Doctor Vampire (1990) User Reviews

Western Vampire visits Hong Kong.

[OllieSuave-007 · 7/10 · 5 November 2014]

This is a Hong Kong horror comedy where Dr. Chiang Ta-Tsung (Bowie Lam), on business in England, unintentionally visit a brothel to find help after his car breaks down. The brothel turns out to be a lair for vampires who seduces men for their blood to feed their Vampire Master (Peter Kjær). Tsung becomes a victim to one of them named Alice (Ellen Chan), but she falls in love with him instead. And, Tsung returns home in Hong Kong, where he is being pursued by a reluctant Alice, who was ordered by the Vampire Master to bring Tsung back to their lair.

This film mixes in comedy, both humor and slapstick, and vampire action, with a little bit of the traditional Taoist magic seen in many conventional vampire movies thrown in. There is also some romance as seen in the love affair between Tsung and the lady vampire Alice. The plot is actually somewhat intriguing and gains some suspense when Tsung realizes that he possesses vampire traits and is on the verge of becoming one. When the Vampire Master enters the picture, it's one wild ride as Tsung, aided by Alice, attempts to escape the Master's grips, all the while Tsung's goofy doctor colleagues try to help.

I remembered renting this movie from the local video store all the time and enjoyed watching the acting, the humor and the vampire action. However, there are some ridiculous and rushed scenes, including the climax, which looked as if it was filmed in a hurry. What results isn't a bad horror comedy from Hong Kong - just not in the same league as some earlier vampire films of the '80s.

Grade B-

Not bad,slightly atypical mix of culture horror comedy is fine for a night when you want something not taxing

[dbborroughs · 5/10 · 30 March 2008]

Chinese doctor has his car break down in England. he wanders into a castle where vampires congregate. After having sex with a Chinese vampire he leaves, however his blood is so sweet the Chinese vampire is sent to Hong Kong bring him back. While in Hong Kong he begins to show signs of vampirism and his friends have to try to save him. Weird horror comedy thats an odd mixture of comedy horror and martial arts. Wandering all over the place with way too many ideas in its head this is a diverting little film that has just a few twists and touches (the vampire laser eyes) to keep you watching. Far from perfect it isn't a bad choice for those nights you want nothing taxing.

Daft, but amusing Hong Kong comedy-horror.

[lost-in-limbo · 7/10 · 15 April 2020]

DOCTOR VAMPIRE is your standard campy HK supernatural comedy, but very likeable with a premise that had an east meets west approach on its vampire lore. At times it had me thinking of the Jim Carry starring vehicle "Once Bitten", especially the scenes showcasing the doctor's new dress style. The story follows a Hong Kong surgeon, Dr Kueng (a fitting performance by Bowie Lam), who's on a business trip to Scotland and comes by a castle that's a bordello. Unknowingly to him vampires run the show and he falls under the spell of a Chinese lady, Alice (a wonderfully seductive turn by Ellen Chan). She bites him, without his knowing, and he returns back to Hong King where he starts to show signs of vampire characteristics. Where did she bite him, well, let's just say it wasn't on the neck and this leads to some humorous situations in its discovery. His girlfriend begins worrying about him, and the mysterious Alice suddenly turns up on his doorstep to save him from his affliction, and of course from her master the Count.

This master looks far from threatening and less so when tries to act it out. His appearance is like something of a 80s pop icon and I was a little unsure if he was meant to be an American or English vampire. Anyway the storytelling is so random with guys being guys, comedy of errors making way for sexual innuendos, relationship woes, mistaken perceptions and snappy banter. This is when the principal character starts showing the signs, acting strange and then when a method of reversing the inflictions is of no use, then coming to terms with what he has become. The gags can be self-knowing and the lowest dominator, yet it naturally flows becoming zanier as it goes along. By the third act when a Taoist shows up on the scene, everything is turned right up as now we get a hopping vampire with a hard-on, blue filtered lighting, oversized needles, a breast shish kebab, a laser battle standoff where the masters shoots red beams from his eyes, floating cranky Buddha statue granting special powers, levitating acrobats and an almighty explosion to finish it off. It's completely daft, but the timing of everything, from its shenanigans to thrills is spot on and the effects are lively with plenty of blood. I guess a hospital is a good place than any to stage it.

Low budget but enjoyable vampire comedy

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 9 April 2020]

DOCTOR VAMPIRE is another crazy low budget vampire comedy from Hong Kong. This one has some unique touches that makes it well worth checking out, as hero Bowie Lam visits England and finds himself menaced by some distinctly western Dracula-style vein biters. Back at his medical day job in Hong Kong, he soon finds himself succumbing to the vampire virus...

After the amusing opening sequence, DOCTOR VAMPIRE settles into familiar romantic comedy territory, with goofy supporting characters and a slightly more sexualised humour than is usual for this genre. Shing Fui-on has a nice extended cameo as an unlucky patient while the vampire humour is handled with aplomb. The second half picks up speed before building to a lavish, action-packed extended climax in which the assembled heroes battle against a powerful bloodsucker. Some laser effects and a smattering of bloodshed fulfil genre requirements and there are good performances from the reliable Crystal Kwok alongside the lovely Ellen Chan as a sympathetic vampiress.

A Typical Entertaining Hong Kong Film

[kensmark · 9/10 · 27 August 2002]

If you've seen a fair number of Hong Kong movies before, especially modern horror-comedies, then you probably know what to expect from "Doctor Vampire". If you *aren't* familiar with Hong Kong movies, then this movie will surprise and probably confuse you, although you'll likely think it's pretty funny.

Hong Kong movies are often a bit disorganized, by Hollywood standards, and "Doctor Vampire" is no exception. A few plot elements go nowhere; a few loose ends won't get tied up. Some scenes -- although worth seeing -- don't really seem to go with the rest of the film. It all adds up to a happy mess that's entertaining but may be a little disconcerting for newcomers.

The cast is pretty good, including HK hottie Ellen Chan as the female vampire, and with Crystal Kwok in a hilarious role as a sassy nurse. The two Caucasian actors don't come off as well, partly because of how poorly they're dubbed, but it just adds to the campy fun.

This is basically a romantic comedy, light on the romance and heavy on the comedy, with a little kung fu and horror thrown in for good measure. There are a number of surprisingly funny moments, many of which have little to do with the plot but are definitely worth having.

People looking for a more serious HK vampire film should check out "Mr. Vampire" or Sammo Hung's "Close Encounters of the Spooky Kind". Those who see and like "Doctor Vampire" will probably also like another HK vampire romantic comedy, "A Bite of Love".