By Nell Geraets
When Oscar-winning star Michelle Yeoh was asked to take part in the English-language version of Ne Zha 2, the highest-grossing animated film of all time, all she could think was “hell yes”. Like millions of others, the Everything Everywhere All at Once actor is a huge fan.
“I saw the [Mandarin-language] movie and was blown away by the incredible, spell-binding animation, the work that they did on the colours, the lush details, the epic battles. But most of all, I think the emotions of love, of family, of sacrifice and redemption. There were so many different levels,” says Yeoh, who voices the titular character’s mother, Lady Yin.
“Hell yes”: Michelle Yeoh was thrilled to help bring the English-language version of Ne Zha 2 to life.Credit: AP/Supplied
Originally released in January, the Chinese fantasy film quickly became a record-breaking cultural phenomenon. It’s now the highest-grossing non-English language film ever, having taken over $US1.9 billion ($2.9 billion) at the global box office, and the seventh highest-grossing film overall, sitting not far behind Avengers: Infinity War.
The film even overtook Hollywood animated darlings such as Inside Out 2, which landed in cinemas six months before Ne Zha 2 and grossed about $US1.6 billion worldwide.
So, what is this story that ran circles around such heavy-hitter animators as Disney? Directed and written by Yang Yu, Ne Zha 2 is the sequel to 2019’s Ne Zha, which follows a boy god from ancient Taoist scripture who battles dragons representing the forces of evil. In the sequel, demon child Ne Zha attempts to become an immortal to save his friend and hometown, which has come under threat from demons and dragon kings.
It’s perhaps surprising that a story so entrenched in Chinese mythology – the demon child as we know him in the films took shape during the Ming Dynasty – has become such a global phenomenon (it grossed $5.22 million by its second weekend in Australia). However, Yeoh says the story is far more universal than it may initially appear.
“The story is, yes, fantastical, but also very relatable on different levels,” says Yeoh, who is a Malaysian actress of Chinese descent. “The core of that love, sacrifice, redemption, and being who you are, just resonated so deeply with everyone.”
Ne Zha 2 may be based on ancient Taoist scripture, but the emotional core of its story is universal.Credit: A24
We’ve all felt like Ne Zha at some point. Sure, we may not be demon children with mystical powers, but we can resonate with the alienation and judgment he endures as a result of his abilities.
“You look at it, and you go, ‘that could be me’. It doesn’t matter the colour,” Yeoh says. “We get told ‘you’re a loser, you’re useless, you can’t do this’, and we’re put down. Then you find this character who goes, ‘no, I will not be put down by you’.”
Ne Zha 2 isn’t simply a retelling of ancient scripture, either, notes Yeoh. Though it’s rooted in an existing myth, it adds its own contemporary spin, largely through its endless string of gags and slapstick humour – for example, when Ne Zha accidentally urinates into a sacred drink, which is then sipped by an unsuspecting immortal leader. These elements of the film can be appreciated by anyone, even those without the cultural understanding of Ne Zha lore.
Ne Zha 2 has become a global phenomenon, beating the likes of Inside Out 2 at the box office.Credit: A24
The same can be said of its visual style. According to IndieWire, every element of the animated hit was made over a staggering five-year period by 138 animation companies and more than 4000 crew members. From its vast vistas down to minute details such as glistening dragon scales, every scene in Ne Zha 2 is a feast for the eyes.
“This is a fantastical world. You’re talking about going up to the heavens. I wouldn’t mind going up there to check it out, and then going down to the seas and seeing the wonders of the oceans,” Yeoh says.
It doesn’t matter where you come from, Ne Zha 2 is a feast for the eyes.Credit: A24
“When [a film] breaks that kind of record, people didn’t just see it one time – they saw it again and again and again because there was something they missed out the first time because of the intricate layering, the complexity of all the different characters. There is always something for everyone.”
If Chinese audiences can embrace other culturally specific creations such as Moana and Spirited Away, Yeoh says there’s no reason why the rest of the world can’t embrace Ne Zha 2. “All these crossover bridges and cultural exposure helps us to understand who we’re sharing the world with and what is out there for us to experience.”
But why bother making an English-language version, especially given how common subtitles have become both in cinema and on streaming platforms? While Yeoh admits she’s usually not a fan of dubbed films, she believes it was the best course of action for a fast-paced, action-packed film such as Ne Zha 2.
“My Mandarin is OK, but I need a lot of help. So, I needed to watch [the original] with subtitles. I remember thinking at that time, there’s so much going on on-screen. I didn’t want to lower my eyes to read what’s going on, and they speak fast,” she says. “I remember thinking, I do hope they make an English dubbed version.”
This becomes particularly important when trying to attract young non-Mandarin speaking audiences, a key demographic (this is an animated family film, after all), who may be less willing or capable of following a fully subtitled movie.
Yeoh says she hopes these young people can see what her character does for her son and recognise their own parents in her. “Young children sometimes don’t understand why parents don’t do what they want. But after watching this, they should go, ‘oh, they love me. They would do anything for me’. To see that, to feel that, it’s just so important, and it’s done so beautifully.”
The English-language version of Ne Zha 2 will arrive in Australian cinemas on August 28.
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