Film Review – The Monkey King

Stephen Chow is listed as the executive producer of “The Monkey King,” and while his role in the production isn’t clear, his movies are certainly used as an influence on the feature. The helmer of “Shaolin Soccer” and “Kung Fu Hustle,” Chow’s manic energy is special, with his peculiar sense of humor infused into lovably oddball endeavors that merge big action with broad slapstick. That’s the general idea behind “The Monkey King,” with the animated picture looking to generate a level of hyperactivity while exploring a fantasy mission for a special monkey, his sentient staff, and a young girl trying to save her village from disaster. Director Anthony Stacci (“The Boxtrolls” and “Open Season”) looks to crank up the scale of the effort, taking the tale to Heaven and Hell, and there are plenty of high-flying moments to enjoy here. The aggressive tone of it all starts to grind on the senses in the final act, going overboard with craziness, holding the film back from the rip-roaring good time it wants to be. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com