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Edited by Orange Sea
Preamble:
As we all know, the Monkey King is a well-known mythological figure in China, and "Journey to the West" has pushed this image to the top.
However, who would have thought that the actor who portrayed this classic role on the screen would have so many unique interpretations?
Below, let's take a closer look at the actors who play the Monkey King and see how they use their own ways to give this character a new vitality.
Lin update: The wild "late night monkey"
Speaking of Lin's updated version of Monkey King, I have to mention his performance style full of funny and wild.
In "Journey to the West", Lin Gengxin used exaggerated expressions and body language to vividly show Sun Wukong's mischievous mischief.
His casual and unruly performance seems to have really brought a wild monkey to the screen.
However, his slightly feminine makeup, especially the two big dark circles under his eyes, attracted complaints from the audience.
Some people jokingly say that this is clearly a monkey who stays up too late, not the legendary fighting Buddha.
Despite this, Lin Gengxin's outstanding performance in other works still proves his strength as an actor.
For example, in "Walking with the Phoenix", he successfully created an image of an ancient god-monarch who is majestic and does not lose his divinity, and interprets the temperament of this character to the fullest.
The aura emanating from his gestures, as well as his deep and wise eyes, all showed the extraordinary bearing of an ancient god monarch.
It is with this outstanding performance that Lin Gengxin was praised by fans as one of the "most handsome gods".
Jet Li: The unique style of the Kung Fu Monkey King
When it comes to Jet Li, the first thing that comes to people's minds is his athletic skills in martial arts films.
And his role as the Monkey King in "The King of Kung Fu" shows a completely different image.
This elderly version of the Monkey King with long braids, although he has not appeared for a long time, a fight scene with Jackie Chan is impressive.
It is reported that there is no trick at all in this scene, but a showdown between two kung fu superstars.
Jet Li's fierce momentum and superb martial arts made the audience addicted.
Every move they make, every move they make, is full of power and beauty.
This kind of real kung fu competition also makes people see Jet Li's extraordinary strength as a martial arts actor again.
However, Jet Li's version of Monkey King feels more like a person in a monkey holster than a real Monkey King.
Although he performed well in martial arts scenes, there seemed to be some deficiencies in the character's charm and grasp of the inner temperament.
This may be the fly in the ointment of this version, after all, Monkey King is not just a monkey who can fight, but also a flesh-and-blood, intelligent and spiritual figure.
Peng Yuyan: A multi-faceted Wukong where humans and monkeys coexist
Peng Yuyan's performance in "The Legend of Wukong" can be described as unique.
He plays the Monkey King, although there is some hair on both sides of his cheeks, but the overall image is closer to the human image.
The design itself is quite innovative, breaking the traditional impression of the monkey image.
However, Peng Yuyan used superb acting skills to show Sun Wukong's temperament, aura and fighting spirit to the fullest.
He wanders between human nature and monkey nature, sometimes showing the demeanor of a king, sometimes showing free and honest honesty, creating a three-dimensional and complex image.
Especially in the face of a strong enemy, the blood and courage that burst out of his eyes brought Sun Wukong's spirit of daring to fight to the extreme.
Coupled with Peng Yuyan's outstanding appearance and quite youthful temperament, this version of Monkey King has also gained a large number of female fans.
Aaron Kwok: The joyful "muscle monkey"
Aaron Kwok, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, played a comic Monkey King in "Journey to the West".
His heavy makeup and strong physique make this Monkey King look like a power player, but he has also lost some of his agile temperament.
Especially the well-developed muscles, people can't help but wonder, is this a monkey who has practiced bodybuilding?
However, Aaron Kwok's excellent expression management, especially his dejected appearance after losing to the lady soldier in the dungeon of his daughter's country, still caused laughter from the audience.
His exaggerated body language and vivid facial expressions portray a frustrated Monkey King to the fullest.
This kind of comedic effect also adds a lot of fun to this movie.
And his performance in other works, such as the father figure who begs for his daughter's education in "Disconnected", also proves his multi-faceted nature as an actor.
Aaron Kwok vividly shows the helplessness and despair of a father and the dignity and pride of a man in this role.
Donnie Yen: An alternative Wukong who grows and transforms
As a kung fu superstar, Donnie Yen in "Journey to the West: Havoc in the Heavenly Palace" Sun Wukong pays more attention to reflecting the character characteristics of the monkey from his demeanor and naughtiness.
He did not portray Sun Wukong as an omnipotent hero, but focused on portraying the character's growth process and inner transformation.
Donnie Yen vividly portrays Sun Wukong's growth process from being proud and conceited to knowing how to be humble and introspective.
