'Ne Zha II's' Powerful Themes Overcome Its Shortcomings
If you haven't seen Ne Zha, then you'll probably have no clue what's going on in Ne Zha II. Even if you read the plot of the first film on Wikipedia, you'll still be totally confused. That, or I'm a complete idiot who has trouble following the plot to a kids' film. Despite my lack of intelligence, the movie is fundamentally convoluted to the point of making Hideo Kojima blush. Ne Zha II features numerous characters, each with a title placed next to their name. If you think you'll remember them, wait until you get bombarded with thirty more titles throughout the film. Even with its puzzling plot, it's worth checking out Ne Zha II since it's a commercial animated film with some edge to it.
Unlike 99.9% of kids' films, Ne Zha II has real stakes. It's not a threatless picture where we know everyone will come out okay in the end. If you've seen Ne Zha or read up on its plot for prep for this film, then you'll be aware that it can be dark. Not to worry, parents, Ne Zha II is still made for children, containing plenty of laughs.
Unlike most American cinema, the jokes are used sparingly. When they're inserted, they don't feel forced. The humor can also be rather crass for a children's movie. During one particular scene, Ne Zha (Yanting Lü) has to urinate, so he pees in an open pot, thinking it's a toilet. The camera isn't framed around Ne Zha, where we don't see anything, but rather in the back, where he pisses like Butters from South Park, fully dropping trow as the camera shows his rectum and pee stream that flows into the toilet. I guess it's a cultural thing. Later, when everyone is drinking the sacred water, Ne Zha realizes he has urinated in everyone’s drink. By today's standards, that's inappropriate for children. If you grew up in my days, then shows like Ren & Stimpy make the scene seem quaint.
To bring some context to the story (if possible), Ne Zha and Ao Bing's (Mo Han) bodies were destroyed in the first film, turning them into spirits. Without spoiling the beginning, Ao Bing has to share Ne Zha's recreated physical form for seven days until Ne Zha can complete a set of trials to defend his homeland. If Ne Zha can accomplish his mission, then Ao Bing will regain his body. Ne Zha wants to be immortal. In this world, your physical spirit doesn't make you immortal. Um, okay? What are the rules of this universe? Are there any? If the body dies, but the soul exists, is there an expiration date to that soul? What gains immortality?
If you've read up on Ne Zha’s source material, then the rules of this world might make more sense. The Ne Zha films are based on a mythological character from Xu Zhonglin's 16th-century novel Investiture of the Gods. Even without rules, a real threat is at hand. The story features sacrifice. People die off and don't come back. Thank God. It's tiring knowing everyone is going to be okay in a children's film. It's like Hollywood producers forgot how important it was when Bambi's mother got shot. Another interesting aspect of this movie is its commentary on religion.
Heaven and Hell are called different names in this universe. Yet you can clearly tell what they're supposed to represent. Writer/Director Jiaozi questions the notion that Heaven is all good while Hell is evil. It's something that might offend the hypocritical religious nut jobs of the United States. Religion is a complex issue that goes beyond the simplicity of moral versus immoral, which children might not fully grasp. Some adults, for that matter, as well. Ne Zha himself isn't portrayed as the stereotypical kind-hearted hero. He's arrogant, rude, immature, and egotistical. Actual character flaws that the protagonist must hurdle. It's something I haven't seen in a mass-marketed animated film since Woody had to overcome his jealousy towards Buzz.
Even with a confusing plot and far too much action that could have saved the movie a good 20 minutes if cut, China shows America how you can actually make an animated film that doesn't rely on the same storytelling conventions that have been regurgitated for the past ten to fifteen years. To rise to Ne Zha's challenging themes is a reward worth experiencing. It's not hard to see why the film has become one of the most profitable movies ever made to appear on screens worldwide. Maybe more American animators can learn a thing or two from this movie on how not to play everything by the book and take some chances. Find your courage, just like Ne Zha.
