A solid film! But not my kind of film.
If you like creative hand-to-hand combat choreography, great visuals, and voice acting, then this is for you! (However, for those with a sense of humor: proceed with caution, as the film uses it to its full potential in the first act. This includes a gag sequence, as well as a urine-drinking, ants-snorting, and belly-stomping comedy. It takes a serious emotional toll when the film gets serious and justa bit too much of a shock. And one of the main reasons I can't rate it higher. )
A great retelling of the tale of Nezha, a popular deity known to many Chinese people like me - but with a modern twist and a plot that suggests exploitation and the distinction between good and evil. It develops and expands the supporting cast, builds the world, and doesn't neglect the details established in the prequel. It also adds maturity and raises the stakes. However, relying on the first film, the film can feel a bit out of context as a standalone (much to the international audience who may lack familiarity with the language and source material on it), so watching Nezha 1 beforehand is recommended. The first half of the film is a bit weaker, but I never saw the film lock down too much for its second act. Ne Zha 2 is a film that truly feels great in its visuals and execution, something I haven’t seen since Spiderverse.
The fight scenes don’t drag on forever, and are always packed with clever tricks and amazing CGI that keep the viewer engaged. However, the fights take up a large portion of the film, with the story actively driven (it didn’t really hit home for me, as it’s not my cup of tea). However, the emotional scenes are exceptional in their presentation, execution, and voice acting, which brought me to tears in the theater.
