11 ms·

Ne Zha 2 is the most successful animated film – and I've no idea why

6 points by suraci 2y ago

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
ggm 2y ago
https://archive.ph/Dvj3x https://archive.ph/Dvj3x
wisty 2y ago
How many good mainland Chinese animated films can anyone name? How many animated films do a good job weaving in Chinese traditional folklore themes? How many mainland Chinese films have a twist that ends with a suggestion that the youth of today might be best off ignoring the advice of the powers that be? It's maybe the best Chinese animated film, a culturally rich Chinese film, and arguably gets unbelievably spicy with its social commentary by Chinese standards. And it's often animated family friendly films that do well. It's extremely popular with Chinese speakers, and that sells a lot of tickets.
- benterix 2y ago
  > How many good mainland Chinese animated films can anyone name? Lucky Dragon (2009): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5269384/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5269384/ Absolutely fantastic. But, like with any movie industry, you need to look for pearls as the majority is mediocre. New Chinese animations are very dynamic in terms of graphics, but often the plot falls behind. It's the same with feature movies.
OpenLoong 2y ago
If you think this movie isn’t for you, it just means you’re not open to embracing other cultures or accepting cultural differences. But if you come from a Western background, know little about Eastern culture, and still think it’s amazing—well, that would be a kind of failure for Nezha.
- mcphage 2y ago
  > and still think it’s amazing—well, that would be a kind of failure for Nezha What are you saying here?
  - suraci 2y ago
    I think what the parent meant was that aesthetics is connected to culture, you can only appreciate its beauty if you understand the specific culture. Conversely, if you can appreciate the "beauty" of a work without needing to understand that culture, it is likely because that work is serving your native culture. I think that makes sense - I couldn’t appreciate how wonderful Dr. Strangelove was until I understood American culture.
    - mcphage 2y ago
      > Conversely, if you can appreciate the "beauty" of a work without needing to understand that culture, it is likely because that work is serving your native culture. I don't think that makes any sense—it would mean that, if you appreciate a work created thousands of years ago, it is because that work is serving your native culture—which didn't exist at the time. How could a work serve a culture that didn't exist?
beardyw 2y ago
"Despite Ne Zha 2’s success in China, it is unclear if the film will perform as well overseas. The plot relies to a large degree on familiarity with Chinese mythology and with the original Ne Zha film, which was released in 2019." https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/16/ne-zha-2-animation-chinese-box-office-inside-out-2 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/16/ne-zha-2-animat...
1oooqooq 2y ago
half the jokes are songs with double meaning. i dont think the authors cared for overseas audiences.

6 points by suraci 2y ago

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

ggm 2y ago

https://archive.ph/Dvj3x https://archive.ph/Dvj3x

wisty 2y ago

How many good mainland Chinese animated films can anyone name? How many animated films do a good job weaving in Chinese traditional folklore themes? How many mainland Chinese films have a twist that ends with a suggestion that the youth of today might be best off ignoring the advice of the powers that be? It's maybe the best Chinese animated film, a culturally rich Chinese film, and arguably gets unbelievably spicy with its social commentary by Chinese standards. And it's often animated family friendly films that do well. It's extremely popular with Chinese speakers, and that sells a lot of tickets.

benterix 2y ago
> How many good mainland Chinese animated films can anyone name? Lucky Dragon (2009): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5269384/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5269384/ Absolutely fantastic. But, like with any movie industry, you need to look for pearls as the majority is mediocre. New Chinese animations are very dynamic in terms of graphics, but often the plot falls behind. It's the same with feature movies.

OpenLoong 2y ago

If you think this movie isn’t for you, it just means you’re not open to embracing other cultures or accepting cultural differences. But if you come from a Western background, know little about Eastern culture, and still think it’s amazing—well, that would be a kind of failure for Nezha.

mcphage 2y ago
> and still think it’s amazing—well, that would be a kind of failure for Nezha What are you saying here?
- suraci 2y ago
  I think what the parent meant was that aesthetics is connected to culture, you can only appreciate its beauty if you understand the specific culture. Conversely, if you can appreciate the "beauty" of a work without needing to understand that culture, it is likely because that work is serving your native culture. I think that makes sense - I couldn’t appreciate how wonderful Dr. Strangelove was until I understood American culture.
  - mcphage 2y ago
    > Conversely, if you can appreciate the "beauty" of a work without needing to understand that culture, it is likely because that work is serving your native culture. I don't think that makes any sense—it would mean that, if you appreciate a work created thousands of years ago, it is because that work is serving your native culture—which didn't exist at the time. How could a work serve a culture that didn't exist?

beardyw 2y ago

"Despite Ne Zha 2’s success in China, it is unclear if the film will perform as well overseas. The plot relies to a large degree on familiarity with Chinese mythology and with the original Ne Zha film, which was released in 2019." https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/16/ne-zha-2-animation-chinese-box-office-inside-out-2 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/16/ne-zha-2-animat...

1oooqooq 2y ago

half the jokes are songs with double meaning. i dont think the authors cared for overseas audiences.