The novel "Journey to the West" (Xiyouji) was written around 1590, and to this day forms an important part of children (and adult) culture in China, possibly also in neighboring countries like Japan. The figure of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, has long been the Chinese equivalent of Mickey Mouse, in toys, comics, animations in TV and cinema.
Having read a number of Sun Wukong books, I immediately recognized all the crew members: the monk Xuanzang, riding his white horse; Shazeng, the "sand" monk; pig-headed Zhu Bajie. So even though this animation film is old, black & white, and sometimes imperfectly produced, I immediately felt at home with it - and enjoyed some of the ideas very much, like the beetle trick. I'm not sure how children would react to this movie today, but I had my childish pleasure with it!
Having read a number of Sun Wukong books, I immediately recognized all the crew members: the monk Xuanzang, riding his white horse; Shazeng, the "sand" monk; pig-headed Zhu Bajie. So even though this animation film is old, black & white, and sometimes imperfectly produced, I immediately felt at home with it - and enjoyed some of the ideas very much, like the beetle trick. I'm not sure how children would react to this movie today, but I had my childish pleasure with it!