Why this Chinese Movie is one of the Greatest of All Time | Video Essay

[@duydatyds]

this movie was so ahead of its time that it has to wait for 2 decades for its audience to catch up.

[@daoyang223]

As a kid. I loved monkey king. I watched it for the comedy. I loved the action scenes. As I got older. I realized what it meant. I loved it more. Chow and Lau were masterminds.

[@WheeledHamster]

Only.....you...

[@daoyang223]

@@WheeledHamster lmao Chow is truly the only Chinese filmmaker to include American references in all his own movies.

[@nouyang7630]

Stephen Chow is the best.

[@XiaojunMa]

It only needed about 5 years for all the college students in mainland China to use it as the goto reference.

[@fufu5068]

I have been promoting this legendary film since Black Myth Wukong come out! My favourite Stephen Chow film!

[@hamieazwar8973]

Same

[@chhorsan9583]

We call him "Ah Sing" or "Ten Fi" over here

[@bobalicon1000]

This movie is underrated,, I wish more people here in Mexico could watch it it is awesome.

[@Guai919]

its hard for a lot of people to watch movies without dubs in their native tongue

[@bobalicon1000]

Yes I know I saw it a long time ago in KZbin in English but it is already in Netflix in Spanish but it’s unknown for must people.

[@gbbchen1070]

@@Guai919its available on Netflix now

[@suburbanview]

This movie transcends cultural walls. Im a latino guy, and I just love it! The acting, the simple photography, the music are spot on, so many new ways to say simple things. I just cant stop watching it every time I have the chance to do so.

[@jackchio2905]

1000 times with Stephen Chow movie

[@KeePhengVue]

Stephan Chow is way ahead of his time. What a legend. History in the making.

[@PRODIGY-vr4sd]

Facts 💯 💯 💯

[@touayaaj84]

This movie is deep. It really shows how much fate cannot be changed no matter what you do.

[@stephenlu7779]

This story is like the multiverse + time travel to the original work of Journey to the West. But amongst all of its mo-lei-tou sequences and mayhem, the story really is very rich in many character developments. I can watch these two parts of the movie over and over again. 💗

[@oFaCeLeSso]

I can never get bored of watching this movie over and over!

[@lilithmoon3178]

This is not a comedy if you watch deeper meaning of this movie. Till now this is the deepest movie I ever watch and when you understand this movie you understand what Stephen chow inner world and what he been going thru. And mermaid from Stephen chow was also deep but not as deep and this master piece.

[@Guai919]

It’s a comedy. It was made as a comedy. The deeper parts of the movie were actually accidents from Stephen Chow. But yes, I do agree it’s so much more than a comedy

[@ihsannugraha5321]

Wow!! Thank you to making it, this two movies is underrated. I Iove Stephen Chow movie because of funny, but the more i search and watch his movies is not just funny, the story, the acting just so extraordinary.

[@Bobbie_Lee84]

Goddess: Any last word? Joker: There was something special placed before my eyes but I knew not how to cherish it. Words can’t describe the regret I felt when she was gone. If I am given the chance to meet the girl again, I want to tell her three simple words... ‘I love you’. If my love for her has to have an expiry date, let it be 10,000 years....

[@EzraelVio]

10.000 years is also used to express "eternal/forever" in East Asian culture

[@chinaman1]

It needs to be said in Chinese for it to really hot you.

[@chinaman1]

My favorite movie of all time. It's song, 一生所爱，is amazing.

[@UGOkilleth]

Don't forget that this movie was meant to be a parody of multiple movies/stories: Ashes of Time Chinese Ghost Story Cinderella Terminator And several other Wuxia stories

[@UGOkilleth]

They used and parodied: -Ashes of Time's sound track -Chinese Ghost Story's attires in part 1 -Cinderella's love story, prince comes to save the lady -Terminator's time traveling

[@JettoGospel]

Yet it turned out a fantastic classic

[@stellviahohenheim]

Stephen chow and ng man tat show me a better duo

[@hafirenggayuda]

Good parody making fun of the original movie and genre. Great parody making fun of them but still keep the essence and heart ot what they parodying

[@gelinrefira]

Don't forget "Oooooonnnly Youuuuu!"

[@gxguy2906]

Black Myth: Wukong may took inspirations from the 86 show but it's this version where the game is truly based after.

[@ME-nu8hb]

Athena chu is just wow in the part 2 She's just gorgeous

[@hanchiman]

This movie shows Stephen Chow can be a serious actor who can do drama while still being hilarious. One of my favorite Stephen Chow movie

[@tomviethoang]

This was the last movie I saw at the only Chinese theater before it closed down in my city. Seeing it on the big screen really made it hit deep for me. It also made me realize Chow has a lot more depth than just comedy. Still my favorites from Stephen Chow.

