the new legends of monkey review
Choreographed martial arts battles, often set to music, are frequent -- combatants may use swords, batons, other weapons. Suggest an update to this review. See our. Do you think a revisit was necessary? The New Legends of Monkey - Review If you were an Australian kid in the nineties, chances are you'll know exactly what I mean by Monkey Magic. Sexual content is relegated to flirting and the occasional quick kiss; there's no cursing (except for a literal mention of "hells"), but rivals frequently exchange arcane insults like this one from the Monkey King: "You snot-knuckled leather head." Find where to watch The New Legends of Monkey: Season 2 in New Zealand. Perhaps because it’s a co-production between Netflix, ABC Me (the Australian Broadcasting Company’s children’s public digital TV channel), and TVNZ (Television New Zealand), “New Legends of Monkey” feels like it shares the same hammy humor and aesthetic of “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” but for the Disney set. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Leave a Comment on TV Review: The New Legends of Monkey (2018) Summary: A new take on the story of the Monkey King, Pigsy, Sandy and Tripitaka the monk, on their journey to restore the world. Our 3 boys (14,6, and 5) have really enjoyed this show. The New Legends of Monkey is pitched right, too, with enough adventure to keep kids interested, and hammy, campy humor that'll please parents. The cast is multicultural, and a powerful and noble young woman is the main character (gender-flipped from the original 1970s Japanese show on which this one is based). And messaging falls into the “be true to yourself” and “friendship is powerful” categories. “I am the Monkey King. What is a legend? From the trailer I was intrigued, but worried about over the top silliness. The Japanese production was based on the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. Read full cast list here on IMDB. The Netflix original, however, is far more refined production-wise than that kitsch classic, and yet maintains a light comedic tone that keeps the series family friendly. Feel like throwing rotten tomato on the person who made this crap. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. In fact, the whole enterprise has the vibe of vintage sword-and-sorcery shows like Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, but aimed at younger viewers. It may be obvious to say, but The New Legends of Monkey is not your fathers, or in this case, my Monkey, but it’s still a fantastic family-friendly update of the Journey to the West fable and at less than 25 minutes an episode the show never outstays its welcome. Customers at a tavern drink "ale" from a pitcher; no one acts drunk. Cheesy dialogue, stiff, wooden acting and some wonderfully misplaced CGI give this family friendly show a bad 90s-fantasy-vibe to it yet because of this, it somehow makes the show all that more endearing. In order to fulfill the mission of gathering some sacred scrolls, Tripitaka is aided by three magical disciples: Monkey (Chai Hansen), Pigsy (Josh Thomson), and Sandy (Emilie Cocquerel), who is also gender-flipped from the novel. How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, National Reading Month: Get free read-alouds, stories, poems, and more on Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, Classic Cartoons Parents Love to Share with Kids. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. Armed with 10 short, pacey episodes, New Legends Of Monkey does little to hook those turned away from the first season back but does manage to satisfy fans with its follow-up adventure. This series sees a new take on the Monkey King and his fellow Gods Pigsy and Sandy. But this is precisely why the whitewashing issue should be addressed but is tricky to do so. She is portrayed by Emilie Cocquerel. The New Legends of Monkey (2018) ← Back to main. It’s some real guilty pleasure fun. And Tripitaka's group of four quest buddies is sweet and supportive through every adventure. Netflix’s new TV series, The New Legends of Monkey, is a prime example of the infinite monkey theorem. Tripitaka bravely accepts an important quest that will help the people where she lives; she performs small kindnesses such as giving her food to a hungry monk, and often prevails through fast thinking, clever trickery instead of violence. The New Legends of Monkey is pitched right, too, with enough adventure to keep kids interested, and hammy, campy humor that'll please parents. In Review: The New Legends of Monkey – Season 2 (Netflix) The Monkey King and his friends return as the seek out the scrolls of wisdom while fending off the demonic forces who seek out the scrolls for their own evil. All rights reserved. The New Legends of Monkey. Families can talk about reboots and retellings. Why, or why not? Who in the Seven Hells are you supposed to be?”