of ego, personal growth, and friendship. The PG-13 rating suggests some intensity in the fantasy action sequences that may require parental guidance for younger or more sensitive viewers.
Why Kids Should Watch The Monkey King
This animated fantasy adventure offers several positive elements that can engage and inspire young viewers.
The story centers on an epic quest that showcases teamwork between the Monkey King and a young girl named Lin, demonstrating how unlikely partnerships can lead to success. Their journey together emphasizes the value of collaboration and mutual support in overcoming challenges.
The film explores meaningful character development as the Monkey King must battle his own ego alongside external threats. This internal struggle provides an accessible lesson about humility and self-improvement that children can understand and relate to.
The animation brings to life a rich fantasy world filled with mythical creatures including demons, dragons, and gods, sparking imagination and introducing viewers to elements of classic mythology. The vibrant visual storytelling keeps the adventure engaging throughout its runtime.
The voice cast delivers performances that add humor and personality to the characters, making the story entertaining while maintaining its adventurous spirit. The comedic elements help balance the more intense action sequences.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch The Monkey King
Parents may want to consider several factors before allowing younger children to watch this animated adventure.
The PG-13 rating indicates that the fantasy violence and battle sequences may be too intense for younger or more sensitive children. Fights against demons, dragons, and gods could be frightening for viewers who are not accustomed to action-heavy animated content.
The runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes is quite lengthy for an animated feature, which may challenge the attention span of younger viewers. Restless children might struggle to remain engaged throughout the entire epic quest.
Some of the themes explored, including battling one's own ego and the quest for immortality, may be complex concepts that younger children find difficult to fully grasp or process without parental discussion and guidance.
Verdict: Parent Approved
The Monkey King earns parental approval as an entertaining animated adventure that combines action, humor, and meaningful lessons about teamwork and personal growth, though parents should consider the PG-13 rating and lengthy runtime when deciding if it's appropriate for their individual child.
What Parents Should Know About The Monkey King
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, the story demonstrates teamwork between the Monkey King and Lin, and shows the importance of overcoming personal flaws like ego through character growth. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | Yes, the battles against demons, dragons, and gods may be intense for younger viewers, and the themes of ego and immortality could be emotionally complex. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | Yes, the Monkey King's ego serves as an obstacle he must overcome, demonstrating that personal flaws have consequences that must be addressed. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | Yes, the partnership between the Monkey King and Lin emphasizes collaboration and working together to achieve their quest for immortality. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Yes, children will learn about the importance of humility, teamwork, and personal growth through the Monkey King's journey of battling his own ego. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally appreciate The Monkey King as a visually engaging animated adventure that introduces children to mythological storytelling while delivering accessible lessons about teamwork and personal growth. Many families find the humor and action sequences entertaining, though some parents note that the PG-13 rating is appropriate given the intensity of the fantasy battles and the lengthy runtime. The partnership between the Monkey King and Lin resonates with viewers as a positive example of collaboration, while the theme of overcoming ego provides a meaningful takeaway. Parents recommend previewing the content for younger or more sensitive children to ensure the action sequences and complex themes align with their family's comfort level.
Official The Monkey King Trailer
Why Kids Love The Monkey King
The Monkey King wields his magical stick in wild battles against demons, dragons, and even gods, swinging and spinning through bright, colorful fantasy worlds. His superpowers let him leap across impossible distances and transform mid-fight, turning every clash into a fast-paced spectacle of flips and strikes. Kids watch him charge headfirst into epic showdowns where anything can happen.
The Dragon King brings silly humor to the chaos, while Benbo and Babbo add goofy sidekick energy that keeps the laughs coming between action bursts. Lin teams up with the stick-wielding monkey on a quest packed with narrow escapes and surprise encounters. Their journey zips from one colorful location to the next, never slowing down.
The Monkey King's massive ego fuels funny moments as he tries to prove he's the ultimate hero, doing things his own way no matter what anyone says. His unique style and refusal to follow the rules make him unpredictable and exciting. Kids love watching him battle his way through impossible odds, showing off his powers and learning to lead while staying true to himself.