[@thayang4575]

Listened the the song a million times, watched the movie at least 3 times a year still loving this master piece.

[@austinsavage]

these movies werent a hit on release coz no one expected Chow to make films with such depth and emotions; everyone was expecting another LOL comedy. but glad they are being recognised as masterpieces now. even my art school's film class studied this film series

[@Guai919]

I think it deserves to be studied. However this movie included a lot of Chinese cultural values that cannot be easily translated internationally which is what makes things difficult for being a material for research and study.

[@austinsavage]

@@Guai919 agreed. Same reason it has not been recognised in the West the same way Shaolin Soccer and Kungfu Hustle were. But thnks for reviewing this classic and introducing it to an international audience!

[@LEVILUP23]

Kid laugh when they watch, adults cry when they watch

[@olojij]

Kid cry too haha

[@theunknown6412]

​@@olojij Adult laugh too

[@Krenisphia]

Absolutely best stephen Chow film(s) he's made. Even better than Flirting Scholar!

[@jchaney229]

He also wanted to see his heart, not for him to find out who he truly loves. He knows who he loves. He is curious to what she saw in heart, that his true love left behind

[@deletedwaffles]

The practical effects in this movie were so cool.

[@CardboardRN]

I get the same teary feelings again after i watch it once a yr😢

[@tgkg]

It's definitely one of my favorites growing up.

[@RenPK62]

Finally someone else understand and appreciate the Chinese Odyssey. Thanks you cause a lot of people just see it as a dumb or messy movie because time travel and reincarnation and multi character aspect but it is actually a great movie.

[@AegisKHAOS]

Kung Fu Hustle or Shao Lin Soccer may have been more famous globally, but I always felt movies before them were more entertaining. Chinese Odyssey parts 1 and 2 are classics, and deserved better.

[@lexluong8155]

This movie is a classic. It reminds you life is temporary and value everyone in your life and don't take things for granted.

[@gray-fox6789]

This is by far my personal favorite of stephen chow movie ever..he did best to tell the story of son wuking in a comedic way, but at the same time delivers the most sad and finally bittersweet ending for every loving person. Always tell your loved ones how much u love them, and never be afraid to say whats in your heart before its too late😢😢😢..Best movie ever!❤❤❤

[@budidayaberuk6144]

Saw this in an empty theatre, twice back in junior high. My favourite fantasy film since and still hasn't been topped. Nothing even came close.

[@cleve21ful]

Top 3 movie of all time for me! Loved it when I was a kid. It's far from perfect, but the enjoyment I get from watching this movie (part 1 & 2) is unforgettable!

[@wantewfwee]

Rest in peace, Yammie Lam, who plays the Spider Woman.

[@austinsavage]

beautiful woman and talented; loved her in every film. sad for her fate

[@Guai919]

RIP indeed, also Uncle Ng

[@PRODIGY-vr4sd]

RIP to the Bull King actor, too 🙏

[@jan8131]

Great video!! I wish there were more videos like this, covering Chinese media

[@bvang0520]

I think the time limit he said was 10,000 years because it's the lifetime of an immortal, aka he would cherish that love for the rest of his life

[@UbaiDRac]

Watched this movie as a kid long time ago, all I remember was Boyi Bolomi, and how it made me feels the longing for love.

[@Tar9p]

It's such a beautiful movie. I've watched it so many times.

[@stephenlu7779]

Still my favorite Stephen Chow movie of all time. I grew up reading the whole chronicle of Journey to the West multiple times, and although the movie is a big departure from the original story line, but it is done so well and very entertaining. From time to time, I would pop in the LD (yep, laser discs!) and watch them again!

[@ReiKoko]

I grew up watching Stephen Chow films and as a lifelong fan of Journey to the West and Sun Wukong (I remember owning kids' picture books of JTTW as a small child), these 2 films were obviously a must-see for me. At a younger age, I took it at face value for what it was: a very loose adaptation of JTTW and classic Stephen Chow comedy. As an older adult, I truly appreciate the deeper underlying themes, even if they were accidental, despite some of the gaping plot holes and timeline inconsistencies. Now that Black Myth is out and I'm seeing all these tiktoks of Sun Wukong, I hope that more people will discover these classic that I grew up watching and can appreciate and love them as much I and many other Chinese do.

[@bigbigdog]

These 2 movies are free on the official youtube movie channel now.

[@FlyWithLove]

Movie was beautiful! I just watched it!! Cried at the ending of part 2. I definitely Will remember this movie :))

[@phiaxiong4055]

Best movie of all time even to this day.

