Review: 'Ne Zha II,' an epic animated Chinese fantasy, arrives in an English-language dub — which doesn't relieve all the cultural barriers

The Chinese animated fantasy epic “Ne Zha II” is one of the most visually stunning movies you’re likely to see in your lifetime — but with a densely packed storyline that people who haven’t seen the first “Ne Zha” movie, or aren’t versed in Chinese mythology, will find confusing.

Give it time, and don’t sweat the details, and “Ne Zha II” will reveal its splendor to all.

There’s a quick, but dense, recap of the legend that is “Ne Zha II’s” jumping-off point. The short version: There are two supernatural objects, the demon orb and the chaos pearl — which manifest themselves into two young warriors, Ne Zha representing the fiery red demon orb and Ao Bing the icy pearl. The two were destroyed in the events of the first movie, but their spirits remain. But when Ne Zha’s master, Taiyi Zhenren, tries to create new bodies for them, he can only create one — so Ne Zha and Ao Bing agree to share Ne Zha’s body until they can create a second one.

The two spirits, uneasily sharing the pint-sized Ne Zha’s body, are assigned by the wizard Master Wuliang to perform three tests, all of them involving dragons. The trials are difficult, even more so because Ne Zha has trouble relinquishing control of his body to Ao Bing, who’s a more experienced fighter.

Director Jiao Zi uses his richly realized animation to create entire worlds to populate — while also setting action pieces filled with jaw-dropping wonder. There are numerous icons of Chinese mythology depicted here, none more ferocious than Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East, who’s also Ao Bing’s father.

All of that, and what comes after, is actively delightful to watch — but a bear to follow the plot’s logic. I’d recommend people seek out the original “Ne Zha,” so you don’t feel like you’re walking into “Avengers: Endgame” without ever seeing any Marvel movies before that.

“Ne Zha II,” which has made a reported $2 billion in global box-office receipts, is being released with an English-language dub. The cast’s most familiar voice is that of Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) voicing Ne Zha’s mother, Lady Yin, the protector of the fortress that guards humankind from the whims of demons and dragons.

If you can keep up with the plot (it’s not Shakespeare or anything), the movie rewards with gorgeous spectacle and breathtaking action. It’s some of the most spectacular animation you’re likely to see this year — and enough to make lovers of animation seek out the first “Ne Zha” movie.

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‘Ne Zha II’

★★★

Opens Friday, August 22, in theaters everywhere. Not rated, but probably PG-13 for animated violence and destruction. Running time: 143 minutes.