American Born Chinese (2023) User Reviews

I absolutely love this

[blueskyy_ng · 7/10 · 26 May 2023]

I don't think the Chinese in China will appreciate this though, because after all, this is in every sense, an American production. You won't be able to appreciate it unless you've been exposed to both cultures.

The monkey king is an iconic figure in Chinese folklore. All the monkey king ever wanted was to fit in (to be like a regular person). But he can't. He was born from a magical boulder (some said was exposed to a drop of Guanyin's blood) on monkey island, without parents, having an intellect surpassing any humans, but with the appearance of a monkey. He goes about learning, making mistakes, getting abused, and ultimately creating havoc in heaven. And it is then, that his real journey begins.

This show was never about the monkey king, or the bull demon. It's about the journey of an American boy -- fitting in in school, making mistakes, owning up, finding courage in difficult situations, etc.

They created new characters, gave monkey god a son, so that you could see and contrast some of the struggles the monkey god had gone through, but this time though, through the eyes of his son.

These are all new contents, new characters, new stories. Truth is, Ji Gong (the monk) was never a coward. The bull demon was never a real enemy to the monkey king (they were pals actually). And Sandy, was never a woman.

And most people don't even know that the main character in dragon ball was inspired from the very well known monkey king as well.

The writing for the Mandarin dialogues in this show is pretty good

[LineYeDie · 8/10 · 13 June 2023]

Born in China, working in the US, fluent in Mandarin. And i gotta say coming into this show i was very skeptical about whether they could tell the myth of Chinese gods well, and whether they could nail the mandarin dialogues. They did a pretty decent job. They even wrote some of the dialogues among the gods in ancient Chinese grammar (even i cant write those after studying ancient Chinese as a mandatory for 12 years from elementary to high school).

They changed Sun Wukong's origin story a bit. In Chinese myths, Wukong made a huge mess at the peach party in heaven, stole a bunch of peaches, and was punished by the Buddha by being buried under the Five-Finger Mountain for 500 yrs. He went on a quest to India for the Sutra after he got out, Eventually he was acknoledged as a god after taking on 81 obstacles along the way to India and got the Sutra.

Anyway, I am glad the story still took a nod to the old tale, with all the gods' names and story settings.

And the actors portrait of a shy american born chinse and a fresh off the boat native taiwanese, so relatable. They really nailed the nuances, well translating the thoughts i went through, looking up to white ppl, desperately trying to fit in, thinking my niches are too nerdy to be shared, the different mind sets and culture and etiquette...

.

Some retro easywatching fun with a nice balanced take on modern social issues

[dybae · 8/10 · 26 May 2023]

It's crazy how a show can get such average ratings just because of gen z sensibilities and anti Chinese sentiment.

It's pretty balanced in that it has old school slightly offensive comedy, loads of entitled teenagers protesting (but still willing to have an honest conversation even if my personal opinion is that their views are jaded and unhelpful).. Bullies that take jokes too far. A full range of attitudes that reflects todays society.

This show and the characters are well done and demonstrate simple good fun which reminds me of 90's/early 2000s shows.

The main character has to deal with the usual mild racism that depending on your view is all harmless fun or all highly offensive and the truth is that it probably lies somewhere in between. There's also the usual teenager angst of relationships, parental arguments, unique friends that don't fit in along with the draw of being one of the popular kids. Not to mention the fantastical quest for the escapism element, moral decisions and sacrifices that need to be contemplated.

Watch with an open mind and realise people are allowed to think differently to you and you might not give this an absurd 1/10.

(I'm only two episodes but but this is the vibe I'm picking up on so far).

As a 47 y/o white male...

[williamrbabcock · 9/10 · 28 May 2023]

I found this show delightful. I did grow up with lots of Asian and Indian friends so it felt kind of familiar to me. It was well written and well acted and the humor fit very well. I'm pretty sure a lot of people will not like this as American's (as a generality) do not enjoy reading subtitles. And of course you will have those that down-vote this just because of the ethnic make-up of the cast. Well, Eff those people. They are full of vitriol regarding anyone and anything that don't look like them.

I actually found this to be one of the more believable shows about how high school students actually act. And I have to say the lead actor, Ben Wang, is amazing. He kind of has like an Asian Micahel Cera thing going on and it works really well for him.

