Ne Zha 2 Review: Chinese box office smash hit gets English dub

The 2019 Chinese film 'Ne Zha' was a massive success, grossing US$742 million worldwide and setting the record for the highest-grossing animated film in China, eclipsing 'Zootopia's' US$235 million in the country. It also became the highest-grossing animated film in a single market, taking $703 million in China alone, as well as the highest-grossing non-English animated film. Overall, it was the 12th-highest-grossing film in 2019 worldwide. Earlier this year, in line with Lunar New Year, 'Ne Zha 2' was released - and not only eclipsed all the records, but set new ones for animation. In just under three weeks, it became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, overtaking 'Inside Out 2'. Days later, it would become the only animated film to gross US$2 billion, cementing itself as the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time. On top of this, it became the first ever film to gross US$1 billion in a single territory, with 86% of its total box office coming from China. Now teaming up with A24, 'Ne Zha 2' is back in cinemas, with an all-new English dub.

SWITCH: 'NE ZHA 2' TRAILER

'Ne Zha 2' picks up after the events of the first film. Nezha, the Demon Orb, and Ao Bing, the Spirit Pearl, have been left without their bodies. When new ones are created, Nezha's succeeds, but Ao Bing's disintegrates. So now with his spirit inside Nezha, the two must compete in a series of trials to become immortal and win a potion that can create a new body for Ao Bing. What seems like a simple quest turns into a battle that sees all mortals and immortals at risk.

'Ne Zha 2' is everything you have heard: stunning visuals, beautiful world-building, and overall a grand blockbuster. If you're like me and haven't seen the first, it does a good job to catch you up to speed on what you've missed, and honestly, it made some of the later sequences more exciting because you don't know what these characters' full potential are. It does cover a lot of ground; there are a plethora of characters to set up and places to visit, and while it takes a while to get going, once it does, it absolutely soars. 'Ne Zha 2' is a cinematic feast - it demands to be seen on the biggest screen with the best sound, in 3D if possible. In a time where blockbusters are becoming more and more disappointing, 'Ne Zha 2' couldn't have come at a better time. While Hollywood is letting us, down this film proves there are still voices out there showing us why we go to the cinema.

'Ne Zha 2' is a cinematic feast - it demands to be seen on the biggest screen with the best sound, in 3D if possible. In a time where blockbusters are becoming more and more disappointing, 'New Zha 2' couldn't have come at a better time.

The success of 'Ne Zha 2' is simply breathtaking. For a film to come out of what feels like nowhere and absolutely eclipse all of these other films is just incredible. World cinema is something that isn't looked upon as something that can be profitable outside of those markets. Where our traditional blockbusters are not meeting box office and audience expectations, World cinema is proving that audiences do value the cinematic experience, and I hope Hollywood takes notice and steps up its game. 'Ne Zha 2' proves the demand for the theatrical experience and opens up the English-speaking markets to a whole new world of what the cinematic experience can look like.

'Ne Zha 2' is a visual, crowd-pleasing epic. If you missed it or want to experience it again on the big screen, this new English dub is the perfect way to enter the world of 'Ne Zha'.

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NE ZHA 2

CHINESE BOX OFFICE SMASH HIT GETS ENGLISH DUB