Jiang Ziya [Blu-ray]

This is the second movie in the Fengshen Cinematic Universe and it's completely different tonally from Nezha, the first movie. Instead of a comedy that would definitely appeal to kids more this is a more dramatic feature with a more mature audience in mind. There is the cutesy animal friend and child character companion, but the subject matter of the consequences and aftermath of war doesn't really allow too much room for silly antics like Nezha has. This is a much slower movie, but I find it allows for quite a lot of breathing room and reflection on it's themes. Basically if you're expecting a fast paced comedy like Nezha you're not going to like this movie. Also you don't need to see Nezha to understand this movie, other than a few references and a mid credits skit these two movies are pretty standalone. Visuals, Music, and Presentation From the 2D animated opening to the credits this movie is a gorgeously made painting with great use of lighting and cinematography. I don't think there was a moment that was wasted in this movie whereas Nezha felt like it had a lot of out there moments and tone shifts that felt more like a really bumpy rollercoaster. The only thing I think holds this movie back is the music isn't very memorable and wouldn't be something I would listen to outside of the movie. There are two themes for Jiang Ziya and the girl that stuck out, but they are kind of generic emotional pieces. I do think the vocal version of Jiang Ziya's theme that plays in the second half of the credits is really good though. Characters Jiang Ziya himself is a bit of a boring do gooder, but he's more like an anchor for the other characters to play off of so they in turn make him more interesting. Su Daji or Nine Tails definitely steals the show though, with a great seductive and malicious presence, when she's on screen. I'd say she's up there with some of the better Disney villains in terms of presence and motivation. The rest of the characters are decent, but they're either spoiler heavy, have little presence or have a few moments when they shine. The animal companion is a great voiceless character though and it's interactions with Jiang Ziya and the girl are great levity in this somber movie. Overall I find this movie to be really enjoyable and much more up my alley than Nezha. It's very somber and poses the question of whether or not "for the greater good" is always the best choice to take or not. As for Future movies in this Cinematic Universe I think they'll probably mostly be standalone stories set in the same world more than an interconnected mess you'd see with Marvel, I don't expect an Avengers with this. If you don't like this movie you might like Nezha or you might like Deep Sea, the next movie in the CU.

Great graphics and good story line. Totally enjoyed it and recommend to for all!

Jiang Ziya caught my interest because I am a sucker for Eastern fox tales and mythology. Knowing little else beyond the fact that the film featured a 9 tailed fox as the antagonist, I decided to give this film a try and I am quite glad I did. Jiang Ziya is a CG animated fantasy film based on a Chinese novel, Investiture of the Gods. The film's story is about a mortal who had the chance to ascend to the Heavenly realm, but faltered at the last moment when tasked with killing an evil fox spirit. Banished for his failure, he lives a simple life alongside his friend who somewhat serves to keep an eye on him. After a scuffle in a local tavern where a fox spirit is seeking, and steals, a map, Jiang breaks his sentence and leaves the region he's meant to be confined to in pursuit of her as she looks like the girl he saw during the failed execution of the evil fox spirit. Their fates unknowingly entertwined, Jiang Ziya and the young girl and the adventure will reveal truths that will affect the human and heavenly realms equally. The film has a serious tone with moment of comedic relief. For comparison, I'd liken it more to a Lord of the Rings set in, and influenced by the mythology of, China more than a Kung Fu Panda. It's quite enjoyable and aimed more towards teens to adults than children. The voice acting is well done, with Chris Sabat leading the English translation in the main role. Combined with the solid story and high quality animation, the film is worth checking out and offers something a bit fresh from the "same old same old" of American animated films.

The movie was great. Had a great story and villian.

I got it for my own enjoyment they are legends from China and they always have a moral lesson. White Snake is also wonderful the visuals are amazing E.B.

A great battle, amazing adventure and uncover the truth.

only bad thing about this movie is that there isn't another after it.

Being the second chapter in what has been labeled the "Fengshen Cinematic Universe", Jiyan Ziya is a follow up to Ne Zha, both of which are based on the Fengshen Yanyi book of Chinese folklore from the 16th Century by Xu Zhonglin. The prior movie of Ne Zha became the highest grossing animated movie made in China with Jiyan Ziya earning its spot as the second biggest seller. Originally titled Legend Of Deification in China, Well Go USA released under the name of the main character. Whereas Ne Zha was more of a comedic fantasy, Jiang Ziya is a high fantasy steeped in mythology and Taoisim. There was a live-action movie about Jiyan Ziya that came out just the year before, but it suffered from bad special effects while the fully animated adaptation is a stunning depiction of Chinese legends. A fox spirit possesses the body of the consort of the Shang dynasty's emperor and causes the three main realms to unite to defeat the wicked demon's plans. The main hero of the war, Jiang Ziya, is given the task of executing the fox spirit in front of the council of gods, but he notices the consort's innocent soul inside and refuses to kill her as the demon escapes. The gods banish Jiang for the next decade to a desolate wasteland along with his thunder-punching assistant Shen Gongbao and a junior deer/dragon pet called Si Bu Xiang. Jiang comes across Xiao Jiu, a young orphan girl with fox ears that everyone else thinks is connected to the fox demons. Jiang and Xiao head pass the borders of the outcasted lands to find answers to the pointy-eared girl's origins. They run across the Shang dynasty emperor now remade as a deity who recognizing that Xiao is original soul of his former concubine that the fox spirit consumed. After taking a trip to the heavens and getting information from the Master spirit, Jiang learns he must take Xiao taken to the Gate of Resurrection where she can be reborn free of the fox demon's spirit. After Xiao enters the Gate, the fox demon breaks it open and frees all the other fox spirits that were killed during the war which was all a plan thought up by the Master god to unify all the nations against a singular enemy. The Master tries to cover this all up by sending a giant guillotine to smash the swirling mass of fox spirits which Jiang and Xiao are caught up in. Jiang severs the stairway to heaven to leave humans to decide their own destiny free of the gods, and years later all the main characters get reincarnated. In a post-credit scene, Jiang in the heavenly realm has dinner with Ne Zha from the prior movie establishing the thin connenction between both films. Jiang Ziya is a breathtaking saga with outstanding animation. The dub is fine with anime voice actor Chris Sabat as the title character, even though the translation doesn't make it totally coherent with where the plot is supposed to be going. There are some heartfelt deaths in this but considering that reincarnation plays a big part in this, the demise of each character is void of any real consequences. The dub is available on free streaming channels like Tubi, so it's no real sacrifice checking out one of the best Asian fantasy animated movies of all time.

this film is now my number 1 film, it smashed spirited away, V.a is on point, animation and world is beautiful, and story is awesome, Il never say no to a film that has space dandy, all might as well as lucy as the main cast as well as a sneaky Ainz ooal gown voice (Space dandy va also played wiz i dbz)

This is a terrific animated movie. Just thought its predecessor (Ne Zha) had a lot more layers. This movie is very fight oriented, which is okay. Look forward to the next instalment.

Well i didnt realize I got an animated movie. It should be good though I'll give it a shot

Es una excelente película, muchísima acción, mitológica, sumamente interesante, se recomienda ver Me zha antes ya que tiene algunas referencias, la disfrute muchísimo