I'm really hoping for another season.

Great potential, vanilla delivery

[krevens-11118 · 6/10 · 31 May 2023]

I was excited about this show as a first generation American, the premise was intriguing and captivating, but the final result not so much. I found myself bored throughout the entire first season and the big twist I figured out very early on. There was a sub character that served little purpose other than a menial support a side story/issue. I did enjoy the last episode, just wish a little more had been put into story to pull the audience in. Finally, the choreography and CGI should have been so much better, seriously this is a Disney martial arts show. I am hoping that the first season will have enough following that maybe mor money and effort will go into season two.

Mix of American Teen Story and Chinese Action Mythological Films

[wempire · 10/10 · 27 May 2023]

I found this show to be very enticing, fully binge-watching it in one sitting. The costumes are average, but having watched other movies trying to emulate the same energy I found American Born Chinese slightly above average. The casting was amazing, though I might just be a biased Michelle Yeoh fan, though I thought Jin's mother to be one of the best cast actors in the series along with Jin's dad. Overall, it is a teen show with a story inspired by Chinese mythology, not to be taken seriously or criticized to the standard of Breaking Bad, The Sopranos or Game of Thrones, it's your more than average Disney show with a similar feel to Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, but done much better. Having a nostalgic feel to some wacky Jackie Chan movies and the cheese 2000's American teen show, a feel-good series with good acting and great familial relationships.

*I also loved the fact that the people in the show didn't need much convincing into helping with the main plot, I find it's a much more accurate depiction of the reaction a person from a chronically online generation would have, it's refreshing not having people doubt the main character's sanity for 3 episodes or even longer.

A teen drama with an Americanised interpretation of Chinese mythology

[greenmangreat · 6/10 · 26 May 2023]

An Asian American high schooler with first gen immigrant parents. An awkward neutered Chinese father. His dinner with family involves typical Chinese food with chopsticks. And the guy from China is of course much better at math.

The show is riding on the diversity trend, but relies on typical East Asian American tropes. Don't get me wrong though, there isn't anything "offensive" about the show, but it certainly doesn't break the mold.

The plot draws elements from Journey to the West, but takes extreme artistic license because of its utter lack of similarity to the original source material. There is little doubt in my mind that the show's Americanised interpretation of Sun Wukong is going to cause annoyance to fans of Journey to the West.

Despite the dull stereotypes, the show is still an easy watch. The action scenes aren't too bad, and you don't need to pay attention a hundred percent to follow each episode. The story is ultimately silly, but it's light-heartedly entertaining enough to put on if you have nothing else to watch.

Love the Asian American representation!

[panda_plushie12 · 10/10 · 29 May 2023]

Was this perfect? No, it's very Disney. However this show is still absolutely amazing and l love the homage to the retro style of old Chinese films. My partner grew up watching the Monkey King as a kid and loved how they encorproated it to the story. And as an Asian American myself, the representation I felt made my inner child cry happy tears. I saw the sadness and frustration the dad Simon faced and it just directly mirrored my dad's own experience, looking "different" from everyone else and being the butt of the joke. And I love how they portrayed the mom! Not a tiger mom, but I felt how much she genuinely care for Jin and just wanted him to follow his dreams. Thank you disney, this one was a good one and I hope for more Asian heros and heroines in the future!

Everything everywhere all at once less successful spin off.

[the_malbogia · 6/10 · 12 June 2023]

I really wanted this to be amazing, especially considering the old school and new school chinese actors that were taking place in it, but its definitely a show without a focused audience. As result, there are some interesting and relatable moments to the show, then there are times the show feels like its not for my demographics. And I imagine it feels that way for most people.

A show without an audience? What does that mean? At the end of the day, the story is broken up into 3 different types of stories.

1 - A Highschool coming of age story with bad luck bryan becoming the unsuspecting Hero, like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars 2 - A heroes search for a long lost McGuffin thatll save the World.

3 - A show for a chinese audience, basically a retelling of the old school chinese Monkey King.

While some of those elements help the other stories along, they ultimately class with who wants to watch them. While some of the elements of that show I would find interesting, I definitely find high school dramas to be annoying at this age (in my 30s). But I did find the retro chinese drama episode to be fairly interesting. However; I imagine if you're really into the highschool drama part of it, then the retro chinese episode just wasnt for you.

