Monkey King: The Volcano is a 2019 Chinese fantasy adventure film directed by Lin Zhenzhao. It is the third instalment in the Monkey King franchise, following The Monkey King (2014) and The Monkey King 2 (2016). The film is based on the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West, and follows the adventures of the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang and his disciples as they navigate the dangers of the demon-filled world.
The story of Monkey King: The Volcano takes place as Tang Sanzang and his disciples, including Monkey King Sun Wukong, are travelling towards India to collect Buddhist scriptures. They must cross the dangerous Fiery Mountain, which is ruled by demons led by the Bull King. The Bull King has a personal vendetta against Sun Wukong, and their past conflict threatens to hinder the group's progress.
Along the way, the group meets a young demon girl named Zhu Baijie, who becomes Tang Sanzang's third disciple. They also encounter a group of rebels who are fighting against the demon control of the area, and join forces with them to defeat the Bull King and his army.
Throughout the film, Sun Wukong must confront his own past mistakes and the repercussions they have had on others. His redemption arc serves as a central theme of the movie. The film features stunning special effects and action sequences, as well as a heartwarming message about the importance of redemption and forgiveness.
Monkey King: The Volcano features a talented cast that includes Feng Shaofeng as Tang Sanzang, Aaron Kwok as Sun Wukong, Xiao Shenyang as Zhu Bajie, and Him Law as Sha Wujing. The film was a box office success in China, grossing over 1.2 billion RMB (around $175 million USD) in ticket sales.