American Born Chinese perfectly blends realism and fantasy in a way that will have viewers of all ages completely engrossed in the story and lore.
American Born Chinese brings Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel to life in a way that will have viewers of all ages completely immersed in this world and eager for more. This eight-episode first season perfectly blends fantasy with realism, in a way that does great justice to the lore that it showcases. The cast gives this series their all, and it is easy to fall in love with each and every one of them.
Created for television by Kelvin Yu, American Born Chinese chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god. Jin Wang, played by Ben Wang, goes on a journey of self-discovery, told in a way that is hilarious and dramatic, and of course, packed with Kung-Fu.
Jin is extremely relatable, especially to the nerds out there. He likes comic books and action figures, but is afraid to let the cool kids at school know this. It even causes a rift between his cosplay loving best friend, Anuj. Many High School students go through this very same thing, as they struggle on what parts of themselves to show others or not.
He is Asian, but was born in America — hence the title. On top of hiding his interests, he tends to hide this part of his life as well. He seems to be embarrassed by his family and roots, until he is forced to lean into them in order to, quite literally, save the planet.
This adds a Young Adult element to the story. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that it is only for a younger audience, because again, this is something we can all find a part of ourselves in. The script is mature and doesn’t spend its time dumbing things down for its viewers. It trusts the teens and tweens that the story is aimed at, while opening itself up to a wider viewing audience in the process.
Not only does the film star Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan fresh off their Oscar wins, the rest of the cast is phenomenal as well. They all do a wonderful job portraying their characters in a way that will have you rooting for them all. Yes, even the “cool” soccer players by the end.
Every charter is a key element to making the story work. From the goofy stereotype that Ke plays in the series Beyond Repair, that is sprinkled throughout American Born Chinese, to the Monkey King himself who is featured not only in the heavens, but on Earth as well. Don’t worry Ke fans, he has an even more important role to play than just that, though.
For those who don’t know the lore at all, this show does a wonderful job of explaining everything that you need to know, when you need to know it. There is mention of the comic books and stories that were based off of the Monkey King lore (a long list in the final episode) which will have viewers realizing they DO know the story, they just didn’t know they did.
Which leads me to the visuals. They really went all out here. Not only are the heavens absolutely stunning, but the set pieces are extremely detailed. It truly feels like we are stepping into another world, which is where the fantasy aspect really shines. Add in the hair and makeup for the animals, such as the monkeys and pigs, and you will be blown away. They aren’t too overdone with CGI, and it seems like it is mostly, if not all, makeup. This is impressive and really helps to tell the story.
As I said earlier, there is a lot of Kung Fu action in American Born Chinese. Nearly every episode has at least one epic fight break out — and don’t even get me started on the finale. The choreography will make your jaw drop as you sit on the edge of your seat, it is that impressive.
Overall Thoughts
American Born Chinese is a wholesome and entertaining blend of teen drama, comedy, and fantasy. It tells the lore of the Monkey King, but it is so much more than that. With this incredible cast, it is impossible not to fall in love with all each and every one of them.
The visuals are stunning, the hair and makeup looks fantastic, and the story is filled with humor and heart. The eight episodes are an easy binge watch, as each one gets better than the previous one. The best part? It ends on a cliffhanger so there most definitely has to be more coming.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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About American Born Chinese
Based on Gene Luen Yang’s groundbreaking graphic novel that chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god. This is the story of a young man’s battle for his own identity, told through family, comedy, and action-packed Kung-Fu.
All episodes of American Born Chinese premiere on Disney+ May 24, 2023.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.