. Asian mysticism meets epic fiction in top-notch 'toon. TV Review: The New Legends of Monkey (2018) By Alyxwrites May 12, 2018 May 23, 2020. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. Aussie kids grew up with a late-‘70s version from Japan, known as “Monkey” or “Monkey Magic” in its BBC dubbed format. Parents need to know that The New Legends of Monkey is a fantasy adventure about a group of friends on a heroic quest. © Common Sense Media. This Article is related to: Television and tagged Netflix, The New Legends of Monkey, TV Reviews. Inspired by the 16th Century Chinese fable Journey to the West, The New Legends of Monkey follows a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a perilous journey as they attempt to bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance to their world. The New Legends of Monkey is a brand new reboot of the cult 70s classic show Monkey Magic. This really is a joke and seems like a bad comedy where the monkey even cant beat a kid. Why Anyone Who Claims to Know the Future of Movie Theaters Is Wrong, One Year Later: 6 Lessons Learned From Television’s Pandemic Year — TV Podcast, Hey, Oscars! Have you watched episodes of the 1970s show Monkey? Characters drink ale at a tavern; no one acts drunk. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Your privacy is important to us. I watched the entire first series before I made this so I coul... Hey there everyone! The New Legends of Monkey certainly continues this trend, straddling the lines between overt campiness and high-stakes adventure. Chai Hansen's Monkey is a more complex creature, Pigsy (Josh Thomson) and Sandy … Strange anachronisms like zippers and modern phrasing pop up amidst the pre-industrial trappings. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. “The New Legends of Monkey” goes out of its way to provide positive, empowering, and inclusive messaging for its younger audience without getting too political. Mainstream American audiences may not be quite as familiar with the original tale as viewers in Australia, whence this new adaptation hails. The original setting had been China, the Silk Road, and India, but “The New Legends of Monkey” has instead created an entirely separate fantasy realm. Kids love a dark (but not scary!) But not to worry; these occasionally earnest interludes are quickly followed by jokes. Based on a 1970s Japanese show that was popular with kids in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, THE NEW LEGENDS OF MONKEY follows the adventures of noble Tripitaka (Luciane Buchanan), a young warrior/scholar who awakens the legendary Monkey King (Chai Hansen) from a centuries-long imprisonment. The New Legends of Monkey – review Monkey was a late seventies Japanese television series that aired in the early eighties here in the UK. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. The star rating reflects overall quality. We won't share this comment without your permission. That question could apply to everyone in Netflix’s “The New Legends of Monkey,” which has given a significant cosmetic update to the story in the 16th-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West” by Wu Cheng’en. Actress Luciane Buchanan gender-switches the traditionally male role of the monk Tripitaka, although she masquerades as male throughout most of the season. The second instalment of the popular series inspired by a classic Chinese novel Journey To The West will be released on 7th August 2020, Friday. Join the Community. The series did not warm to me at all — it felt well-crafted in CGI but the writing and production lagged behind the effects. In fact, the whole enterprise has the vibe of vintage sword-and-sorcery shows like Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, but aimed at younger viewers. It’s one that’s vaguely orientalist though, from the look of its wushu-esque martial arts and armor design to its religious trappings and incomprehensible writing. Along the way, they’re beset by magical demons who have a passion for overwrought speeches and even more flamboyant attire. It’s also worth mentioning that there’s the teasing possibility of a third season at the end too. Amazon.com: The New Legends of Monkey | NON-USA Format | PAL Region 4 Import - Australia: Chai Hansen, Luciane Buchanan, Emilie Cocquerel, Josh Thomson: Movies & TV It can be found on Netflix. They were really well done, very interesting, very cheesy and such an easy watch of TV. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. The ending of The New Legends of Monkey season 2, episode 10, “Shadow Boxing” Shadow Monkey teleports back to where the Scroll of Creation is so they cannot save the world. Let me just say it rides that line wonderfully between goofy and I still like these characters. Watch the whole show, and I g... Parents don't worry about anything bad in this show. This is my review of the new television series, The New Legends of Monkey. After all, this is supposed to be fun, not preachy. Searching for streaming and purchasing options ... Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. The New Legends of Monkey is an Australian-New Zealand television series inspired by Monkey, a Japanese production from the 1970s and 1980s which garnered a cult following in New Zealand, Australia, the U.K. and South Africa. Thus, the cast hasn’t been precisely whitewashed so much as the tale avoids any need for Chinese people altogether by co-opting its roots. The New Legends Of Monkey, available to watch now on Netflix! Implicit messages are found on each show: be true to yourself, friends are loyal to one another, etc. The New Legends Of Monkey Season 2: Netflix is bringing a brand new season of the hit show from New Zealand called – The New Legends Of Monkey.The show debuted and aired in 2018. Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. ‘The New Legends of Monkey’ Review: Beyond Whitewashing, Campy Update Erases Classic Tale’s Chinese Roots Netflix’s family-friendly adventure embraces the hammy humor seen in … Review: Based on the Chinese folktale ‘Journey To The West’. Perhaps because Monkey has emerged from being imprisoned in stone for 500 years, he has an endearing innocence as he realizes his powers have gone all wonky. Except that once the written script was typed out, someone actually gave the go-ahead to film this uninspired, insipid take of a beloved Chinese story. Violence is mild, but frequent: Expect choreographed martial arts battles on each episode, some with weapons like swords or batons or with characters using supernatural powers like lightning bolts that shoot from their fingers. This lack of representation denies Asian performers jobs, perpetuates stereotypes, and creates divisions among people who don’t understand those they don’t encounter. Anybody watching The New Legends Of Monkey? How do Tripitaka, the Monkey King, Pigsy, and Sandy demonstrate teamwork and courage? Synopsis: A new take on the story of the Monkey King, Pigsy, Sandy, and Tripitaka the monk, on their journey to restore the world. 1978 original. This is a spoiler-free review of The New Legends of Monkey. The Basics. It has demons, but not scary, There is "Action" in this series, and is just great. Mythology and action-adventure for teens and up. The New Legends of Monkey By Heff Corp. Action adventure series The New Legends of Monkey returns to Netflix, starring Chai Hansen, Luciane Buchanan and Josh Thomson. Why are those important character strengths? by Ian CullenAugust 10, 2020. How ‘Minari’ Found the Answer, The Visceral Cinema of ‘Sound of Metal’ Was Rooted in an Immersive Set, Oscar Cinematography Survey: Here Are the Cameras and Lenses Used to Shoot 32 Awards Contenders, 35 Must-See New Movies to See This Fall Season, 40 Indie Horror Movies Now Streaming, from ‘The Witch’ to ‘Midsommar’, ‘WandaVision’ Is the Weird Disney+ ‘Hit’ That Could Change Streaming’s Future, ‘The Midnight Sky’: How Alexandre Desplat Composed One of His Longest Film Scores for George Clooney. While catching up on Season 1 I was frustrated. No disrespect to the CSM reviewer, but they obviously haven't watched the whole show. Prepare yourselves for your new unexpected addiction! All rights reserved. The original show was produced in Japan and was based on the 16th-century Chinese story Journey to the West.It is one of the great classical novels of Chinese literature. URL. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. The New Legends of Monkey is based on an old Chinese fable by the name of Journey to the West. Thank you for your support. Copyright © 2021 Penske Business Media, LLC. Monkey is guilty of this the most, and Hansen portrays the arrogant and silly god with a captivating and comedic physicality that also serves him well as he executes spins, kicks, and flips. Flag this review Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! I have my fingers crossed for a S2. See something that needs to be addressed? On episode 4 and I’ve laughed out loud several times. The affection for that series Down Under (and in the UK) cannot be overemphasized, and thus the title “The New Legends of Monkey” is directly tapping into that nostalgia for the older crowd who may be introducing their kids to this tale for the first time. Campy fantasy-adventure reboot is silly fun for kids. Most episodes have messages that seem tailor-made for tweens: Follow your heart but use your head, stay true to yourself, hope must never die, etc. Because “The New Legends of Monkey” looks slick and is fun, it should be a draw for families who want an entertaining co-viewing experience. The gags lean towards slapstick or distinctly goofy, rated-G fare. The Monkey King is playful, endearing; he generally uses force against rivals. Become a member to write your own review. Fans are eagerly waiting for the new season full of adventure, action, comedy and fantasy tales. The New Legends of Monkey is a great combination of escapism, humour, a little drama and just simply...fun. You can s... Movie based on '90s adventure game show is pretty fun. Second season of the family adventure series follows a teenage girl and fallen gods Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy on their mission to collect lost scrolls of wisdom and save a fantastical ancient land 277 talking about this. Click here to login or here to sign up. Together with their faithful companions Pigsy (Josh Thomson) and Sandy (Emilie Cocquerel), they embark on a quest to recover their people's sacred scrolls, return them to their mountain home, and cast off the demons that have enslaved their land. