Sunday, May 8, 2011

Movie Review - A Chinese Ghost Story 倩女幽魂



Movie Synopsis - A Chinese Ghost Story 倩女幽魂
Movie Trailer - A Chinese Ghost Story 倩女幽魂

I've always been a fan of A Chinese Ghost Story. I watched the animated version and the version starring Leslie Cheung and Joey Wang. I watched it several times and I'm never bored with it. I find the story very original and amazing. So much creativity is required to write this story. The writer Pu Songling is my idol. When I first knew that there would be a remake for this movie, I was very excited. I told Jas that we must watch it. However, this new version comes with a different story line.

This new version tells the story in the view of Yan Chixia. I think Louis Koo did a great job in the role. He need to put up a look that tells the tale of a man who couldn't tell his loved one that he loves her because he choose to make her forget him. It is quite a confused character but Louis Koo did a great job because at the end of the movie, Jas and me felt sympathise for him. Liu Yifei as usual, not much facial expression. If she gives a little facial expression, it felt as though she is over reacting.

The flow of the movie was somewhat confusing. Throughout the whole movie, Jas kept telling me she didn't understand and I had to explain it to her. However, during the last half an hour, all pieces were put together and the whole movie makes sense to her. If I didn't read the reviews earlier, I would be in the same situation as her. I personally think the flash backs shouldn't be there in the beginning. It is confusing. 

The visual effects were noticeably fake but good effort to make it look real. The jokes were more of trying to be funny. This version is not as emotional as the original one but good enough to bring out the some emotions in the end. Honestly, Jas and me agrees that we feel so much better that Xiaoqian choose to die in the temple with Chixia. He sacrificed too much for the love and it would be very unfair if Caichen get the girl in the end.

Overall rating, 2/5. A movie with a relieved sad ending.

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