This show has clashing story types. Not to mention storylines, characters, and build up that ultimately felt unsatifying.

For 70% of the show, a character is looking for something, but you never understand why really. Another character has motivations go completely unexplained until the last episode. And the 'consequences' of the story arent given any relevance to the story until the last 20 minutes. So you are basically watching the journey of 4 separate characters with no understanding why.

Also, some characters show up and disappear just as quick with no real impact on the story, making it confusing.

At the end of the day, I thought the show was just okay. I dont think it was bad, but if you told me the show was canceled, I wouldnt be shocked as it really didnt move me enough to recommend it to anyone. I think if they solely focused on the highschool coming of age story OR the retelling of the monkey king story, it would be a better show overall. Maybe season 2 will do that for them.

Missed the mark

[steveinadelaide · 5/10 · 14 June 2023]

I had great expectations for the television series "American Born Chinese," but they were quickly shattered. This comedy-drama series, based on Gene Luen Yang's graphic novel, follows the journey of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American teenager striving to fit in with his predominantly white high school.

While the show effectively explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural assimilation, its execution falls short. In an attempt to cram numerous ideas into its eight episodes, the series lacks the necessary depth and character development.

The show's tone is inconsistent, with the supernatural elements feeling out of place and the humour often failing to make me laugh. The acting is commendable, particularly the performances of Ben Wang and Jimmy Liu, who excel as the main duo. The production design and cinematography are impressive, although the special effects leave much to be desired.

This series offers a lively portrayal of challenges faced by individuals straddling two different worlds. It fails to fully delve into its themes and develop its characters. I found myself bored throughout its runtime.

No preconceived ideas

[trenaj-39545 · 10/10 · 28 May 2023]

I didn't know what to expect when this showed up on Disney +. I was looking for some light hearted fare. That's what I got. A coming of age teen action/fantasy drama with an Asian protagonist and a great Asian cast. It was well done. A mix of fantasy and some real teen issues as well as a mild glance at the racism that Asians experience in American society today. Not enough to depress or anger anyone. Some heartwarming moments. Some predictability. Since I have zero knowledge of the comics or mythology referenced and zero knowledge of any Chinese language, I was able to enjoy it fully.

I understand now that there are those who will have problems with the way they comic book characters were portrayed. Also some complaints about proper Chinese accents. That's pretty standard now anytime Hollywood brings superheroes and super villians to the screen. This was a pretty well thought out film. The anti diversity police will not be happy. I say Keep going Disney!

A Highschooler's perspective

[lienfox · 7/10 · 14 June 2023]

American Born Chinese Series Review Disney +'s adaptation of the fantasy book "American Born Chinese" starts with the introduction of an awkward Chinese American boy named Jin Wang. Jin Wang is a highschooler who plays soccer and dreams of fitting in with the other popular kids in his school. In these modern times, Jin meets the struggles of bullying and microaggressions through technology and shows. Jin meets another Chinese boy named Wei-Chen. Wei-Chen suddenly appears and immediately sticks to Jin following him around the school and joining him in his predicaments. Wei-Chen was on a mission, and he decided that Jin would be his guide. The two go through many ups and downs as they continue their searches.

The set and costumes for the actors were well made and they encapsulated the time period and the setting perfectly. Each character's style in clothing was believable and complemented the emotions and characteristics of the character. While the set and costumes were flawless, some of the characters lacked realistic interactions and emotions in a high school setting. Some scenes were used to continue the story line, but they brought the view out of their immersion due to the unrealistic actions taken by the characters. Although most movies and shows placed in a high school setting are unrealistic to true highschoolers, there could have been more of an effort to veer away from the basic high school stereotypes. This is to be expected since the show puts an emphasis on the fact that this was based in modern times with modern technology and presumably students of the younger generation.

Comparing this series to the original book is very difficult due to the vast differences in plot. The book was able to easily represent the three story lines and their connections through telling while the series relied on showing leaving room for misunderstandings and confusion on the viewers part. A prime example of this is the Danny story line in the book and the sitcom in the series. The book's story line made sense and ended up contributing to the overall story in many ways, on the other hand, the sitcom in the series didn't make sense to those who had not read the book or had not connected the story lines and its message was not as clear as the book. The series did its best to bring the 3 different timelines from the book together in an interesting way, but the message could have been portrayed in better ways than what the series went with.