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! The martial arts and CGI magic are showy and thrilling, but even if people are harmed, that never entails blood, guts, or even a corpse. In the adaptation, the four main characters include two who have been gender-flipped from the original tale and none who are played by Chinese actors at all, which had sparked criticism of whitewashing earlier in production and which this review will address later. The original Japanese show, known as Monkey or Monkey Magic in its dubbed-in-English form, was a cult hit for kids overseas in the late '70s and early '80s, and this remake is timed just right for nostalgia-watching, since these kids now have kids of their own. When he is freed from a 500-year slumber by Monk Tripitaka. Heroes and villains engage in battles. The New Legends Of Monkey Season 2 is all set to release on Netflix. The cast of the fondly remembered. People may be hit or kicked and then fall to the ground and lay there, unmoving; occasionally characters are fatally wounded, but we see no blood or gore; impacts tend to be offscreen. The New Legends of Monkey, an Australian-New Zealand adaptation, is based on Wu Cheng’en’s sixteenth century Chinese novel Journey to the West, returned Friday, 7 … Unfortunately, this maintains the misconception that not only are all Asian cultures the same, but they’re also random and indistinct. Characters have unearthly powers, like lightning bolts that can be hurled or the ability to choke someone without touching them. This creates a strange dynamic in the group as he’s supposed to lead and yet is often clueless about how to proceed. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. mystery, and this cheerful, goofy show fits the bill, with its easy-to-grasp premise, relatable characters, and supernatural action. This isn't a show for 7 year olds. Why are many legends set in foreign lands? At least one death takes place on-screen, but the injuries that caused it are not seen. Women are cast in strong and central roles -- including show's main hero (who was played by a male actor in the original). Here’s How to Craft a Successful Virtual Awards Show — TV Podcast, What Does a Childhood Memory Look and Sound Like? It meant running home from school and parking i My rating 8/10. This makes the so-called villains dastardly but never too frightening. Cast is multicultural, but since original series this update is based on was a Japanese show adapting a Chinese book, some have complained about lack of Asian actors in the cast. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. Login to write a review. "The New Legends of Monkey" Thus, the cast hasn’t been precisely whitewashed so much as the tale avoids any need for Chinese people altogether by co-opting its roots. Protecting innocent people from unearthly threats is central focus, but it can be hard to tell the good guys from the bad: Though we're told that one group is good and one is bad, both use force to fight battles. Of the main cast, only Hansen is Asian — he’s Australian-Thai — but despite the lack of Chinese performers in the lead roles, the entire production is a hodgepodge of diversity that includes Chinese-Thai, South Korean, Maori, and Tongan, along with Europeans, according to writer-director Craig Irvin. Expect flirting, dating, the occasional brief kiss. The New Legends Of Monkey has all the ingredients to be a disaster. The fantasy violence follows suit. Now seeing the popularity of the show Netflix has decided to release the second season of … What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, Cómo configurar los controles parentales en Netflix, Which Side of History? Read The New Legends of Monkey reviews from parents on Common Sense Media. The New Legends of Monkey is a family-friendly fantasy and adventure series out of Australia and New Zealand. But there’s no guarantee that Asian populations feel the same way in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. People are sometimes hit and then fall down and lie still; no blood or gore is shown. Thus, it’s dressed itself up in Chinese inspiration but does so without having to actually acknowledge the Chinese. Sandy is a major character in the television series The New Legends of Monkey. This review of Netflix series The New Legends of Monkey season 2 contains no significant spoilers. It’s like Xena: Warrior Princess but made with kids in mind.