Fire Ball
Also known as: The Fire Ball
- Studio
- Wang Film Production Co., Ltd.
- Animation studio
- Wang Film Productions Co., Ltd
Synopsis
Do you know the story "Journey to the West"? Yes, of course you know, because this is a Chinese myth of adventure and fantasy that is very popular in every corner of Asia. Perhaps you think you are bored with the story, don't you? That's a very big mistake! The script of "Fire Ball" is an excerpt of the most interesting part of the myth and has been rewritten into an animated feature film for today's market.
The story is about the Chinese Tang monk called Tripitaka who leads his fairy animal neophytes- Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy and Horse- on a long journey to India in search of the "Script of Wisdom and Truth."
Along the journey, they come to a place constantly in flames called Flame Mountain. Our heroes try to put out the fire with the Princess's mighty fan. However, Redhead ambushes them, because she wants to cure her mother's ill with She-li-zi, drinking a potion made with Tripitaka's cremated bones. On other hand, Spider Evil Queen also wants to get She-li-zi for her eternal life; besides, she wants to get the Princess's mighty fan for her assumption of power. Yes, she is very greedy. But our heroes survive as a result of their courage, wisdom and strength.
The story is about the Chinese Tang monk called Tripitaka who leads his fairy animal neophytes- Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy and Horse- on a long journey to India in search of the "Script of Wisdom and Truth."
Along the journey, they come to a place constantly in flames called Flame Mountain. Our heroes try to put out the fire with the Princess's mighty fan. However, Redhead ambushes them, because she wants to cure her mother's ill with She-li-zi, drinking a potion made with Tripitaka's cremated bones. On other hand, Spider Evil Queen also wants to get She-li-zi for her eternal life; besides, she wants to get the Princess's mighty fan for her assumption of power. Yes, she is very greedy. But our heroes survive as a result of their courage, wisdom and strength.
Characters
Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy, Horse, Tripitaka, Redhead (Hong Hai'er), Princess Iron Fan, Spider Queen, Cloud, Wula, Ox, Hong, Dragon, Toad, Spider Troops
Production notes
In 2002, Wang Film Production Co., Ltd. raised $5 million U.S. to produce "The Fire Ball."
The ancient legend "Journey to the West" is given a contemporary approach, with characters speaking as if they were around today.
Said director Wang Tung: "Good animated films require creativity and brilliant ideas, which are the lifeblood of the work and cannot be replaced by any form of technology. Therefore, we rewrote the story, trying to make it meet the tastes of today's audiences, and invited some movie stars and popular singers to dub the movie.
"What's more, many traditional Chinese stories are not easily understood by non-Chinese audiences, but they are still inspiring and carry valuable messages that may be of interest to others. Thus, we have tried to intermingle traditional elements into a modern script."
The China Daily reported that a leading American animation firm has contacted Wang Film about buying the broadcasting rights to the movie in the United States.
The ancient legend "Journey to the West" is given a contemporary approach, with characters speaking as if they were around today.
Said director Wang Tung: "Good animated films require creativity and brilliant ideas, which are the lifeblood of the work and cannot be replaced by any form of technology. Therefore, we rewrote the story, trying to make it meet the tastes of today's audiences, and invited some movie stars and popular singers to dub the movie.
"What's more, many traditional Chinese stories are not easily understood by non-Chinese audiences, but they are still inspiring and carry valuable messages that may be of interest to others. Thus, we have tried to intermingle traditional elements into a modern script."
The China Daily reported that a leading American animation firm has contacted Wang Film about buying the broadcasting rights to the movie in the United States.
Awards
Golden Horse, Best Animation, Keelung, Taiwan, 2005