Amazon.com Essentials:
This popular and beloved film, produced by Tsui Hark and
directed by
Ching
Siu Tung, is a standout in the Hong Kong supernatural-action genre and
spawned many sequels and copycats. A Chinese Ghost Story stars
Leslie Cheung as Ning Tsei-Shen, a timid and likable tax collector.
Looking for a place to stay the night, he comes upon a spooky abandoned
temple occupied by a tough Taoist swordsman (Ma Wu). Despite his
warnings,
Tsei-Shen stays anyway. Later he encounters a beautiful maiden (Joey
Wang)
who he quickly falls in love with. Unfortunately, she is a ghost who
is
being forced to trap men for an evil spirit who feeds on their souls.
A
Chinese Ghost Story has been widely praised for infusing the genre
with
humor, action, romance, and inventive special effects. Memorable images
include an attacking mile-long tongue and a cloak opening to dozens of
ghastly decapitated heads. The final battle in hell is said to have
inspired scenes in Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness. And the film
has
its share of homage: A group of crusty zombies are reminiscent of the
skeletons in special-effects guru Ray Harryhausen's 7th Voyage of
Sinbad--and they are eliminated by Tsei-Shen in comedic slapstick
fashion, not unlike the style of Charlie Chaplin. Cheung and Wang are a
likeable romantic pair, and Ma Wu creates a hilarious character who
breaks
out into song and a martial arts dance when drunk. The DVD transfer is
topnotch\
, with the film's misty mood lighting and fluttering gowns appearing
layered and crisp. It's a must-see for Hong Kong action film fans.
--Shannon Gee
