Monkey Enters Lanka (2022) Poster

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10/10
An animated adventure for the ages
anthonywills-522578 October 2023
' Monkey Enters Lanka' takes you on an epic quest filled with jaw-dropping action and incredible animation. The storytelling is spellbinding, and the characters are endearing. This short film takes you on a whirlwind journey through stunning landscapes and intense action sequences. "Money Enters Lanka " characters are captivating, and the pacing is perfect. It's a mini-epic that packs a mighty punch.. The director's fingerprints are all over this amazing piece and it's a masterpiece of his craft. The way he handle the action sequences and character development is nothing short of exceptional."
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10/10
Adipurush made me appreciate this movie more
ejideatanda13 October 2023
At first some of this information shocked me, like Ravana having abducted other women and being cursed, and this having been the reason he couldn't touch Sita, but I later went and fact-checked this information only to find IT IS ALL TRUE! I am actually appalled that no other adaptation properly dealt with this and tried to paint Ravan in a more noble light, as if he had only taken Sita.

If you have seen Adipurush, you need to see this film too. If you were one of the few who didn't hate Adipurush and appreciated what it was trying to do, this is also one of those films, that doesn't just copy every other adaptation, it focuses on different aspects of the book and gives us more to think about.
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10/10
The best Action packed adventurous movie
jamilwrites9 October 2023
Picturing the ancient tale of Ramayan in modern way with a mixture of different art styles "Monkey Enters Lanka takes you on a whirlwind journey through stunning landscapes and intense action sequences. The characters are captivating, and the pacing is perfect. It's a mini-epic that packs a mighty punch. You go on a grand mission in "Monkey Enters Lanka," which is packed with astonishing action and breathtaking visuals.

The Music 🎶 gives an amazing feeling blending so well with every scene .

I LOVE IT !!!

I can say the film's energy and momentum are a testament to the director's skill and passion for the craft.
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10/10
Ravana roars and Hanuman Roars even louder
fisire11 October 2023
This film is seriously good. I will not compare it to any of the other adaptations, it is clearly done on a budget and that is evident. But it really shows that this team could pull off wonders on a larger budget, especially that of Adipurush.

Ravana the beast An adrenaline packed rollercoaster . The stunts, storytelling, visuals are nothing short of breathtaking.

I enjoyed Ravana's emotional tantrums and the way Hanuman goes from being kind and soft to a WWE champion. I really loved the take downs of the villains and the mantras in the bgm were easy to get into and sing along with. This is amazingly beautiful.
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10/10
First adaptation to show Ravana's backstory properly & Racially Diverse cast
nftoves11 October 2023
Being familiar with this tale and its adaptations, I see why some people are against this, but I feel like they just hadn't given it a chance. I think the problem is some people think this story belongs to India and India alone, but some of you need to get out and travel a bit. Roasting the films for its cast's racial diversity is not cool. This story is shared across South-East Asia. I personally liked the Hong Kong-ese Sita, and her performance.

Lots of other things to like here like the Chinese song about Rama (you can't expect your 1980s TV series theme to be in every adaptation) and the diverse range of women that Ravan abducted (as mentioned in the book, and the ONLY adaptation I have seen actually portraying this)
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9/10
Forget the toxic reviewers, this film is great
vveriyan25 October 2023
Many individuals are quick to criticize the creators of this film for what they perceive as a deviation from the traditional Ramayana story. There's a certain fixed mindset among all Indians due to their early exposure to the epic through the 80s tv serial. And any reinterpretation tends to be met with disapproval. Whether it's Raavana or Lanka, Indian films have a history of being molded to suit the sensibilities of each generation.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the hard work and audacity of the team behind this film. It actually closely follows the scriptures while gives the art and look of the movie a frank miller book feel

it's crucial to appreciate the efforts and creativity put into a project like this, rather than fixating on perceived deviations from the traditional narrative. This film succeeded in presenting a unique and visually compelling interpretation of the Ramayana, and for that, it deserves recognition and support.
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10/10
Love the music, the story line, and how it was brought to life
jgunanithy8 May 2022
It was a really good movie!! There was so much to the story about Rama and Sita that I had not known about before watching this, so it was very enlightening. LOVED THE MUSIC TOO!! Gave me goosebumps.
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9/10
Unique and amazing story telling
nimeshjoshi-5964415 May 2022
Monkey by Lanka is a unique movie. The way the movie has been presented is outstanding and with such indepth narrative. Great movie and truely recommended.
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10/10
Great storytelling in a unique fashion!
dbchudasama12 May 2022
Monkey Enters Lanka is a great mix of film and animation with a dark feel juxapositioned. The BGM was a great supporting factor, with a unique story telling experience for modern viewers. Picturing the ancient tale of Ramayan in modern way with a mixture of different art styles is what this short film brings. Excited to see more! A great introduction to anyone wanting to align themself with the story of Ramayan. Good job!
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10/10
A wonderful short film by an independent filmmaker
preriit7 May 2022
A great short film which has done a great amalgamation of Indian and Chinese culture and also married it with contemporary issues. It's a work of independent art which includes fantastic acting by the actors, great direction and more importantly the research done behind is amply visible. No wonder it won so many film awards.
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10/10
Another Wonderful Interpretation of the Stories of Hanuman
satyagrahe2 May 2022
These days people spew hate and ridicule from their own sources, independent from the focus of their criticisms. I started this account to comment on this short in direct opposition to a negative myopic review. I found the piece delivers a rich interconnectedness to several other pieces of speculative fiction. Though at times seemingly disjointed between live action and anime this is an exploration and further expression of the many stories of The Journey to the West to Dragon Ball and recent God of High School anime in 2020 which is sourced from Manhua/Manga. From difference in the shape of the Golden Cudgel, the Flaming Tail to the radiance of Sita and the chant of Hare Rama I found delights in what feels like a very personal project. I look forward to part two and future work from this group of inspired artists. Thank you I still sit with the passion of this short long after viewing. I would add it is also important to unfurl the rich tapestry of stories from all the worlds ancient sources as Western culture is very Judeo-Christian centric and that is not the sum total of us, (this from a Sicilian recovering Roman Catholic from Brooklyn). The Monkey King legend imparts rich insights to the nature of the self, the creature self, ego, and how ones path is in all ways a path of heart, a path of spirit.
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8/10
Welcome to Japan, Sin City-themed Ramayana
watanabeikuro-131446 November 2023
Cannot understand the negative reviewers. Seems from the comment most are Indians offended by Sita being played by non-Indian actress but why?

