[Photo: Xinhua]

Just three days after hitting the screen across China, the Chinese animation film Monkey King: Hero is Back evoked enthusiasm among audiences and ticket sales have exceeded 100 million yuan or 16.11 million US dollars.

Web celebrities and many fans even posted topics about the film on China's Twitter-like Weibo, at which heated discussions were sparked.

"Monkey King: Hero is Back" is based on the household legend of the Monkey King, but tells a not-so familiar story.

However, it's still a Chinese style heroic legend and an exciting adventure against evil and darkness in troubled times.

Trailer of "Monkey King: Hero is Back"

Three Highlights

Not the Traditional Monkey King in People's Mind

[Photo: Souhu]

Instead of creating a the same old character of Monkey King, the Monkey King in this movie has a mixture of a human being's personality, Buddha and demon's nature in the story.

Attractive to Different Ages

[Photo: hebnews.cn]

Although the movie has a little Hollywood style, the bold and creative story with the spirit of time can cause emotional resonance to different generations. So it is different from the traditional "Monkey King" animations which are only attractive to children.

The Design and Chinese Elements of the Animation is Eye-catching

[Photo: ddvip.com]

The bright spot of the movie production is the application of the Chinese arts on the character and background design which combined with Computer Design.

Some Issues May be Concerned by Netizens who Watched the Movie

What is the Background of the Director?

[Photo: Souhu]

The director of this movie called Tian Xiaopeng. And the movie is his maiden work. He produced a TV animation "A Journey to the West" in 1997.

Is Jiang Liuer, a main character in the movie, actually Monk Xuanzang?

[Photo: shenchuang.com]

In the original book of "the Journey to the West", Monk Xuanzang only meets Monkey King after ten reincarnations. In between each reincarnation, Monk Xuanzang has no memory of his previous life. So Jiang Liuer is Monk Xuanzang's previous life before he died for Monkey King who was under the Montain.

Character Design

The Design of the Monkey King

[Photo: Souhu]

It is designed to be a horse face with western style design but the clothes and armor all refer to the armor style from Tang Dynasty.

The Cute Earth God

[Photo: Souhu]

The image of the little Earth God who only eat peaches on the ground is inspired by groundhog and racoon

Netizens's Comments

[Photo: weibo.com]

One user posted: The film sets a new high-bar for the domestic animation film, when I walked out of the theater, I was crying.

Three days after hitting the screen across China, ticket sales have exceeded 100 million yuan (16.11 million US dollars)! Thank you for all of you, you save the monkey! We are proud of you, said one post.