The visuals and effects are up to par with the the original film and provide a lot of entertainment even if the storyline is essentially the same as the first two films. It also seems a lot more erotically charged than I remember the other films being. If you're a big fan of flying prehensile hair and tongues that can reach all the way down into your stomach, you'll like this film.
15 Reviews
A Fantastic Film And End To The Trilogy!!
Movie-Misfit18 January 2020
Once again, we start off with a flashback to part one, reminding us of the battle between Leslie Cheung and Wu Ma, against the Tree Devil - with Wu letting us know that the demon will rise again in 100 years...
So, 100 years later.
Many fans have pointed out that this sequel is pretty much just a rehash of the original story, and yes, in many ways it is - Monk Tony Leung and his master are travelling the land and seek shelter in bad weather. Suddenly, a gang of men appear getting chased down and sliced up by an angry swordsman who just wants back what they stole. As with David Lam in part one, Jacky Cheung (in a brand new role) beheads them all, with the blood splashing up Tony Leung's face ala Leslie Cheung in his original opening!
And so it goes on. While it may certainly have many similarities to the first, A Chinese Ghost Story 3 almost makes fun of it at the same time (without being too ridiculous) and looks like it had a much higher production value than its predecessors.
Lau Siu Ming returns as the Tree Devil, looking fresh and even more twisted after his century of imprisonment. It doesn't take long for ghostly vixen Joey Wong to entice a group of men indoors, and soon we get to see that killer tongue back in action! In fact, quite a number of tongues...
The awesome Tony Leung is a great replacement to Leslie Cheung, adding a great charm and likeability to his character with perfect comic timing and acting. I really enjoyed him in this role!
As mentioned, Joey Wong is back, and thankfully as a ghost again since her change of roles in part 2. She tries her luck seducing the young monk, and after failing, unleashes some insane hair as a weapon. It didn't last long, but it was a pretty cool sight - And Nina Li Chi joins in the fun as a ghostly colleague of Wong's also.
The cinematography is as awesome as always, playing with colour, light and smoke with plenty of great shots throughout and wonderful night-lighting. Although a remake of sorts, the film still comes across fresh, with a cinematic seductiveness that is helped along for a third time by the beautiful score from James Wong and Romeo Diaz.
The end battle just goes from 0 - 100 in seconds, bringing to the screen some of the most insane stuff ever committed to film. From giant killer tongues to huge rock monsters, an evil house that comes to life, a flying carpet, Tony Leung becoming a golden buddha, and Jacky Cheung's super armour that allows him to run like The Flash, rivalling that of Zu Warriors for its sheer madness, inventiveness and energy!
Overall: Tsui Hark and Ching Siu Tung succeed in closing one of the greatest Hong Kong trilogies with a fantastically fun chapter that highly entertains!
So, 100 years later.
Many fans have pointed out that this sequel is pretty much just a rehash of the original story, and yes, in many ways it is - Monk Tony Leung and his master are travelling the land and seek shelter in bad weather. Suddenly, a gang of men appear getting chased down and sliced up by an angry swordsman who just wants back what they stole. As with David Lam in part one, Jacky Cheung (in a brand new role) beheads them all, with the blood splashing up Tony Leung's face ala Leslie Cheung in his original opening!
And so it goes on. While it may certainly have many similarities to the first, A Chinese Ghost Story 3 almost makes fun of it at the same time (without being too ridiculous) and looks like it had a much higher production value than its predecessors.
Lau Siu Ming returns as the Tree Devil, looking fresh and even more twisted after his century of imprisonment. It doesn't take long for ghostly vixen Joey Wong to entice a group of men indoors, and soon we get to see that killer tongue back in action! In fact, quite a number of tongues...
The awesome Tony Leung is a great replacement to Leslie Cheung, adding a great charm and likeability to his character with perfect comic timing and acting. I really enjoyed him in this role!
As mentioned, Joey Wong is back, and thankfully as a ghost again since her change of roles in part 2. She tries her luck seducing the young monk, and after failing, unleashes some insane hair as a weapon. It didn't last long, but it was a pretty cool sight - And Nina Li Chi joins in the fun as a ghostly colleague of Wong's also.
The cinematography is as awesome as always, playing with colour, light and smoke with plenty of great shots throughout and wonderful night-lighting. Although a remake of sorts, the film still comes across fresh, with a cinematic seductiveness that is helped along for a third time by the beautiful score from James Wong and Romeo Diaz.
The end battle just goes from 0 - 100 in seconds, bringing to the screen some of the most insane stuff ever committed to film. From giant killer tongues to huge rock monsters, an evil house that comes to life, a flying carpet, Tony Leung becoming a golden buddha, and Jacky Cheung's super armour that allows him to run like The Flash, rivalling that of Zu Warriors for its sheer madness, inventiveness and energy!
