TV Series Review: The New Legends of Monkey (2018)
The New Legends of Monkey is a fantasy and adventure series from Australia and New Zealand, available on Netflix. It’s a reboot/continuation of the Japanese cult classic series Monkey, which gained popularity in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK during the ’70s and ’80s. Since I haven’t seen the original series, I can’t compare its feel and tone to this new iteration.
This series is entertaining, with a perfect combination of playful humor, well-choreographed action, and a universally appealing quest narrative. It brings to mind ’90s shows like Young Hercules, Xena: Princess Warrior, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, or even Relic Hunter. The show offers good, clean fun with an ensemble cast that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
At its core, The New Legends of Monkey tells the story of a young monk named Tripitaka (Luciane Buchanan) who embarks on a mission to rid an ancient, fantastical world of evil demons. She is joined by three gods: Monkey (Chai Hansen), Pigsy (Josh Thomson), and Sandy (Emilie Cocquerel).
Let the Quest Begin
In this world, the gods have been killed, captured, or have gone into hiding, leaving demons to rule. However, a scholar of ancient texts plans to challenge the demons by freeing the imprisoned Monkey King and gathering the Heavenly scrolls. These scrolls, stolen by Monkey over 500 years ago and hidden around the world, caused him to incur the wrath of the immortals, leading to his imprisonment by his own kind.
Monkey is a Maui-like (from Disney’s Moana) character – an arrogant immortal, full of bravado and mischief, who doesn’t always think things through.
The scholar’s plans falter when he and his followers are killed by demons. With his dying breath, he entrusts his adoptive daughter to complete the mission. She must release the Monkey King, collect the scrolls, and banish the demons. To achieve this, she disguises herself as a male monk named Tripitaka, shaving her head and binding her breasts before setting out.
On her journey, she gathers allies, including the Monkey King, whose inflated ego struggles with his diminished powers after years in captivity. The world has changed in 500 years, with demons ruling and their rise to power linked to Monkey’s theft of the scrolls. Now, Monkey has to set things right, which is tricky since he can’t admit any faults or mistakes.
Good, Clean Fun
The New Legends of Monkey is a delightful, action-packed series with likable characters and strong chemistry among the lead ensemble. The story, while familiar, is compelling and uses well-known tropes and archetypes effectively.
The show is filled with humor that appeals to both kids and adults, and you’ll find yourself laughing out loud, particularly at Monkey and Pigsy’s antics. While it can be cheesy at times, that’s part of its charm.
If you’re looking for a fun and family-friendly series, give The New Legends of Monkey a try. Its ten episodes fly by, leaving you eager for more seasons.
Content Note: Rated TV-PG. The show contains some tense situations and choreographed violence, but no offensive language, gore, or nudity.
Where to Watch: Netflix
