About Journey to the West

"Journey to the West" is a Chinese fantasy film directed by Stephen Chow and Derek Kok. Released in 2013, this movie is a loose comedic reinterpretation of the classic 16th-century Chinese novel by Wu Cheng'en. The story follows a young demon hunter named Tang who aspires to be a Buddhist monk but is struggling to control his earthly desires. Throughout his journey, he encounters various demons and strives to conquer them, also receiving help from three disciples, each with their own incredible powers.

Making / Production

The production of the film was led by Stephen Chow, who also co-wrote the screenplay. Besides the standard sets and props, the film heavily uses CGI and visual effects to bring to life the fantastical elements of the story, creating a vivid and thrilling visual experience for the audience.

Actors

• Wen Zhang played the role of Xuanzang (Tang), bringing a good balance of naivety, dedication, and humor to his spiritual journey.
• Shu Qi impresses as Miss Duan, a fellow demon hunter who falls for Tang and supports him in his quest.
• Huang Bo depicts the Monkey King, accurately portraying the character's cunning and volatile nature, showing both his comical and powerful sides.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The character of Tang is directly inspired by Tang Sanzang from the novel, a Buddhist monk on a pilgrimage to India.
• The film is also known as "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons".
• It is one of the highest-grossing films in China, earning over $200 million at the box office.

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Raymond Wong and includes traditional Chinese instruments, an orchestra, and choir
• Notable tracks include "Fisherman's Song", "Monkey King in Action", and "Farewell to Miss Duan".
• "Love in Your Life", a special song featured in the film, was a hit single in mainland China.