Overall, I would give this series a 3.5/5 due to its interesting plot, lack of sticking to the original story line, and its ability to convey the message that the book wished to convey. The series pushed the storyline into modern times at the expense of the cohesiveness of the original story.

For an ABC this wasn't for me.

[SideshowBob626 · 5/10 · 29 May 2023]

As an ABC just a bit older than the main character Jin, I definitely recognized some of the themes they were going for however the show just didn't connect for me. On the surface, the situations that Jin experienced seemed familiar, but the dialogue just didn't seem genuine or relatable.

The Journey to the West parts were good, especially drunk Ronny Chieng. However, after going through half the season of trying hard to find aspects of the show I liked to keep me going, I can't stop cringing at all the scenes with Jin.

To me the writing is clunky and unnatural, the dialogue feels forced. The show is too heavy-handed with its message. They were trying to cram too much into too little time, and it didn't work. I had high hopes for the show, but it didn't deliver.

A lot better than I was expecting👍

[msnayelie · 8/10 · 27 May 2023]

Overall it was a pretty fun watch. It started off a bit awkwardly in the first episode but you quickly get used to it since it's really just the main character's personality, and im sure it was all intentional. Its also really funny throughout and the fight scenes were really energetic and engaging. A small nit pick of mine is that during a flashback scene of the monkey king and the bull demon, there was this silly little narration and old commercial/comic transition that i felt really reminded me of the actual novel. The reason it bothers me is because it played at what i think is the most inappropriate time it could have. It was supposed to be a serious scene buuut it kinda ruined it for me. I really wished the rest of the show implemented that creative way of story telling so it could stay a bit more true to the charm of the original book, but it never comes back. Other than that I ended up appreciating all the characters relationships with each other as i kept watching, mostly with Jin's parents and ESPECIALLY Freddy's story. In fact Freddy and his story is the best part of the whole series and I really hope that he gets more attention in upcoming seasons. The last thing i expected from this show was to get teary eyed with anything in it, but I definitely cant say that about Ke huy quans recent performances. So subtle yet powerful. Season one did an overall great job at setting up groundwork for future character and story developments, so I really hope they dont mess it up.

Hits every cliché possible

[aboalhyjaa · 6/10 · 2 June 2023]

But... in an ok way?

I didnt hate the show, neither did i love it. Maybe a little liking of the base this show was made from is the reason i binged it! I dont know, but if youre bored and looking for a new show to finish in one set i definitely recommend it.

On the other hand i felt like the cringe is wrapped up in this, which on my point of view potentially undermined the originality and impact of the story on the average viewer.

Cant stop myself from saying i was a bit disappointed, with this crew and with the unlimited resources of Disney i needed something stronger. But i was met with a very very bad cinematography and somewhat ok writing.

I did like the clash between traditional and modern societies though, so it wasnt all bad after all.

Totally connected

[scott-i-am · 8/10 · 19 June 2023]

This was so relatable and the awkward moments were worth watching. I cringed and knew every teenager was able to feel the pending disaster. I watched with the same feeling of "I can't watch this" with my hand over my eyes that made every John Hughes movie so great. It truly had moments from so many of my favourite coming of age movies but with action and special effects. I like that the parents are also dealing with some of the issues of self doubt and confusing cultural limitations that Jim is feeling. Confidence isn't conquered through popularity. It was always about self doubt and everyone is working on that their entire lives.

Entertaining blend of fantasy & reality

[harril-586-26745 · 7/10 · 27 May 2023]

The acting is excellent. I found all of the characters quite engaging, except the lead guy Ben Wang who plays an extremely selfish unlikeable kid.

Michelle Yeoh brings her regal, serene presence to the adventures and is well matched with Jimmy Iiu as Wei-Chen and Daniel Wu as the Monkey King. The tv comedy sitcom segments feature a crummy role for Ke Huy Quan, but he somehow managed to evoke sympathy for his accident-prone-stupid character. Jin Wang's non Asian friends come across as a fairly bland, one dimensional bunch of happy American kids who don't seem nearly as real as the Chinese gods.

