THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE // A FILM REVIEW OF "JIANG ZIYA"

BY MATEO MORENO

Following the massive success of last years Chinese spectacle Ne Zha, JIANG ZIYA: LEGEND OF DEIFICATION is the more epic style successor, branching out in an even bigger adventure and shows that China is ready to catch up to the animation success so many others have had. Jiang Ziya is a popular character from Chinese literature. In this world, Jian Ziya is a middle aged man who has been punished for a choice he made and has been searching for answers the last ten years. To be fair, there's A LOT happening in JIANG ZIYA, yet even with the non-stop action, it's pretty safe that you'll be able to jump on board and follow the story pretty well, even if you don't get every detail on the first go.

In the film, Jiang Ziya is a God who courageously battled Daji, a warrior who was actually a nine-tailed Fox Demon in disguise. As they were in battle, the nine-tailed Fox tells him that there's more to who they are and that there is a lot he doesn't know. He then glimpses inside of Daji an innocent girl, seemingly trapped inside of the Demon. He spares Daji but is shamed for doing so. Cut to 10 years later and we see a more weary (and getting weaker) Jiang Ziya who's still looking for both Daji and the innocent soul who was trapped inside of her. That innocent soul eventually does show up, no longer trapped and as luck would have it arrives at a bar the same time Jiang Ziya does. She wants to buy a map to Mount Youdu but before she can, those at the bar notice she has fox ears and immediately think she may also be a demon. She manages to steal the map and escape. However, Jiang Ziya quickly finds her, recognizing her as the innocent soul he saw so many years ago. Although he could simply bring her back to the Gods and gain his respect and power back, he suspects that there is much that he doesn't know and gives her his trust. They head to Youdu together, aided by Jiang Ziya's adorable flying pet Four-Alike, and set off to find answers.

Like I said, a lot happens, and I haven't nearly mentioned all of the plot. But if you simply let yourself go and get swept away in JIANG ZIYA, you'll be taken away by its magic. The animation is beautiful and the imagery is stunning. One battle scene in particular, between Jiang Ziya and Daji is as epic as anything the Star Wars universe has churned out. The voice cast is also great, aided well by a plot that continuously builds with excitement. As an American audience, you may not know the legends and the culture and that can make this journey feel overwhelming. However, if you let yourself be swept away by it, you'll see that JIANG ZIYA is the one of the most thrilling action films in some time. The characters are original and exciting, and Daji is a phenomenal and complex villain. If there's a theatre open near you, make a date to see the excitement yourself (and be sure to sit through ALL the credits. There's several after credits scenes, something Americans know all too well, thanks to the Marvel franchise).

GRADE: A

WRITTEN BY Xie Xiying DIRECTED BY Teng Cheng, Li Wei FEATURING THE VOICES OF Zheng Xi, Yang Ning, Tute Hameng, Yan Meme, Hi Guanlin, Shan Xin. Now in select theatres, where theatre are open.