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
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: "Can I trust a ghost?" Comment: Joey Wong plays a ghost who kills men for her master Old Evil. Her newest victim is Leslie Cheung who plays a scholar and he comes to town to collect money for his job, but him and Joey Wong end up falling in love. But Joey Wong is supposed to be marrying Lord Black. Luckily Leslie Cheung made friends with a Taoist swordsman played by Wu Ma and he tries his best to help the couple stay together.
I went into this expecting nothing so maybe that is why I was so blown away. The relationship between Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong is actually believable. Leslie Cheung comes across as such a caring person and Joey Wong can't kill him even though she has to or else she will be killed. Even when Leslie Cheung finds out he is in love with a ghost he can't change his mind about someone he has already fallen in love with.
Wu Ma also gives a great performance. This is the best role I have ever seen from him, and he has been around forever.
The action is good but that is not what this movie is about. This is a love story, not a fighting movie, so don't go into this expecting any hardcore action.
4/5
Customer Rating: Summary: Karma-Crossed Lovers Comment: I have watched this movie again and again, and it never stops being a lot of fun. Romantic and creepy, action-packed and humorous, deeply haunting and cheerfully light-hearted, it somehow manages to blend these diverse genres and moods into a wonderfully convincing mix. Some of the scenes are just breathtakingly beautiful, too. And I don't want to go reading too much into what is clearly meant to be (and suceeds in being) good simple entertainment, but anyone interested in how Taoism and Buddhism (significantly, they aren't very distinct here) actually operate in the popular imagination could spend days analyzing this enjoyable film.
It must be admitted that (as others have noted here) the subtitles are about the worst I've ever seen. While the dialogue doesn't necessarily have a lot of nuance, and while the story moves along primarily through visual means (one could probably pretty much follow the story with no subtitles at all), still, some proofreading and perhaps some consultation with someone whose first language is English might have been a good idea. Oh, well. Anyway, their garbled English is still better than my complete ignorance of Cantonese, so who's to complain?
So watch the movie and see for yourself. I bet you won't be sorry. Customer Rating: Summary: low-kicking non sequel, at least it doesn't continue anything from the last movie. Comment: Well I guess michelle is still a cop like she was in the last one, she just isn't funny or good whatsoever in this.
So I read a review that said that this is a michelle film and they are right. What they didn't say is that this is the most boring hong kong flick ever. Not one of them but the most boring and one of the stupidest.
The movie actually starts out really good but when Rongguang Yu leaves michelle to herself, there is a ton of standing around.
Oh yeah the iron monkey is in this, and not even he can save it. i actually think that he could have saved it, but whoever directed this was obviously trying to get into michelle's pants. So obviosly he didn't and he was maybe trying to ruin her career.
I love michelle and could make it through this, but if you liked supercop 1 and are expecting to see something similiar, DO NOT WATCH THIS.
Also jackie is in drag in this movie, his scene last for 2-3 minutes and it is one of the 3-4 bright spots in the movie. JACKIE YOU RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Customer Rating: Summary: Best of the three Comment: Erotic Ghost Story (the first film) is a thoroughly enjoyable romp featuring Chinese ghosts (wonderful creatures that can one moment be a whirlwind, then the next moment a voluptuous seductive vixen, then a savage wolf, then a zombie-like skeleton), with zany comedy, over-the -top "special effects", tons of nudity and simulated sex scenes.
Not that is pornographic - far from it. It is not even "soft-porn", or at least not in the usual sense. Having said that, the imaginative nature of the sex scenes somehow manage to be both titillating and comedic at the same time!
I disagree that it is a re-make of the Witches of Eastwick - the latter couldn't even touch this in terms of comedy and / or imagination.
This first film is far and away the best, the others (Erotic Ghost Story 2 and 3) are very poor imitations hoping to cash in on the success of the first.
My only complaint with this one is that I only own it on video tape.
I ordered the DVD from Amazon, and about 4 months later (after several notified extensions in the expected delivery date) I was told it was unavailable (Feb 2006) and I was not charged. But I am still looking forward to the time it becomes available again.
If you like Chinese films, Chinese comedy, nudity, or zany sex, you wont be disappointed. If you like all of these then this is the film for you. Customer Rating: Summary: Great Movie! Horrible subtitles. Nevertheless, a must see!!! Comment: This movie has everything from love/romance to superstition and myth.It gives the viewers a Philosophical message as well.For example, Wu Ma the Taoist in the movie, is trying to seek immortality and chants in the movie,very interesting(dont want to tell the whole story).The special effects are also done very well.Lesile Cheung and Wu Ma are excellent and subperb; they are great actors and their peformance is impeccable throughout the film. Overall, great film with some scenes that can be disturbing, but if you can get past that then its worth the trip... Also, a must see for zealous fans of Lesile Cheung.
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