Like Xiao Long Bao Perfection

[jerrychan-73787 · 10/10 · 2 June 2023]

3rd culture.

I first heard this term, strolling down a city in California, on my way to a trending dessert shop. Admittedly, I was fascinated by the name itself.

"What could that have meant?" I got the Asian part. The American too. But what could be the "3rd"?

Asian-American.

I was dumbfounded how simple the answer was. I anticipated a more complex or clever meaning behind it, I never expected it be be the combination of the two.

And that's when it hit me.

I always looked at my Asian-American heritage as just that, two separate identities melded forcibly together.

I never saw it as a fusion of something entirely new--coexisting as a separate harmonius identity.

Why bring this up, you might say?

Well, this so called "3rd culture" is the very driving force behind the show, American Born Chinese.

Now, there is a lot going on in this show. So much so, that it teeters on the edge of chaos. It juggles so many other themes and side stories around, that a small misstep could tear the whole thing a part. Like a good Xiao Long Bao. Delicate, but delicious. Risky hot soup, but rewarding flavor.

All in just 8 episodes!?

Truly a masterpiece that is worth the effort and time.

At the end of the day, it's not going to be for everyone. Asian or not.

And to that I say, more XLB for the rest of us!

Student Review

[lsrlandonsievers · 7/10 · 15 June 2023]

Disney's new rendition of the novel American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is an arguably well put together film series that people put their personal time and hard work into. The film mixing in scenes from the novel itself Aswell as giving the film its own type of change. Keeping the same change of Pov but instead of giving hints at connections the film puts out a more direct connection between points of view. The film and novel mix in the plot give the film a new feeling but keeps the charm of the novel. The film keeps the drama and the comedic moments that really shine in the book.

The film's plot does in fact differ from the novel's story line, for example the smaller details in the book that may give a view into someone's previous life or a previous event that could change the outcome of a decision. These missing events in the film do not take any of the feeling that the novel contains away from the film, but it may take away the closer connection with the character and viewer may have. Although the film does not have the viewer and character relationship feeling that the novel may have, the film has a livelier presentation of events throughout the film.

The novel and film have their differences but that is what makes the film have a nice spin on the original story. The plot is not the same, which gives the film a fresh feeling instead of it repeating the same storyline. In the film the main characters stay the same in the new film there are differences like events that the main characters go through or the trauma the characters experience. In the film, there are also new characters the viewers have not seen before in the original novel.

Overall, I would give the film 7/10 stars because of the eye-catching scenes and the story's plot. I genuinely enjoy watching the film.

Very Disney

[AsianTalentHollywood · 5/10 · 27 May 2023]

Being very Disney is neither good nor bad, it's about who the audience is that will enjoy this. As yet another Asian immigrant story instead of just an Asian American story it probably starts out limiting how big it's audience will be. This seems to be a constant where Hollywood is making stories about Asian Americans that makes them look non-American. They are important stories to tell, but it's continuing to limit opportunities for Asian talent. Now on to the actual show...this is basically every Monkey King movie made in China adapted in English to a Disney audience. So basically it won't have much appeal to adults. As a teen show it's fun and fantastical like The Monkey King movies, but like the movies, it's also mostly forgettable from the fantasy aspect. Playing on stereotypes for comedy is a bit cringe worthy at times, but somehow Ben Wang pulls it off and makes it feel less cringy. The casting is fine, but it also seems more of a "grab the obvious choices" than actual best casting. All of this adds up to something that doesn't suck but also isn't great.

A great lesson in Chinese mythology!

[alexanderhill-20859 · 10/10 · 28 May 2023]

This show is a great introduction to some main Characters in Chinese mythology. Sun Wokong (the Monkey King) is one of the most if not THE most important characters in Chinese Mythology and this show does a great job of introducing viewers to stories that have been around for many years in China. The characters are good and decently developed. Although it is a kids/teens show I would say the whole family can enjoy it. There are some great fighting scenes and I was interested to see how much Chinese language they used in the show. This is definitely a show for all ages and some great acting as well.

It was ok: lacking a main character worthy of watching.

