Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
While living as an ordinary deliveryman and motor racing fan, Nezha encounters old nemeses and must rediscover his powers to protect his loved ones.
New Gods: Nezha Reborn is a visually stunning donghua that boldly reimagines the classic Chinese mythology of Nezha in a diesel-punk, cyberpunk-infused modern cityscape — an immediately distinctive visual and tonal conception that earns high marks for both cinematography and novelty. The worldbuilding and action choreography are breathtaking, blending wuxia energy with modern street racing culture in a way that feels genuinely singular. The plot, while entertaining and emotionally resonant in places, follows a fairly predictable hero's-journey arc of rediscovery and self-sacrifice that limits its ceiling. Voice acting is competent but rarely elevates the material above serviceable. The ending delivers satisfying spectacle but relies on conventional mythological confrontation beats without fully capitalizing on the fresh premise established earlier.