Overall: Tsui Hark and Ching Siu Tung succeed in closing one of the greatest Hong Kong trilogies with a fantastically fun chapter that highly entertains!
Those beautiful Chinese ghosts are at it again!
Keltic-212 July 2000
If the movies are to be believed, Chinese ghosts are much prettier and more mischievous than their Western counterparts. The storylines of the three 'Chinese Ghost' films are largely identical, but the direction is excellent and the detail and colour is such that it's not a huge problem. As always, humour is an integral part of the film, accompanied, of course, by a great deal of mugging. For those who haven't encountered the 'Chinese GhostStory' trilogy yet, this film offers an interesting departure from the Western horror/ghost genre; for those who have, another enjoyable romp in the Chinese ghost world.
A REHASH Chinese Ghost Story
phanthinga9 November 2018
This so called part 3 of A Chinese Ghost Story series is not a follow up sequel to the first two movie but actually a remake/reboot when it take place 100 years in the future with a brand new couple and a new exorcist master but with the same Devil Tree and plot.It definitely got the charm of an over the top fantasy kung-fu movie you would expect from Siu-Tung Ching and Hark Tsui so personally I don't have any problem with the movie except for the fact that the whole existence of it is unnecessary and if you don't mind to watch the same movie as the first one then please go ahead
Hmmm....
Issic22 December 1998
Following the great HK tradition of sequels, this is the third (and last) in line. Made four years after the original, it's not a bad film, with some big shoes to fill, but the storyline by now is predictable as. Also, only one person from the original cast! However Tony Leung is very charming as the monk who is finding himself falling in love, and Joey Wong is again ethereal as the ghost. Well, it's a fair attempt but the magic's gone.
It might be the third, but still as good as the first
The-Sarkologist12 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is the third, and to date final, installment in the Chinese Ghost Story saga. I do not know if there are going to be any more made, but Des Mangan seems to think that by this one the story is being stretched at little thin. There is little that I can say about this one that I have not said about the other two, but I will talk about this movie nonetheless.
Chinese Ghost Story 3 has a very similar plot to number one. At the end of number one, the tree demon was defeated but was laid to rest for 100 years. Now 100 years have passed and a new generation walks the earth. The characters have changed, but the tree demon is still there. She awakens, gets some more ghosts, and begins her terror anew. This in essence the plot returns to that of the first movie.
The second movie digressed a lot because it dealt with a wider area and a greater evil, but Chinese Ghost Story was not really about ghosts. This movie returns to the ghosts, but there is a slight difference in the characters. In this movie, the main character is a Buddhist Monk traveling with his master. They find shelter in the temple and the master learns that there are demons about. While the master is out, a ghost comes into the monastery and attempts to seduce the young monk, but she fails as the monk has vowed to refrain from the pleasures of the world. The monk goes to kill the ghost, but decides to set her free. The ghost, Phoey, live a life, and death, or decadent slavery and prostitution. She had never know love or friendship, and is surprised when the monk shows this to her.
The monk is similar. He never had a family and was brought up by the master to reject the world and focus on the spiritual. The monk is a bit of a bumbler and is constantly breaking things and getting him and others into trouble. The one thing is that he learns to love and to care of Phoey, and the conflicts between these two characters is what this movie focuses on.
In essence, this movie does not let down on the Hong Kong action, nor does it let down on those cool effects, like people flying everywhere. My friend Joanne Chong, who also watches Hong Kong movies, says she doesn't like these dark movies with people flying around, but I personally think that they are great.
Chinese Ghost Story 3 has a very similar plot to number one. At the end of number one, the tree demon was defeated but was laid to rest for 100 years. Now 100 years have passed and a new generation walks the earth. The characters have changed, but the tree demon is still there. She awakens, gets some more ghosts, and begins her terror anew. This in essence the plot returns to that of the first movie.
The second movie digressed a lot because it dealt with a wider area and a greater evil, but Chinese Ghost Story was not really about ghosts. This movie returns to the ghosts, but there is a slight difference in the characters. In this movie, the main character is a Buddhist Monk traveling with his master. They find shelter in the temple and the master learns that there are demons about. While the master is out, a ghost comes into the monastery and attempts to seduce the young monk, but she fails as the monk has vowed to refrain from the pleasures of the world. The monk goes to kill the ghost, but decides to set her free. The ghost, Phoey, live a life, and death, or decadent slavery and prostitution. She had never know love or friendship, and is surprised when the monk shows this to her.
