IN an era of reboots under the banner of “live action”, Yu Yang’s Ne Zha 2 was validation for cinephiles that good cinema is not on the brink of extinction.
The saga, inspired by a recurring character in Taoist mythology, Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West, continues the story of “demon” boy Ne Zha as he learns more about his powers, dynamics of the spirit and demon pearls, and the truth about his destiny in the second instalment.
The first movie follows anti-protagonist Ne Zha, who absorbs the Chaos pearl before being born, in a retribution journey as he tries to gain the love and kindness of Chentang’s villagers.
The movie closes with him and Ao Bing, the dragon prince, learning the truth about their births as they gave up their lives (read: mortal forms) to defeat the heavenly lightning that was meant to end Ne Zha, losing their mortal flesh in the process.
The second movie opens with them trying to recover their physical forms with the help of Taiyi Zhenren and the villagers, using the seven-coloured lotus.
It is learnt from the post-credits of the first movie that Dragon King Ao Guang only knows about his son’s death as told by Chengbao who failed to mention that Ao Bing’s sacrifice was voluntary.
Blinded by heartbreak, Ao Guang launches war against Chentang Pass. This only disrupts his son’s recovery as his invasion leads to the destruction of the incubator lotuses made from fire and water – Ne Zha and Ao Bing core elements, respectively.
The movie then follows the journey of Ne Zha, who goes on a mission to retrieve an elixir from the Heavens to revive their lotuses as he temporarily harbours Ao Bing’s spirit within him. Meanwhile, Ao Guang leaves Chengbao in-charge of holding Chentang Pass hostage until the completion of the mission.
