Havoc in Heaven

I had enjoyed watching Havoc in Heaven, another Chinese animated film that I found online. Released in 1961 and inspired by the timeless mythological novel Journey to the West, this film delves into the early escapades of the mischievous Monkey King as he rebels against the Jade Emperor of Heaven, as depicted in the novel.

Journey to the West is another classic story that intrigues me and also got me into literature from other countries. I vividly remember watching an animated English-dubbed TV series based on Journey to the West, which producers made in 1999. The series left a lasting impression on me, and in 2002, its episodes became an OAV (original animated video) movie titled "The Legends of the Monkey King." This adaptation further fueled my fascination with the story and its characters. So after watching Havoc in Heaven, I've concluded that I love it better than any film adaptation of Journey to the West.

Overall, I really love this film, and I love the character designs in the film, especially for the monkeys. They're so cute!

Saw it twice as a kid and I remember it still. This movie is a wonderful animation from China about the Monkey king and his adventures.

The movie consists of several earthly and heavenly adventures as the monkey king tries to (save the world?) or just get along in life (It has been over 20 years...)

It just became available for purchasing in Sweden and I am gonna get it...

9/10 as I remember it, it may even get 10/10 as a children's movie, but also risk being downgraded (as I said, 20 years) to about 8, but not lower, never...

I saw it two times as a 7 year old boy, and still remember it. Great animation, creative combat, and a story you can get without understanding a single word.

One of the best animation movies. It is very well made, the storyline was good too. Various films by the same filmmaker are also amazing. Very very good.

The 40th Anniversay Edition box contains 2 DVDs, one with the film (parts I and II) and the other with some interesting special features, such as a much earlier black & white film made on another episode of the adventures of the Monkey King (the "Flaming Mountain" episode). The "Flaming Mountain" is really funny because it is halfway between Disney's (Micky Mouse) animation and the "true" Chinese animation achieved in Uproar in Heaven-- a really strange mix! The sound and image on the DVD is very well-remastered despite many minor specks and scratches, but part II of the main film was badly preserved with nasty marks and jumpy cuts. I really liked the commemorative documentary which has interviews of a few original animators and voice actors when they were still alive-- the Jade/Heavenly Emperor is actually modelled after the chubby face of its voice actor! Unfortunately, ONLY Chinese (traditional & simplified) subtitles are provided.

P.S. A REALLY well-remastered DVD is the 25th Anniversary DVD of "Nezha Nao Hai" (Nezha Conquers the Dragon King) which comes with (Chinese &) English subtitles! It totally wipes the floor with Disney's Mulan (just my personal fanatical opinion) in terms of Chinese fantasy art and, of course, kung-fu animation.