Ranked #3554

Alakazam the Great

Saiyuki fans the world over, if you have not watched this than there is something missing from your fan obligations that need be filled in immediately. This beautifully animated film from 1960 depicts the famous “Journey to the West” in a classic style that has set the foundation for generations to come. The legendary Story of Son Goku: The Monkey King in his epic adventure “Journey to the West” has been retold many times over since its publication 1590 and since then has generated much popularity. Everything from Dragon Ball to Forbidden Kingdom has draw inspiration from this amazing story. The Monkey King/ Alakazam the Great is one of the most well executed retelling of this classic tell and is a pillar of historical foundation for the 60’s as well as anime as a whole for coming along during the birth of this great genre’s lifespan.
The animation for its time is quite advanced and done with great finesse. With the exception of a few other films, no other anime during that decade can match up to the beauty of this film’s animation and vibrancy. Voice acting during this day and age is not the best, but is easily over shadowed by its ability to continue on track telling its story. It fuses tasteful tid- bits of 1960 technology during the ancient times of this story such as telegraphs and pistols as well as things that haven’t even been created to this day like video telephones. All in good fun, of course. It’s a wonderful family film that is beyond enjoyable with lots of adventure, song, dance, mystery, magic and fantasy. Anyone who watches this film will quickly learn to grow with Alakazam/ Son Goku on his journey to learning humility, mercy and wisdom. I thoroughly impress upon any otaku or person who is interested in the “Journey to the West” story to enjoy this film and add it to your resume of films viewed. You won’t regret it.
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Based off the Monkey King character from the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West (Journey of the West being the inspiration for other cartoons like Dragon Ball Z), this is the story of Alakazam the Great and his journeys after becoming king of the monkeys. I watched it not expecting much after seeing a lot of low-budget early anime, but I was surprised by the great characters like Alakazam, and especially the pig Sir Quigley, whose character design is straight out of John and Joy Halas' Animal Farm.

The American dub was really well-done, and actually pretty funny at some times. The movie as a whole is pretty lighthearted, and extremely imaginative. Magic is an important aspect of the movie, and the different ways Alakazam uses it never failed to be interesting. As far as the animation goes, it looks like it was very influenced by classic Disney animation. The fact that it's narrated by the voice of Disney-regular Sterling Holloway (the voice of Winnie the Pooh, and Kaa in the Jungle Book) adds to the Disney feel. The animation has aged well, more than a lot of anime from this time. read more