Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has taken Australia by storm, prompting cinemas across the country to increase screenings to meet soaring audience demand.
Since its release, "Ne Zha 2" has garnered widespread popularity among local audiences, particularly in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Many cinemas have had to temporarily increase their screening slots for the film due to its exceptional box office performance.
In Sydney's north, one cinema manager described the film's reception as "wonderful," with many sessions selling out completely.
"We've been selling out sessions of Ne Zha 2, and we've had a wonderful reaction to it. The positive atmosphere and environment that we see and people's attitude when they come out of the cinema has been wonderful," said Cameron Woodhouse, manager of a cinema in Sydney, Australia.
Australian audiences have praised the film's stunning animation and compelling narrative.
"I think it was really good. The animation was perfect, the story was good, and I think they should make the third one quicker," said a local moviegoer.
"It was really good. The animation was crazy even though I have never speak a word of Chinese in life, I can still like perfectly understand everything that's going on. When I saw his mom died, that really left an impression on me," another audience member said.
The animated film's appeal extends beyond younger audiences, resonating deeply with members of the Chinese diaspora in Australia. One viewer, who had eagerly anticipated its release, said he was not disappointed in the least.
"Honestly, I had very high expectations going into this movie, but it surpassed them. Compared to American or other international animated films I've seen, it's truly exceptional," he said.
"Ne Zha 2" has already made history, becoming the first Chinese film to surpass 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars) in global box office earnings, including presales, according to ticketing platform Maoyan.
A follow-up to animated sensation "Ne Zha," which grossed 5 billion yuan and topped the Chinese box office chart in 2019, the sequel has captivated audiences with not only its breathtaking visuals, but also its rich storytelling and deep cultural resonance.
The sequel continues the story of the iconic character Ne Zha, a rebellious boy-god from Chinese mythology. Set after the events of the first film, it follows Ne Zha and Ao Bing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges.
"Ne Zha 2" sets Australian box offices ablaze, prompts increased screenings