[LukeCustomer2 · 6/10 · 26 December 2023]

Typically I am always saying they shouldn't try to explain things for American audiences. But I am so wrong about that here. At least 1/2 the series I had no clue what is happening and imho there was no attempt to explain anything. This left a mark on my enjoyment. Also, I had some problems with the main character (Jin Wang). He was a first class selfish jerk all during the series. The show makes some effort to portray his classmates as jerks but Jin is a jerk to them and to the nice, but strange, chinese classmate that shows up to move the plot along. It was stunning to me how many times people let the poor behavior go. The show tries to suggest that this is because of feeling like an out cast due to his asian ancestry but - get over yourself man! Most people in this series are shockingly nice to him. I just couldn't root for such a jerk.

Some decent moments, poor use of source material

[sineteesh · 3/10 · 29 May 2023]

This show had potential to integrate old Chinese/Eastern mythology with the super popular Monkey King and the universe he comes from, with the day to day life of a Chinese American teen trying to navigate his world. Sometimes, the show hints at reaching this potential, but fails to synchronize much of anything. The non English dialogue is lazily and inaccurately written, and the myth of the Monkey King, a centuries old story (featuring characters with thousands of years of cultural significance) that is one of the most iconic stories ever told in many Eastern cultures, is almost entirely misrepresented, to the point where the characters are little more than the actors wearing poorly crafted Halloween costumes. The patented monkey mannerisms are completely absent in both the Monkey King and his son, and the characters are barely recognizable to anyone who has seen any respected media renditions of the story. With the main villain plot being that the Bull Demon King is plotting an uprising against Heaven, it is laughable that there is NO consistent, if any, reference to the Monkey King's own war with Heaven that eventually set him on the path his Journey to the West arc, and all of the stories that came with it.

In the show, there is almost no passion or appreciation shown for the characters, the storyline of Journey to the West or the universe it takes place in, based off of stories from old Eastern religions of Buddhism, Taoism, and Heavenly Kingdom Spirits. It felt almost as if the writers just wanted to throw in a bunch of names, along with silly plot points, to get back to the main character and his high school life. The star power of Michelle Yeoh, Daniel Wu, Ke Huy Quan, and Ronny Chieng is simply not enough to cover up the half hearted writing and lines given to them to work with.

There are some redeeming qualities, with a few relatable snippets involving the main character and his parents, and the show makes some effort to recognize the negative imagery that has surrounded Asian characters on screen in western media. However, it is a weak protest that seems to imply that racism inevitably corrects itself with the passage of time. Quan's character does not even muster up the energy to directly condemn the portrayal of his show within a show character and its Long Duk Dong/Fez style imagery.

Overall, this is a colossal disappointment, even with modified expectations that the writers and producers would be fully accurate towards the myth material. This is not to say that there cannot be new directions for the old characters of legends and tales, but one cannot simply slap together a bunch of names and expect anyone with any appreciation or connection to them to flock to the product.

Wonderful show that I absolutely binged!

[bm230199 · 8/10 · 30 May 2023]

This show had everything from stunning visuals, interesting storyline, emotion and comedy. There were about 4 storylines running parallel to one another and they all fit together while contrasting better than any tv show I'd seen. For me Michelle Yeoh and Jimmy Liu were the standouts. Michelle was hilarious, stealing every scene she was in while also being regal and magestic. Jimmy was soooo endearing and I cannot believe he is not a seasoned actor, he is a future talent to watch. The stunts were brilliant and made even better with some of the cast being professional fighters. I really enjoyed how it showed what it's like to be an Eastern Immigrant in the West and the passive-aggressive racism POC experience. I cannot wait for season 2!

A show of two halfs

[bewwright · 7/10 · 2 July 2023]

This is two different shows: One is a fantasy drawing Chinese mythology the other is a Chinese American coming of age dramedy. The former is hackneyed silliness with terrible fight choreography and cinematography reminiscent of 'Ms. Marvel'. I loved Daniel Wu as Sonny in 'Badlands' but wirework blended with with cheap CGI always looks terrible. I wish that flowing style of Kung Fu was more 'Once Upon a Time in China', 'Fist of Legend' or 'Tai Chi Master' but the it ended up more 'Bullet Proof Monk'. The latter is fairly beautiful at moments with excellent writing, acting and cast chemistry (hence the solid score) that reminds me of 'Never Have I Ever' and 'Gilmore Girls'. Fortunately the two stories barely intersect and there is definitely a way to edit this to remove the fantasy altogether!