The monk is similar. He never had a family and was brought up by the master to reject the world and focus on the spiritual. The monk is a bit of a bumbler and is constantly breaking things and getting him and others into trouble. The one thing is that he learns to love and to care of Phoey, and the conflicts between these two characters is what this movie focuses on.
In essence, this movie does not let down on the Hong Kong action, nor does it let down on those cool effects, like people flying everywhere. My friend Joanne Chong, who also watches Hong Kong movies, says she doesn't like these dark movies with people flying around, but I personally think that they are great.
New turn, but still enjoyable
mieriks6 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This movie, about Buddhist Bai Yun and his disciple Fong who journey through a small town to transport a golden idol of Buddha, is a good sequel to A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990)!
You think it's going to be like its predecessors, but you quickly realize that it's a new turn. We don't follow Ling Choi Sin anymore, and the movie has less action, but you know what? It doesn't fall short, fortunately. It focuses a lot more on seduction instead of martial moments, and even though the storyline is quite static and slow, it still manages to entertain.
This movie charms despite its different tone. Trading action for seduction, it offers a fresh spin that entertains even with a slower pace.
You think it's going to be like its predecessors, but you quickly realize that it's a new turn. We don't follow Ling Choi Sin anymore, and the movie has less action, but you know what? It doesn't fall short, fortunately. It focuses a lot more on seduction instead of martial moments, and even though the storyline is quite static and slow, it still manages to entertain.
This movie charms despite its different tone. Trading action for seduction, it offers a fresh spin that entertains even with a slower pace.
Classic Hong Kong cinema
zvelf-224 September 1999
While essentially a remake of the original Chinese Ghost Story, this third installment has higher production values and greater subtlety in both the acting and the story. Tony Leung is particularly good. CGS III is a gorgeous, moving film.
Not as good
BandSAboutMovies7 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
1991's A Chinese Ghost Story III brings back the tree demon from the first film, a creature that is destined to return in a hundred years. This film is also about Monk Shi Fang (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) and Swordsman Yin (Jacky Cheung), named after the original Taoist. The tree demon also has a ghost in its thrall, Lotus (Joey Wong).
This is the kind of movie where towers rise to block out all the sun on Earth and Shi Fang's body is coated in his own golden blood, which allows him to channel the power of the Buddha to bring the sun back. Basically, things get nuts.
This is the kind of movie where towers rise to block out all the sun on Earth and Shi Fang's body is coated in his own golden blood, which allows him to channel the power of the Buddha to bring the sun back. Basically, things get nuts.
Part III is seductive and enchanting!
OllieSuave-00715 August 2014
This is the second sequel of the iconic and fantastic Hong Kong ghost fantasy, A Chinese Ghost Story. This time, Buddhist Bai Yun (Shun Lau) and his disciple Fong (Tony Chiu Wai Leung) try to transport a golden Buddha idol across town, getting themselves hounded by thieves and then taking shelter at the haunted Orchid Temple. There, Fong encounters Lotus (Joey Wang), a female ghost at the evil bidding of the Tree Devil (Siu-Ming Lau), awakened 100 years after the events of the first film.
This sequel's story is more in line with the original film, having a traveling leading male character meet a beautiful female ghost at the Orchid Temple, who's spirit is binded by the evil Tree Devil. But, this movie is still fresh nonetheless, with it having a fast-paced plot, chock full of crazy magic spells and action sequences, seductive and spellbinding female ghosts, hair-raising demons and non-stop adventures. There is also a touch of humor, drama and romance, following the tradition of the previous two films. The female lead is once again played by Joey Wang. Although a different character, the ghost she plays in this sequel is a touching throwback to the first film; Wang portrayed all three different characters from each of the three movies with ease, charm and uniqueness.
This film has another beautiful music score composed by James Wong and Romeo Diaz and crazy special/visual effects galore! The acting by another memorable cast was great, albeit a tad goofy sometimes. And, the breath-taking scenery and period costumes were a treat - very colorful and vibrant. Hats off to Producer Hark Tsui and Director Siu-Tung Ching for putting together such an awesome and timeless trilogy in all three films! Overall, this sequel holds up well on its own. Like the first sequel, this film does not surpass the original Chinese Ghost Story (some scenes are rushed, some drag on too long a bit), but is still very entertaining and fun - one of the greatest sequels I've seen.