We have Ramayana too. The famous Ramayana animation is also from Japan, directed by Yugo Sako. We love Ramayana and monkey magic in Japan, we have a deity like Hanuman in our culture. Please Indian friends, be open minded to adaptation.

My opinion on this movie: thank you for making it and casting diverse cast so it is reachable. Music is nice and specially thank you for Japanese subtitles. I watched in Raindance film festival and was moved by Hanuman story. As a big Sin city fan, but thank you for trying this stylistic choice.
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9/10
Applaud the good moments despite the flaws
kgfrrr29 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This film was made before all the AI technologies had come out so one has to appreciate the time it took to craft the details here. It is of course not something to compare to Ramayana Japanese anime or etc, so one must not give it negative ratings just by comparison. Everyone has freedom to make adaptations especially when the material is a legend loved across Asia.

Some of the idiotic reviews here are quarreling about using non Indian actors such as Chinese to tell an Indian story. Please wake up, this story does not only belongs to India. It is shared culture of all Asia and all world.

Jsr.
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8/10
Welcome to Japan Hanuman
Haruto-722176 November 2023
Saw this via Raindance Japan. Truly a marvelous spectacle blending Indian mythology with the artistic essence of Robert Rodriguez's Sin City. A tale from the Ramayana, focused on Hanuman and Ravana, unveils a mesmerizing world of contrasting visuals, deep characterization, and cultural richness.

The film, it bursts forth with a vivid orange/red juxtaposed against stark black and white, reminiscent of Sin City's noir aesthetics. These striking visuals capture the essence of Indian mythology, painting a world that is both ancient and modern, transporting viewers into a realm where the spiritual and the contemporary collide.

Now, the characters, particularly Hanuman, Sita and Ravana, take center stage in this narrative. The film delves into their personas, offering an in-depth exploration of their motivations, inner conflicts, and the intricacies of their souls. Hanuman, revered in Indian mythology for his loyalty and strength, is depicted with layers that go beyond his divine abilities. The audience is privy to his emotional struggles, his moral dilemmas, and his unwavering determination. His journey unfolds in a way that is both relatable and deeply engaging.

The film offers a nuanced portrayal of Ravana, delving into the depths of his ambitions, his insecurities, and the conflicts that drive his actions.

The director's vision in harmonizing the style of Sin City with the richness of Indian mythology is commendable. The use of visual effects and stylized cinematography mirrors Rodriguez's signature techniques, creating a striking visual feast that perfectly complements the narrative. The interplay between light and shadow, accentuated by vibrant splashes of color against the noir backdrop, adds depth and intensity to the storytelling.

The short film's focus on character depth within the context of an Indian mythological tale offers a refreshing and enlightening experience. It allows viewers, regardless of their familiarity with Indian culture, to immerse themselves in the complexities of these legendary characters. It's an artistic marvel that transcends boundaries and resonates on a universal level, inviting introspection and appreciation for the nuances of human nature and storytelling.

In conclusion, this short film, with its masterful blend of Indian mythology, Sin City-style visuals, and profound character studies, stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and cultural amalgamation in the realm of cinema. It's an experience that lingers, leaving a profound impact on the viewer's soul.
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9/10
Saw it at Raindance Japan! Fabulous!
Hinata-576076 November 2023
This film was very exciting from its beggining to its end.

I understand it was originally made for a China and Arthouse audience, but it worked great here in Japan too. Loved the Sin-City aesthetic. We are familiar with Ramayana here before because of the anime, but really enjoyed the character focused study on Hanuman and Ravana. It give us more adult information than the anime did and it just made me love Hanuman, Rama and Sita more after watching.

Please watch before reviewing, saw a lot of bad ratings from Indians who think this is bad just because of foreign artists playing an originally Indian story. But this film is very respectul and the director seems to love Hanuman and Rama genuinely.
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