Zodiac: The Race Begins
Zodiac: The Race Begins (Chinese: 生肖传奇) is a CGI film produced by Singapore's Cubix Pictures. The film was released in the city state on January 26, 2006.
| Zodiac: The Race Begins | |
|---|---|
 Official movie poster for Zodiac: The Race Begins | |
| Directed by | Edward Fu |
| Produced by | Sky Li |
| Written by | Zhao Jing Chen |
| Starring | Dennis Chew Fann Wong Tom Arnold |
| Distributed by | Shaw Organisation |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Singapore |
| Language | Mandarin English |
It is Singapore's first 3D animated film and recounts the legend behind the ancient Chinese zodiac on how 12 animals came to be chosen as its symbols. Its script, researched by Singapore-based freelance playwright and former cross-talk celebrity Zhao Jin, incorporates eight myths.
In 2007, it was released in Malaysia on Disney Channel Asia in English.
Plot
The great Buddha gave the eminent Jade Emperor the task of ruling the celestial and mortal worlds. However, mortal human beings did not have an awareness of time, which spelt calamity. To avert this, the Jade Emperor gave a celestial order: "Let it be known in the mortal world, that I, the Imperial Jade Emperor, shall appoint 12 animals to ascend to the celestial world. These 12 species of animals shall represent a cycle of 12 years with each animal representing a year. Any humans born in a particular animal's year shall bear that animal's mark and his strength. This representation shall be known as the Zodiac."
But deep in the dark swamps, the thousand-year-old tree spirit, determined to thwart the plans of her long-time enemy, the Jade Emperor, sets forth to prevent the success of the Race by impeding the 12 chosen ones.
Cast
35 artists were cast in the voiceovers for the show. This includes prominent Singaporean actress Fann Wong and popular Singaporean DJ Dennis Chew.
- Dennis Chew as the Rooster, the Rat, Evil court official
- Tom Arnold as Ringo the Rat (American English)
- Fann Wong as the Snake
- Jamie Yeo
- Vernetta Lopez
- Colin Gomez
Critical response
Brian Costello of Common Sense Media gave this film a 1/5 stars, writing that the film "is rife with unlistenable songs, unlikeable characters, terrible acting, and the thinnest of storylines".[1]
External links