[@HooningAroundLife]

I’m so glad Pandora’s Box and Cinderella is getting love. This was one of my favorite childhood movies. Man, just watched this with my brother two months ago. 😂

[@ExtremeForever]

This movie was AHEAD of it's time especially in the 90s. Besides America nobody else in this world make movie like this in the 90s.

[@austinsavage]

it's STILL ahead of its time. no HK movies made ever since have this amount of depth

[@therav2007]

Thanks for making this man

[@skewsme7650]

People in the West have no idea how much of a good twin-movie these are. Loved the comedy, but in the end never fails to make me cry a river.

[@jayrana9787]

These movie are amazing they can’t replace this movie from other 😊

[@mobihome1599]

When Tang monk start singing "only you" can't stop laughing 😂

[@gelinrefira]

I think a better word than "responsibility" to describe what is at stake is "duty".

[@nouslee1638]

This is the masterpiece of all Chinese mythology category movies.

[@jackyjackson604]

First watch: a hilarious comedy; Second watch: a sad love story; Third watch: a fatalist tragedy of human in general.... even as powerful as Wukong, is still helpless facing his fate; and everyone eventually becomes "a dog" when he/she grows up and start to take responsibility

[@nouyang7630]

Such a bittersweet movie. Great movie!

[@mrjackiemoua]

watched this.. in like.. 1996.. twas freaking great... especially the time travel..

[@doctorsikander]

my chinese friend made me sit through and watch the series in China. I loved it. I was interested but very very confused. Thank you for explaining it to me many many years later. I appreciate it. Xie Xie ni

[@spssy]

I think the best way to describe this movie is: it holds a similar status in China as Monty Python and the Holy Grail does in western audiences.

[@wailoonleong3083]

top tier romance story disguised as comedy~ I used to laugh to this film when I was a kid; I cried watching it again as a middle age adult...

[@AcerAz115]

Still my favorite stephen chow movie of all time.

[@michaelcortzen1998]

10.000 years

[@Guai919]

I know, just English doesnt have a non compound word for 10k like Chinese. So i didnt chose to say 10k

[@stygames5450]

Happy 1 year!

[@Jooooooshcha]

I fell in love with Athena Chu in this movie

[@rielfamily]

"OH OH OH Only you.... " 😂😂😂

[@hmongboy9161]

still the best wukong movie to date

[@arthurcardenas9504]

I love these movies absolutely love them

[@com315]

the best movie for Black Myth players

[@sangsang1302]

i cried .. in part 2..

[@wrongfuyan2876]

the only thing I remember from this movie was I feel sympathy for the 2 demons that detained Tang monk.

[@magnumopus3425]

Only You...🤜🏻

[@firefly4326]

For JTTW movie version this is the best. Comedy and love

[@TheCrazybloo3]

Best movie of all time

[@VishnuVaratharajan]

Good one!

[@scruffy381]

Part 3 is great as well.

[@DeuceTreySniper]

still one of the most saddest movie series i've ever watched..sigh

[@kuvtseemmeme]

stephen chow is a big journey to the west fan!

[@ChenoodleSoup]

if youre playing black myth wukong...make your way to netflix and watch these movies

[@venerablewu8744]

Yk what you actually enticed me to watch this movie 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽

[@casamia8687]

i was losing my voice bcoz of this movie. laughed so hard especially seeing that monk talking🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@switch3]

On an unrelated note, Stephen isn't pronounced Stephen but Steven.

[@icakali3158]

Anyone knows why is it called Cinderella?

[@Guai919]

it was an attempt to link this story to some more familiar concepts to western people so they are more tempted to see it.

[@stephenlu7779]

The Chinese title for the movie is called 仙履奇緣, which if you type it into Google Translate, it translates to Cinderella! So the Chinese title 仙履奇緣 was originally how they translated Disney's cartoon Cinderella.

[@Wolfsbane909]

Because wu kong went from axe wielding gangster bandit leader to getting an bipolar angel with dual personalities to marrying the bull demon's sister thus Cinderella.

[@icakali3158]

@@Wolfsbane909 Wow that's a cool take, it does make sense, kind of remind me to Cinderella man, the song Eminem wrote about how he change to a new man after fighting using substance-the song title inspired by a movie of the same name (about a boxer making a come back-I havent watch it though). Thanks for the reply, it means a lot to me

[@y-adouradou446]

pretty sure the chinese title is 大话西游@@stephenlu7779

[@gamergame6281]

Song tittle please

[@MichaelNgTzeWei]

5:37 A small slip of the tongue with your translation, but in cantonese, "Yat man" (一萬) translates to "ten thousand" or 10,000 and not "one thousand" or 1,000 years. Just thought you should know.

[@172ngan8]

This movie is really good but probably ONLY for those who already understands the Monkey King/Journey to the west ....

