A Chinese Odyssey: Part Three [2016]
Original Title: ?
China
Director: Jeffrey Lau
My Rating: 2/10
Wow, I'm shocked that this was made by the same writer/director. It tries to be funny, but has none of the humor of the original. The special effects are superb, it really looks quite nice, but that is all it has going for it. I'm curious if the original cast turned it down or if they weren't even offered a chance to reprise their roles. This movie really suffers from Chow's absence.
There are modern references and phrases scattered throughout, sometimes they work, more often they don't. Simply referencing a modern film isn't in itself funny, there has to be a joke in there somewhere. The costume design is disappointing as well. For example, the Monkey King doesn't really look monkey-like at all; he's just a hairy dude. I usually prefer a subtle approach, but if the goal is slapstick humor, you may as well go for it.
I can't recommend this. While it does add some backstory to the characters, none of it feels necessary. The second film ended pretty well, there didn't seem to be any need to add to it, especially twenty years after the fact.
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