Ne Zha 2 – Film Review
Reviewed by Harris Dang on the 31st of August 2025
Mushroom Studios presents a film by Jiaozi
Screenplay by Jiaozi based on Investiture of the Gods by Xu Zhonglin
Produced by Liu Wenzhang, Wang Jing
Starring Lü Yanting, Han Mo, Lu Qi, Zhang Jiaming, Wang Deshun, Zhuo Yongxi
Cinematography Shi Chaoqun
Edited by Lin Qiuying
Music by Wan Pin Chu, Rui Yang, and Roc Chen
Rating: M
Running Time: 144 minutes
Release Date: now showing
As of now, the Chinese animated feature Ne Zha 2 is the highest grossing film of 2025, making over 2 billion US dollars in China alone. While it has performed well at the box office in territories outside China, it is now being re-released in a brand-new English dub. Most of the prequel’s English dub cast returns and Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh now features in a significant role. With critically acclaimed by reviewers and audience in its home territory, does the film warrant the hype?
Ne Zha 2 continues after the events of the original. We see the souls of Ne Zha and Ao Bing kept in stasis in a lotus as Ne Zha’s master, Taiyi, helps their physical bodies regenerate. They are both given another chance at life, but at a price. Their clans, mortal and immortal, are still in major conflict. Ne Zha and Ao Bing must complete a series of trials to become their best selves. Broiling tensions rise and allegiances are tested, meaning their decisions can mark the difference between life and death.
The original received plaudits for its animation and approach to adapting its renowned source material, Investiture of the Gods by Xu Zhonglin. While there have been some downs in some cinematic adaptations (most notably the 2016 film League of Gods starring Jet Li, Fan Bingbing, and Louis Koo), the recent ups have impressed. With the Creation of the Gods films by Wuershan and Jiang Ziya (another animated film in the same Ne Zha universe), the stories have been thriving.
The first film’s obstacles included contending with its vast source material, leading to changes to go from one creative outlet to another. Cultural differences notwithstanding (particularly with the case of infantile humour to cater to the lack of ratings system in China), Western reviewers saw the film as lacking tonal control. They argued it struggled to transition from heartfelt sincerity to action bombast to goofy comedy. The sequel’s stakes are higher, the characters plentiful, the world is vaster, and the humour is still present. Jiaozi’s assured direction draws all the disparate elements together to give birth to a satisfying sequel that improves entirely on the original.
Ne Zha 2 travels the path many sequels take, trying to be better-er by being bigger-er, longer-er and louder-er. In terms of its increased budget, the film delivers mightily in terms of spectacle. The numerous worlds it depicts, including the humble village in Chentang Pass, the brightly vivid depiction of the Heavenly Sect headquarters, and the extreme heat of Wuliang’s giant cauldron, are all astounding to behold. The set-pieces are all energetic, fast-paced, and frenetic.
Thankfully, they all inform the storytelling and the tones at hand. While they almost reach a level of excessive sound and fury, the emotional heft in the action powers through. The infantile humour is still present, complete with bodily fluids like urine and vomit. Importantly, the comedy does not function as comic relief or relieve us of the drama. It maintains the escalation of the story’s tension and pathos.
What makes the drama truly work is the solid characterisations. Taiyi is a great character as he serves as a comedic presence and a voice of reason. Shen Gongbao, the prequel’s nominal villain, is given depth and nuance, making him a complicated, tragic figure. And of course, there are Ne Zha and Ao Bing. While both desire belonging and purpose without being institutionalised in a box that others have created, they share their own approaches to retaliating against fate. In the first film, Ne Zha learnt about his doting parents’ sacrifices. He learns in the sequel that what he is fighting for is something that is bigger than himself, which brings him full circle. Consequently, the drama is emotionally stirring and exceeds the original’s achievements.
Overall, Ne Zha 2 delivers an astounding visual and emotional blockbuster experience that eclipses the original with flying colours, powerful action scenes, memorable characters, and well-realised drama. Highly recommended.
Summary: An astounding visual and emotional blockbuster experience that eclipses the original with flying colours, powerful action scenes, memorable characters, and well-realised drama.
5
Amazing
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