At least they changed the name of this show from its original working title, "The Monkey King" (as the book "Journey To The West" is generally known), acknowledging that it was not attempting to be remotely faithful to the original tale.
It would have been better to make a straight retelling of the book. As it is, there is about 30 minutes of compelling TV in this show -- unfortunately, those 30 minutes are spread over 4 hours.
I was frankly embarrassed by the treatment of Confucius as a petulant wisecracker and corrupt court politician, which I found offensive, and I am surprised that I haven't seen any complaints from Chinese-Americans on this score. But it's still early.
It would have been better to make a straight retelling of the book. As it is, there is about 30 minutes of compelling TV in this show -- unfortunately, those 30 minutes are spread over 4 hours.
I was frankly embarrassed by the treatment of Confucius as a petulant wisecracker and corrupt court politician, which I found offensive, and I am surprised that I haven't seen any complaints from Chinese-Americans on this score. But it's still early.