At the beginning of the film, he vividly interpreted Sun Wukong's unruliness and arrogance, and his empty eyes and invincible attitude were impressive.
However, as the plot develops, Sun Wukong gradually realizes his own shortcomings and begins to learn to reflect and self-criticize.
Donnie Yen handled this transformation process very delicately, allowing the audience to truly feel the growth and transformation of a character.
Especially at the end of the movie, in the face of the heavenly court that is shattered by himself, the helpless and guilty eyes make people empathize.
At this moment, Sun Wukong is no longer the arrogant and uninhibited Monkey King, but a mature individual who knows how to take responsibility for his mistakes and has the courage to face the consequences.
Zhang Weijian: Handsome and changeable "idol monkey"
When it comes to Zhang Weijian's version of Monkey King, people often think of two key words: handsome and able to fight.
The TVB version of "Journey to the West" starring him won the first ratings in Hong Kong as soon as it was broadcast.
The success of this drama is certainly related to the script and production, but Zhang Weijian's outstanding performance is undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights.
Zhang Weijian's Monkey King is handsome and gentle, with some childish playfulness.
His handsome face, coupled with delicate monkey makeup, has both an uninhibited wildness and the gentleness of the hero of an idol drama.
And his outstanding performance in action scenes adds a bit of bravery and freedom to this image.
Especially in the battle with Red Child, his wit in the form of a little monkey to avoid the true fire of Samadhi is an interesting contrast to the way he is treated by jumping into the river in the version of the six-year-old child.
This flexible and adaptable way of expression not only highlights the wisdom of Sun Wukong, but also makes Zhang Weijian's version of Sun Wukong more entertaining and enjoyable.
It can be said that this version of the Monkey King not only inherits the essence of the traditional image, but also incorporates many elements of fashion idol dramas, presenting a unique charm.
Six-year-old child: the eternal classic "deity monkey"
When it comes to Monkey King, the first image that comes to many people's minds is undoubtedly the appearance of Teacher Liu Xiaolingtong in the 86 version of "Journey to the West".
Although he was not the original choice of the crew, with his in-depth understanding of the characters and hard work, he finally achieved this classic image.
His performance can be said to be the culmination of the image of the Monkey King, which can be called the interpretation of the "deity" level.
In order to play the Monkey King, Liu Xiaolingtong made unimaginable efforts.
He not only followed the monkeys to learn their habits and movements, but also humbly consulted the six-year-old child of the "Southern Monkey King", and even cultivated a pair of "fiery eyes" through long-term observation of the sun and pigeons.
It is with this dedication to performance and in-depth understanding of the role that he can show Sun Wukong's form and spirit to the fullest.
Because of this, even though Liu Xiaolingtong later played many roles, it was always difficult for the audience to get out of the shadow of Sun Wukong.
Whether it is Shi Dangdang in "Shi Dangdang: The Heroes of Tiandong", or the Rui Beast Fairy in "The King of Kung Fu", what people see is the eternal image of the Monkey King.
This is not only the highest praise for the acting skills of the six-year-old child, but also shows from the side that the image of Sun Wukong can be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and become the memory of generations, which is inseparable from the teacher's excellent performance and infinite pursuit of art.
Stephen Chow: An emotionally rich infatuated monkey
Stephen Chow, the king of comedy, presented an emotional Monkey King to the audience in "Journey to the West".
This most infatuated version gives the mythological characters a more three-dimensional and human side.
In this movie, Monkey King is no longer a high-minded and unreachable god, but a mortal who is flesh and blood and knows how to love and hate.
Especially in the life-and-death battle between the Supreme Treasure and the Bull Demon King, Zixia was affected to death, and in the face of the headache and tight spell, he couldn't control the sadness and anger in his heart, and gradually showed signs of ape.
At this moment, we see not only a man who has lost his lover, but also a tragic hero who is trapped by love and cannot extricate himself.
And in the end, it was with this unwillingness and obsession that he was able to defeat the Bull Demon King little by little and complete his redemption.
Stephen Chow's unique performance style and delicate emotional grasp have given this affectionate and righteous Monkey King a new vitality.
He perfectly blends comedy and tragedy, so that the audience can not only laugh, but also feel the inner pain and struggle of the characters.
This profound and humorous expression has also made Stephen Chow's version of Monkey King a classic that is difficult to replicate.
Epilogue:
Looking at the image of the Monkey King created by these actors, it is not difficult to find that although everyone is trying to innovate and try to give the character a unique charm, the reason why a classic is a classic is that it can always stand the test of time.