Marvel has forever changed the landscape of cinema as we know it by setting up a landscape where characters from different movies occupy the same timeline. Bringing Iron Man into the post credit scene of The Incredible Hulk was two minutes that forever changed comic book movies as we know them. When heroes like Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man, Hawkeye, and Captain America teamed up for The Avengers, movies would never be the same again. The Avengers opened up the landscape way past the realism we know. It wasn’t just about Earth anymore. Marvel introduced us to cosmic heroes and villains like the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thanos, and Captain Marvel. With 2012’s team-up movie, it seemed that everything that proceeded after it was a billion dollar juggernaut. 

A billion dollars is a great deal of money. There are a lot of people who want in on what Marvel is doing. Over the years we’ve seen many studios attempt and fail at copying the cinematic universe tactic. Universal tried their hand at The Dark Universe, with their classic Universal monsters like Frankenstein and Dracula. They announced an entire slate and then the entire idea was dead in the water after Tom Cruise’s The Mummy was so poorly received as the first film, which is sad because Russel Crowe could have been such a good Jekyll and Hyde, but I digress. Comic book rival, DC Comics, has tried their share at the cinematic universe through Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad and more. The films have been box office juggernauts, but duds among fans and critics alike. Paramount was at one point planning a universe around their Hasbro properties through G.I. Joe and Transformers, though nothing ever did manifest from it.

Shared cinematic universes aren’t exclusive to American film. One of the films we discussed last year, Indonesia’s Gundala, was the launching point for the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe. Likewise, 2019 brought us Ne Zha, which was the start of the Fengshen Cinematic Universe. That movie is currently streaming on Netflix if you’re interested in checking it out. The second chapter in that cinematic universe has arrived in Jiang Ziya. Jiang tells the story of the leader of gods who is banished after failing to kill an enemy. A decade in exile places him on the path to redemption and the truth in this animated fantasy film. I will be honest: I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first entry into this cinematic universe. Ne Zha had its moments but ultimately didn’t do it for me. Jiang is more than just a story of redemption for the character but for the cinematic universe of which these characters are a part.

Jiang boasts stronger animation than its predecessor. The animation begins on a two-dimensional note that is closer in style to traditional Japanese art. For American audiences, I would compare it to some of the flashback sequences within Disney’s Mulan. When it finally graduates to its final form of three-dimensional animation, Jiang is simply stunning. Its darker themes and character arcs are offset by vibrant color palettes that make the world full of wonder. The movie is essentially a road trip movie. The landscape is forever changing and the visuals continue to stun through every frame that passes the eyes of the viewers.

While the film may boast a beautiful surface, it has so much more to offer. Really anymore when it comes to animated features, we don’t want to simply be visually stunned but equally moved. Jiang offers a narrative with characters striving for redemption. Xiao Jiu is another character we meet fairly early within the film. She has also been exiled for different reasons than our protagonist. The two meet and form a bond that takes them to some pretty heartfelt places. The bond between the two becomes the emotional foundation of the film, offering up more than one time where you may find yourself on the verge of tears. Character development is another thing this movie does incredibly well. The cast is so limited in this one. You really feel as an audience member you really get to grow with these characters and understand them on a deeper level. I don’t even have to mention the lore of the film here, but it’s just as deep.

Overall, Jiang Ziya is a stand out animated offering. The film is incredibly heartfelt and wonderfully paced. The character development is unreal; it is some of the best that I have seen in a good while. The cast of characters is small enough to make this grand adventure feel intimate in its delivery. A remarkable piece of cinema. Jiang Ziya is a redemption at its finest.

RORSCHACH RATING:

Mental Health Moment: I want to admit something, not for glory but I guess as an illustration of my heart. It’s been broken for quite a while. Last summer, I found myself weeping over the civil unrest that was taking place in our streets. I began to ask the questions, “What kind of effect does racism have on someone’s mental health? How does it really feel to be hated for something that is out of your control?” The character of Xiao Jiu is an interesting character to look at through these lenses. When we first meet her, she is wearing a hood. Anytime that she is really around anyone outside her group she is continuously wearing that hood. We later find out it’s because she is part fox.

Foxes, within the context of the movie, are looked down upon. They are hated and looked down upon. This is similar to how we treat people differently than us. Her journey throughout the entire film is the audience understanding how this part of herself has plagued her emotionally and mentally. How she views herself as a curse. Normally, this is the part of our content where we point the reader to a theme of mental health and our resource library. I just feel like I have to reaffirm your identity of who you are. No matter what skin color, what gender, what belief system you have - you are beautiful and a wondrous work of art. Please never let anyone tell you any differently.

Xiao learns this throughout the film. As she becomes closer to Jiang, he reaffirms her of her value and worth. Sometimes it’s so easy to get lost within the crowd and hear what they're saying, but please understand your value and understand your worth. Understand your beauty and take charge of who you are.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Jiang Ziya is property of Well Go USA. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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