Fantasia'19 Film Review - White Snake

Light Chaser Animated Studios team with Warner Brothers for a big push into the west with this origin story of one of the core four Chinese Folklore tale. The Universal theme of forbidden love is explored. Here, a demon snake that can take the form of a woman Blanca (Zhang Zhe Voice) falls in love with a human Xuan (Yang Tianxiang) after suffering amnesia. The story is set in the Tang Dynasty 500 years before the traditional tale.

Blanca is given a powerful Jade pin by her sister Verta (Tang Xiaoxi voice) She is ported to the Tang Dynasty time to assassinate evil general (Zhan Yaohan voice) alongside his second Little General (Zhang Boheng voice) collect and use the essence of snakes with the thought it will lead them to immortality. The local village where Xung lives is terrorized by the General's as they demand that the villagers catch snakes for them or suffer extreme consequences meaning every villager from a very young age is inundated with a hatred of snakes and demons.

The visuals from Light Chaser Studios are the must-see aspects of the film. From the outset when we first meet Blanca rich colours flow across the screen circling up into lush clouds and black smoke rings. Water presents in a deep crystal blue fabric flows freely easily around the players form making the viewer sense that they can her it rippling.

White Snake is an ambitious piece by a burgeoning Chinese animation studio. Known to all cultures the story contains valuable lessons on tolerance and prejudice. The film does have a smattering of adult content that would no make it suitable for children. It's a feast for the eyes that needs to be seen on the big screen to truly be enjoyed.

*** Out of 4.

White Snake | Amp Wong / Ji Zhao  | China /U.S.A.| 2019 | 99 Minutes.

Tags: Amination, Fantasy, Romance, Hairpin, Jade, Amenisia, Giant Python, Umbrella, Tang Dynasty, Assassin, Pagoda.