Grade A
This sequel's story is more in line with the original film, having a traveling leading male character meet a beautiful female ghost at the Orchid Temple, who's spirit is binded by the evil Tree Devil. But, this movie is still fresh nonetheless, with it having a fast-paced plot, chock full of crazy magic spells and action sequences, seductive and spellbinding female ghosts, hair-raising demons and non-stop adventures. There is also a touch of humor, drama and romance, following the tradition of the previous two films. The female lead is once again played by Joey Wang. Although a different character, the ghost she plays in this sequel is a touching throwback to the first film; Wang portrayed all three different characters from each of the three movies with ease, charm and uniqueness.
This film has another beautiful music score composed by James Wong and Romeo Diaz and crazy special/visual effects galore! The acting by another memorable cast was great, albeit a tad goofy sometimes. And, the breath-taking scenery and period costumes were a treat - very colorful and vibrant. Hats off to Producer Hark Tsui and Director Siu-Tung Ching for putting together such an awesome and timeless trilogy in all three films! Overall, this sequel holds up well on its own. Like the first sequel, this film does not surpass the original Chinese Ghost Story (some scenes are rushed, some drag on too long a bit), but is still very entertaining and fun - one of the greatest sequels I've seen.
Grade A
How to milk a cash cow to death.
Grrriffin28 February 2001
Chinese Ghost Story III is a totally superfluous sequel to two excellent fantasy films. The film delivers the spell-casting special effects that one can expect, but fails painfully on all other fronts. The actors all play extremely silly caricatures. You have to be still in diapers to find their slapstick humor even remotely funny. The plot is predictable, and the development is sometimes erratic and often slow. Towards the end, the movie begins to resemble old Godzilla films, including shabby larger-than-life special effects and a (well, yet another) ghost with a Godzilla head. Maybe I would have grinned if I was expecting camp.
It is astonishing to see what trash fantasy fans have to put up with - in this case because somebody thought they could squeeze a little extra money out of a successful formula. They won't be able to do it again: the cash cow is now dead as a dodo.
It is astonishing to see what trash fantasy fans have to put up with - in this case because somebody thought they could squeeze a little extra money out of a successful formula. They won't be able to do it again: the cash cow is now dead as a dodo.
Crazy, funny very funny.
Young Garrett12 October 2000
Three's not the charm.
BA_Harrison5 November 2021
A Chinese Ghost Story II was a whole lot crazier than the far superior original movie, and a lot less coherent; part III finds a middle ground, the basic premise borrowing much from the first film, but with parts that feel just as bonkers as the second movie (this one gives us a monk with prehensile earlobes and a mountain devil as the big bad at the end, which is just as silly as a giant centipede).
Tony Chiu-Wai Leung plays Fong, young student of an elderly buddhist monk (Shun Lau). While on a pilgrimage to Kwan Bo County with a valuable Golden Buddha, Fong and his master take refuge at a haunted temple, where the student meets and falls for beautiful ghost Lotus (Joey Wong), who is forced by an evil tree devil (Lau Siu-ming) to seduce and kill unwary travellers. Together with a swordsman, Yin (Jacky Cheung), Fong tries to free Lotus from enslavement and defeat the evil devil.
As with part one, there's romance and comedy as Fong develops feelings for the lovely Lotus, and, towards the end, there are wild special effects driven scenes that don't seem to make much sense, as per part two. Part three was probably intended to bring us the best of both worlds, but I think that this merging of styles doesn't work quite as well as either of the previous films, feeling too much like a compromise. If you want a beautiful, poetic, ghostly love story, go with the original film; if it's pure insanity you're after, try the second*. Part three is passable entertainment, with some fun moments, but just doesn't work as well as a whole.
5/10.
*On second thoughts, always go with the original film!
Tony Chiu-Wai Leung plays Fong, young student of an elderly buddhist monk (Shun Lau). While on a pilgrimage to Kwan Bo County with a valuable Golden Buddha, Fong and his master take refuge at a haunted temple, where the student meets and falls for beautiful ghost Lotus (Joey Wong), who is forced by an evil tree devil (Lau Siu-ming) to seduce and kill unwary travellers. Together with a swordsman, Yin (Jacky Cheung), Fong tries to free Lotus from enslavement and defeat the evil devil.
As with part one, there's romance and comedy as Fong develops feelings for the lovely Lotus, and, towards the end, there are wild special effects driven scenes that don't seem to make much sense, as per part two. Part three was probably intended to bring us the best of both worlds, but I think that this merging of styles doesn't work quite as well as either of the previous films, feeling too much like a compromise. If you want a beautiful, poetic, ghostly love story, go with the original film; if it's pure insanity you're after, try the second*. Part three is passable entertainment, with some fun moments, but just doesn't work as well as a whole.
5/10.
*On second thoughts, always go with the original film!
More expensive remake of Part 1
metahumanity_017 June 2021
Not as Good as The First Two
Tat_Sat27 March 2020
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