A ludicrous, yet compelling fantasy. 
The Monkey Goes West is the first instalment of a series of four movies dealing with the Chinese literature classic 
Journey to the West. Ho Meng Hua’s first merit is to have taken on such a project in the first place. There was probably no bigger challenge at the time than to adapt a book which portrays all kinds of semi-gods evolving in various heaven-like domains, clashing mightily against dreadful gigantic multi-headed creatures. The adaptation is not formally faithful to the text, and the impossible task of depicting the origins of Monkey is cautiously left aside, but the tone of the film proves to be utterly respectful of its model, taking advantage of its farcical aspect, but respecting the need to have the sacred dwelling alongside the profane, cheerfully combining the sublime and the grotesque.
Yet if the spirit of the source material is intact, those who are not familiar with it may complain about the adaptation’s somewhat cryptic contents. On more than one occasion, the events lack a bit of explicitness, and the result is having a film even more clumsy than intended. Of course when you see Monkey grow into a giant (an early sign of Ho’s fascination for King Kong, as he would later be responsible for The Mighty Peking Man), you know you can expect virtually anything.
But then you could easily be deceived into thinking that the fat guy is transformed into a pig by Monkey, whereas he is only reverted to his true nature. Similarly Monkey’s extensible cudgel might be a bit of an enigma and I’m not sure whether it is clear to all that it has actually been worn behind Monkey’s ear all the time. Last but not least, Monkey’s final multiplication could really leave those who don’t know the character at a loss. At least, you’ll admit, that Monkey guy really has nothing to envy Agent Smith. You bet he does ! All these monkeys are actually bits of one of Monkey’s hairs, on which he has blown magic. All these aspects could have been made clearer, but they would then have slowed down the movie, which is better off as it is, with its bouncy and lively pace.
This film can be quite puzzling for an unprepared
audience, and you might think of a 1960s’ version of Power Rangers—especially towards the end, when Monkey and his pig pal launch their battle against the turtlemen—but in all cases you have to be amused by the cast’s antics. Yueh Hua makes a wonderful Monkey, and his sidekick Peng Peng really doesn’t need to do anything to make you laugh with his ears and snout on. It’s all extremely fun to watch, and you might even want to sing along to these heady songs, if only you knew the language. Highly entertaining.
