In an incredibly colorful and incomprehensible explosion of fantastical storytelling and supernatural romance, A Chinese Ghost Story is a prime example of a film that decides to overload the viewer’s senses with creativity spilling out over the edges, for better or worse.
It’s now a landmark in Hong Kong cinema, as one of the works in the late eighties that turned heads towards that tiny landmass putting out flying swordsmen, outlandish stories and absurd action. But while the film is eternally praised for its excellence in every genre known to mankind, its action should not be one of them. It’s mostly dependent on a Taoist ghost hunter, outfitted with weapons and magic spells that require absurd wire-fu, awkward fight choreography and tacky special effects. The enemies aren’t as interesting as intended, nor are the fight scenarios and the film seems to compensate by simply becoming too insane for its own good.
However, there is something to be admired for its wholehearted cheesiness and Evil Dead style cinematic exuberance. Besides the poor action, nearly everything else in the film shines, from the bumbling tax collector played by a young Leslie Cheung to the alluring Joey Wong and their immediate chemistry. The production design is appropriately lavish and campy to make for an unmistakable visual composition and a distinct B-movie tone.
Viewers should know rather quickly whether this is a movie for them. Some may find it impossible to get past the out-dated style and the complete disregard for the viewer’s suspension of disbelief. It’s an obviously unrealistic and wild exercise in filmmaking, but most long-time HK film fans have had a special, nostalgic place in their hearts for the film. Most of the time I feel I can catch glimpses and momentary flashes of this type of appeal, but other times, I just don’t get it.
Reviewed by Tarun
