This Hong Kong period film was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I remembered being in awe seeing Cherie Chung, whom I was used to seeing star in comedies and romance films, appear as the lead female elf, Hsiao-Hsueh. While in her original form, a swallow, she was rescued by poor scholar named Lo Chih-Chiu (Anthony Wong) and later reveals to him in her demon form that she is a servant of an evil witch queen (Ivy Ling) that feeds on human blood. When the witch discovers Hsiao-Hseuh and Chih-Chiu's relationship, she nearly kills him but ultimately spares his life on the condition that Hsiao-Hseuh and Chih-Chiu separate. However, shortly after, Hsiao-Hseuh escapes the witch's lair and reunites with Chih-Chiu, disguised as another human being with a different name.
I know many people think this film references a lot of elements from the more popular A Chinese Ghost Story, which I haven't seen before this one. But, I've still enjoyed this film immensely, watching it repeatedly and being entertained by all the fantasy elements, from the flying and frost-spewing Hsiao-Hseuh rescuing Chih-Chiu from evil warlords to the warrior Feng Cheng-Tien's (Norman Chu) ongoing battle with the witch queen. All the actions were highlighted in believable and great special effects and the story flows rather well. The music soundtrack was quite haunting and rather catchy, despite the 80s-themed toned to some of the music.
The chemistry between Hsiao-Hseuh and Chih-Chiu was a nice touch of drama and their relationship being threatened and forbidden by the witch queen gave the plot suspense. Even more suspenseful was Hsiao-Hseuh's courageous defiance of the witch in trying to fend off her more powerful magic to to save Chih-Chiu, as well as the love-hate relationship between Hsiao-Hseuh and her sister, Hsiao-Shuang (Annie Ngai). Just seeing the elves flying around using their long silk sashes as weapons is an awesome fantasy element. Rounding off the cast is the dueling warrior brothers, Hsiang Yu (Richard Ng) and Hsiang Tso (Eric Tsang), who provided much of the comic relief in the film.
***spoiler ahead, ending is given away*** The scene where the witch queen deals the death blow to Hsiao-Shuang has always haunted me, and the scene where Hsiao-Hseuh returns to her original form gave the film a rather bitter-sweet ending. Also, I've wished the the warrior Feng was given more screen time, and more chances to punch around that witch queen. ***spoiler ends***
Overall, this fantasy movie holds up quite well through time and still serves as good entertainment for me. It may not be equal in quality to A Chinese Ghost Story, but, it's still a great film. It's even among my dad's favorite Hong Kong films.
Grade A-
I know many people think this film references a lot of elements from the more popular A Chinese Ghost Story, which I haven't seen before this one. But, I've still enjoyed this film immensely, watching it repeatedly and being entertained by all the fantasy elements, from the flying and frost-spewing Hsiao-Hseuh rescuing Chih-Chiu from evil warlords to the warrior Feng Cheng-Tien's (Norman Chu) ongoing battle with the witch queen. All the actions were highlighted in believable and great special effects and the story flows rather well. The music soundtrack was quite haunting and rather catchy, despite the 80s-themed toned to some of the music.
The chemistry between Hsiao-Hseuh and Chih-Chiu was a nice touch of drama and their relationship being threatened and forbidden by the witch queen gave the plot suspense. Even more suspenseful was Hsiao-Hseuh's courageous defiance of the witch in trying to fend off her more powerful magic to to save Chih-Chiu, as well as the love-hate relationship between Hsiao-Hseuh and her sister, Hsiao-Shuang (Annie Ngai). Just seeing the elves flying around using their long silk sashes as weapons is an awesome fantasy element. Rounding off the cast is the dueling warrior brothers, Hsiang Yu (Richard Ng) and Hsiang Tso (Eric Tsang), who provided much of the comic relief in the film.
***spoiler ahead, ending is given away*** The scene where the witch queen deals the death blow to Hsiao-Shuang has always haunted me, and the scene where Hsiao-Hseuh returns to her original form gave the film a rather bitter-sweet ending. Also, I've wished the the warrior Feng was given more screen time, and more chances to punch around that witch queen. ***spoiler ends***
Overall, this fantasy movie holds up quite well through time and still serves as good entertainment for me. It may not be equal in quality to A Chinese Ghost Story, but, it's still a great film. It's even among my dad's favorite Hong Kong films.
Grade A-