A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella

Five centuries before the present, Joker the Monkey King finds himself hurled into a strange past where time and myth collide. This follow up to Pandora's Box lightens the weight of ancient legend with bright humor and fantasy as he tries to stop a creeping threat to Pak Jing-Jing, a mortal whose life hinges on magical aid. On his perilous road he encounters grotesque monsters, seductive schemers, and overpowered foes, yet he forges improbable alliances. Romance threads through the quest, and our quick witted hero questions his own place among gods and humans. The film pairs chaos with charm and dazzling spectacle, while keeping twists and surprises safely out of the spoilers.

Directed by Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai, this installment preserves Lau's playful approach to the Buddhist epic drawn from Wu Cheng'en. Stephen Chow stars as Joker Monkey King, joined by Richard Ng as Piggy and Athena Chu as Lin Zixia, with Ada Choi and Yammie Lam in key roles.

The film helped cement Stephen Chow's signature blend of slapstick humor with martial fantasy. Its bright set pieces, self aware humor, and bold visual style left a mark on mid 90s Chinese cinema, shaping later fantasy comedies and reinforcing the Monkey King as a pop culture icon.

Critics praised its energy, inventive visuals, and witty dialogue while balancing romance with self parody. The story toys with identity and destiny amid spectacular battles, suggesting myth can be playful as well as heroic, and leaving audiences with a sense of wonder and humor.