MINI REVIEW: Chang'an (2023)
2023 has been an absolute goldmine for Chinese animation!
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What I like about animation movies is that, even though they appear to be childish, there is usually something in it for everyone.
However, this might be one of those movies where a mature audience was certainly the target audience in mind.
Knowledge of Chinese history and specifically Chinese poetry will go along way in enjoying this film, but fret not. If you’re here just for the animation and to learn something, this movie has you covered as well.
Lightchaser Animation, the studio behind the movies Green Snake, New Gods Nezha Reborn and New Gods Yang Jian are once again at their best here, showing off why are the leaders in Chinese animation films, but unlike their last few films where they’ve taken a classic mythical character and thrown them in an unfamiliar (for the audience) setting, this time they’ve stuck to the time period of an actual historical character and attempted to tell a type of biographical tale.
PLOT
Set during the Tang Dynasty, just as a rebellious army threatens to capture a fortified city, a supervising army official demands that Govenor Gao Shi retells to him the story surrounding his friendship with a famous poet called Li Bai.
As the army descends on their location, the General provides him with intricate details about their initial meeting, their friendship, their subsequent encounters, their struggles to become powerful figures in the Tang Dynasty and Li Bai descent into reclusiveness as a Taoist.
ABOUT THE FILM
There are a few things that will immediately stick out to you. The length and the animation style are the first, then its followed by the rather elaborate yet easy to follow story that showcases the friendship between Gao Shi and Li Bai.
It’s worth remembering that these two, as well as almost every other character you meet, are real historical figures who existed during the time period, and the poetry they wrote is not just famous in China, where it’s taught to students in schools, but worldwide.
Poetry verses make a large portion of a dialogue, but luckily for us the English translation is excellent.
Lightchaser have brought their unique animation style to this film, which eschews realism for a more stylistic choice where all male characters have large broad shoulders and upper bodies with skinny legs, while all the animals - specifically the horses - look like an oil barrel with a pointy nose and four matchsticks for legs. It’s quite an unusual yet not-too-jarring visual appearance that you get used to. Having said that, the actual animation at times can be a little awkward, but scenes are always colourful and packed to the brim with enough details to distract your eyes.
But this is a long film. It seemed determined to cover as much about Li Bai’s life as it possibly could without breaking itself up into two films, so be prepared for a rather slow first hour before it picks up its pace.
I wouldn’t think this is a movie that is recommended for children. There are no talking animals and the language is rather complex, however even with all those considerations, it’s amazing to think this film was the 7th Highest Grossing film in the Chinese box office for 2023, beating films such as The Meg 2, Fast X, Top Gun inspired Born to Fly and the propaganda filled war epic The Volunteers To The War.
What are my overall thoughts?
I really enjoyed this film, even though it was almost 3 hours long and I knew nothing about Chinese poetry or who these historical figures are.
But there is a charm in this film, and it’s thoroughly entertaining from start to end.
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Genre Animation
Director Junwei Xie, Jing Zhou
Starring Tianxiang Yang, Zhenhe Ling
Original Title 长安三万里
Country of Origin China
Release Date 8 July 2023
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