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| Universal (Australia). Region 4, PAL. 1.78:1 (16:9 enhanced). English DD 5.1, Cantonese DD 5.1. English Subtitles. 86 minutes |
| The Movie |
| Cover Art |
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| Credits |
Director: Ricky Lau
Starring: Lam Ching
Ying, Ricky Hui, Chin Siu Ho, Li Choi Fung
Screenplay: Chen Chi-Wai,
Barry Wong Ping-Yiu
Country: Hong Kong
AKA: Geung si sin sang |
Down at the local early republic period Chinese
mortuary chucklehead Man Choi is having trouble
keeping the vampires in line. When pranked by
Chou his co-worker, several of the traditionally
dressed vampires are accidentally awakened and
hop straight into attacking Man Choi in a slapstick
opening sequence. They are repelled by a mirror
and contained by the lad's Master, a Taoist Priest,
who thwarts all immediate vampire activity by
placing pieces of specially prepared paper on
their foreheads. If this doesn't sound like the
start-up to the average vampire flick, you're
right but stick with it as much western vampire
lore is ripped up and replaced by the infinitely
more complex and crazed Eastern version.
The Master is played by stern but wise Lam Ching-Ying,
former fight assistant to Bruce Lee and integral
part of the Sammo Hung stunt team. Hung is credited
as Mr. Vampire's production manager
and had already acted as the director and star
of the film that really launched the Chinese kung
fu horror film subgenre Encounters of
the Spooky Kind. As the mono-brow, anti-vampire
team leader, Ching-Ying went on to star in many Mr. Vampire sequels with a character
so definitive he was even personally awarded recognition
with the film entitled, New Mr. Vampire
2: One Eyebrow Priest.
Mr. Vampire's plot doesn't pick
up until the next day but it's episodic, jokefest
stylings are immediately established in the opening
sequence. As it transpires the Master is awarded
the job of re-burying a millionaire's father in
order to get the best feng shui. The businessman's
daughter is the stunning Moon Lee and her cousin,
a police captain, also figures prominently in
the action. Naturally, Man Choi and Chou bungle
the re-burial which results in the vampirisation
of the millionaire by his deceased father and
further trouble for the anti-vampire crew when
Pauline Wong as a vicious ghost girl turns up
to seduce Chou and fight the Master.
After some straightforward but funny situational
comedy involving the drinking of coffee, the police
investigation into the apparent death of the millionaire,
and Moon Lee being mistaken for a prostitute, Mr. Vampire evolves into a comedy
of terrors as the Master has to pull out every
trick in his Taoist kitbag to stop the full-on
marauding vampire which looks like a zombie with
fangs and has the strength of ten men (although,
ultimately, it takes less than half of that amount
to destroy him). Along the way Man Choi gets bitten
and begins to turn into a fully-fanged vampire
with long blue fingernails but is subdued with
a file and (like most Chinese vampires) sticky
rice. A highlight includes Pauline Wong's flying
ghost girl losing her head and half her face in
a fight with the Master. It all ends in a bone-breaking
and fiery finale. |
| Video |
| Traditionally, Chinese films keep consistently
high visual standards in just about every area except
that of special visual effects (both make-up and
optical) but Mr. Vampire is an
exception which held the bar aloft until the dawn
of the digital effects age. Aided and abetted by
an excellent transfer of spotless source material
you might sometimes have to wonder why superbly
crafted scenes of atmospheric horror are sacrificed
for lame sight gags like the introduction of the
conniving female ghost who sneaks onto the back
of Chou's pushbike only to be knocked off by a low
hanging branch, but you're just not going to encounter
such elaborate and relentless physical work anywhere
else involving vampires. Ultimately, the opticals
(this film is a product of the 80s) and make-up
effects (which never discount the use of blood and
gore) actually suit Mr. Vampire rather than just date it. |
| Audio |
| There's no music composer mentioned in English
for Mr. Vampire and I've never
seen one credited anywhere but the orchestral music
used is perfectly matched to the visuals whether
for creating spooky atmosphere or punctuating the
action. It should be noted that Hong Kong films
of the 80s were notorious for pinching scores and
despite the use of some traditional Chinese instruments
throughout Mr. Vampire some passages
may seem very familiar. Sound effects were also
another area of filmmaking that the Chinese paid
less attention to and nothing really stands out
in the surround mix but overall the soundtrack here
is very well-balanced and exciting to listen to. |
| Extra Features |
| Commentary, UK trailer and original Chinese trailer,
tribute documentary to Lam Ching-Ying, interviews
with Moon Lee and Chin Siu-Ho. The breathless commentary
from the very polite but highly informative Bey
Logan (who once edited the still existent action
film magazine IMPACT) is either the product of excellent
editing or the best set of lungs ever to be let
loose on a film soundtrack. Whatever, it's very
well worth spending the time listening to it whether
you think you know Hong Kong filmmaking or not. |
| The Verdict |
You're strongly advised to check outf Mr.
Vampire if you're remotely bored with the
latest Anglo non-variation on the vampire film or
perhaps wanting to key into the film who's influence
weighs heavily over Evil Dead 2 but be forewarned that physical comedy rules here.
No matter what way you view it, and you definitely
should, Mr. Vampire remains a high
water mark of 80s Hong Kong horror comedy.
From the excellent Hong Kong Legends series that
has also set an amazing standard of quality itself.
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