Anybody raised in the early late 70s' early 80's on BBC TV will feel a pang of excitement if you say the words "Monkey Magic".

The story has been popular throughout the world telling the tale of the Buddhist monk Tripitaka's journey to the west.

Originally a Chinese Ming dynasty tale, its been popularly transcribed and retold by the Japanese, none more popular than the TV drama produced by Nippon Television in the 70's.Not to leave a good story being un-told again and again Fuji Television are at it again this time with loveable joker from boy band SMAP Katori Shingo in the lead as "Son Goku" (or monkey god)

Having seen only two episodes so far its following the story as religiously as ever, you can expect Tripitaka and gang to come by a small village and meet YET ANOTHER waif daughter of a local priest who has to marry a demon of the underworld and Monkey, Sandy and Pigsy fight them off (Didn't this happen in every episode ?)

The production values don't seem as high as the original Masaaki Sakai version (its strange to see this man on Japanese TV just being normal, sans golden head band in his late 60's) which used proper film when recording, as a result the new version has a very "TV" feel, with occasional low budget CG effects here and there.

Its very chock socky and entertaining though I don't think it will have the same spread as its previous incarnation did, still Shingo does provide a striking image as a blonde Goku and the design of the updated Monkey outfit does leave me hankering for my own..