[@goodboii3739]

This movie is amazing :D

[@jchaney229]

Dude you didn't quote it correctly.... There is no pain worse than regret. That is a powerful quote. You regret mistreating someone in a relationship, you regret not spending more time with your loved one... C'mon

[@Guai919]

well, I tried to carry over the cultural-universal meanings, if I omitted stuff, I apologize, I made this video a long time ago.

[@XellosMetallium]

salad or soup

[@jetlino.1126]

Of course all chinese and asian know this movie ,it's the most wanted to watch that's why not available here. Other than that They don't know about this movie .

[@ginnyeverlaerk4]

It's on netflix

[@jetlino.1126]

@@ginnyeverlaerk4 yes it's on netflix but not so many people know this story except chinese and asian

[@Retrovorious]

It is now free on KZbin (with ads).

[@duynguyenminh1289]

Right! This is not a mainland Chinese movie. These are Hong Kong or TVB movies, especially Stephen Chow's. His film is different from mainland Chinese movies.

[@DarthAlphaTheGreat]

You don’t have to do a lot of reading or research to understand the film at all. You just have to be born and raised Chinese like me. :)

[@DarthAlphaTheGreat]

Ok and have an open mind

[@indeficit2]

Nice, but I had to play it at 1.25x. And one correction, it should be 10,000 years. 5:39

[@Guai919]

I understand, I’m a native chinese speaker. However English lacks a non compound word for 10k, so i chose not to use 10k. The amount of zeros didn’t matter in the context of the line. It just meant a very long time.

[@DaveY-ng2hu]

谢谢你的解说。这部电影是不可超越之作。很难理解，更难解说。谢谢！

[@426mak]

There is a theory that Stephen Chow used his relationship with Jacqueline Law as the basis for the 2nd movie's love story.

[@jetlino.1126]

I really hope they remove the copy right for this movie, because of it a lot of this movies deleted . It has a lot of views but no more because of the copy right while shaolin soccer and kungfu hustle have no copy right issues.

[@ginnyeverlaerk4]

It's on netflix

[@jetlino.1126]

@@ginnyeverlaerk4 a lot of people use youtube

[@y-adouradou446]

well if netflix bought it, its normal that they dont want the movie to be on youtube@@jetlino.1126

[@tinlunlau1]

The actor who played Sun Wukong in the 1986 series has openly criticized Stephen Chow for what he proclaims as the worst portrayal of Sun Wukong.

[@adamc2378]

Clearly he doesn’t understand that Stephen Chow was only using the setting and characters of Journey to the West as a vehicle for his own story.

[@jijiccc7787]

别在意，1986年连续剧孙悟空扮演者，我们中国人都把他当一个无耻的人。

[@WheeledHamster]

Only you.......

[@suburbanview]

Yammie Lam: how much she was abused by movie directors, and producers.

[@ashesfrombones]

this movie has depth, but its not really that deep. the discussion of destiny and fate can sometimes be sad, but it doesn't mean its deep🤣🤣🤣

[@Swizbbey]

China 🇨🇳

[@SiameseCats4ever]

HK :) I mean yes for traditional Chinese culture. But this is a product of HK cinema

[@kayag8]

I really liked his 2010s Journey to the west even though some things were strange to me from western standerds. It was sad. I will check this out

[@benvang2178]

Still one of the best of all times to me journey to the west is good to me too but nothing beats Chinese oddessey 1,2

[@austinsavage]

these 2 were the originals and miles better in terms of depth, comedy and emotions; these films were made to tell a story without pandering to any market. the 2010s versions were remakes specifically targeted at the Mainland China market (still produced by Chow).

[@ItzyYou]

chow has alot of great movie sad most people in the west only know his 2 movie shaolin soccer and kungfu hustle

[@giangquangvinh6487]

Agree! Ppl who missed out his works pre 2000s are missing great gems. These 2 films in my opinion also belong to masterpiece level of humour and sadness. I love them. Some other favourite of mine are the calligraphy one, the one where he's the judge, 007 and 008. Also, King of comedy, god of cookery, love on delivery or the Jin Yong adaptation, i really enjoy

[@austinsavage]

it doesnt help that most of Chow's best work is rooted in Cantonese humour which doesnt translate well to english

[@berzek3352]

a suffering for mere 50-60 years in order to be with your true love for 10,000 years? why not. this is why I love the concept of karma, although we suffer everyday, don't do harm or create negative karma as a retaliation cause suffering seems tiny compare to grand path of achieving nirvana. Who can really confirm whether its a reality or just fanciful thought after the end of one's life no one can tell what happens. So, why take a chance for never ending suffering ? just for some measly gains in this incarnation.