Although Stephen Chow’s last few films were released in the U.S. by Miramax and Sony Pictures Classics, it appears that his newest film Journey to the West turned out to be (ironically) a much harder sell in the West. Magnolia Pictures have picked up the rights and will give it a VOD release in March, which seems like a better fit for his stuff anyway. It doesn’t change the fact that back in China the movie broke several box office records and remains Chow’s most successful movie to date.

Journey to the West essentially builds on the cartoony live action / CG madness featured in Kung Fu Hustle and throws all kinds of fantastical creatures into the mix as well. It stars Zhang Wen (The Sorcerer and the White Snake) as a young Buddhist trying to protect his village from three demons with the help of a female demon hunter (Qi Shu). It looks like a complete mess but it also looks like it could be a lot of fun. Journey to the West hits theatres and VOD on March 7th; check out the trailer after the jump and let us know what you think.