Sydney: Most mainstream Australian cinemas have significantly increased their screening schedules of the latest box-office hit -- Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" -- this week due to the strong demand from local audiences.

According to Namibia Press Agency, cinemas in major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide have integrated the Chinese film's screenings into their schedules this week, extending until February 19 in most regions. Notably, a cinema in Perth, Western Australia, scheduled 13 screenings on Saturday alone, most of which had few empty seats.

C.L. Chadwick, a viewer from Adelaide, expressed his admiration after watching "Ne Zha 2": "From the first minutes, I was impressed by the quality of the animation and art direction. By the time the film rolled to a close, I was under the impression that I had just seen the highest quality animation of my lifetime. Beautifully articulated, every moment of the film is a visual spectacle."

The film illustrates that the Chinese film industry can achieve technical and design excellence comparable to, or even surpassing, traditional Hollywood productions, Chadwick noted. "Ne Zha 2" has even surpassed "Captain America: Brave New World" in pre-sales in Australia, despite having a smaller release, according to a post by "Charlie" on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"Ne Zha 2" had been showcased in advance screenings in Sydney since Monday, with almost all advance showings fully booked this week. The overwhelming demand has led cinemas across Australia to increase their screenings.

As the sequel to the 2019 animated blockbuster Ne Zha, "Ne Zha 2" draws inspiration from the 16th-century Chinese mythological novel "The Investiture of the Gods." It has already become the first film to gross one billion U.S. dollars in a single market and is the first non-Hollywood title to enter the billion-dollar club.

Raskolnokov789 praised the film in an online forum, saying, "Just saw it in IMAX. Had high expectations and was not disappointed. The fights were EPIC, with such intricate and creative designs. Not a boring minute during the whole run. 10/10 from me."

Another forum user, ltvd-47777, shared their thoughts: "The colors, martial arts choreography, costumes, and scenery are all top-notch. For me, the best part of the movie is the plot. I watched it alone last night and experienced a whirlwind of emotions. The relationships between family members and friends are deeply touching, with each family showcasing its own unique dynamics filled with love, support, and sacrifice."