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Fallen Angels was originally planned as one section of directorWong Kar-Wai's best-known film, Chungking Express, but eventually it grew into its own distinct and delirious shape. In many ways, Fallen Angels may be the better film, a dark, frantic fun-house ride through Hong Kong's nighttime world. Part of the film is a love story between two people who have barely met:a young, ultra-hip hit man (Leon Lai) and the dreamy operative (Michele Reis) who plans his jobs. Much of the movie is given over to a very strange subplot about a manic mute (Takeshi Kaneshiro) who goes on bizarre nocturnal prowls through a closed food market--like almost everything else in Wong's films, this is antic, stylish, and oddly touching, all at the same time. It must be said that, also like Wong's other films, Fallen Angels is fragmented and oblique to the point of occasional incomprehensibility…but then suddenly something wild or wonderful happens, such as the moment when the killer leaves the scene of a spectacular shooting and is promptly waylaid by a cheerful old school chum on a public bus. These coups--whether lyrical, violent, or simply "how on earth did they get that shot?"--are tossed off by Wong and cinematographer Christopher Doyle with all the cool of the hired killer, as though the movie were a cigarette dangling from a pair of oh-so-casual lips. This is exactly why so many otherwise calm critics fell all over themselves in hailing Wong Kar-Wai as one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Kung Fu Comedy
This is no hard core Jet Li kicking [BUTT] movie. It's a very amusing comedy of Jet Li's charactor searching for a scroll called the "scriptures with no words" The setting takes on an Indiana Jones era. It's lots of fun, laughter and there's even some romance. Whatever you do don't miss the scene where Jet is disguised as a woman, batting eyelids and all. This is a very funny movie and if judged on the basis of being a comedy is a must-buy for any Jet Li fan.

Jet Li as a HK Indiana Jones
'Dr. Wai & the Scripture with no Words'(1995) stars Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan as husband and wife in a troubled marriage. Jet Li is an author, and has no time for his wife (Kwan). His pending divorce leads to an erratic new book, an everchanging story as told by the writer. We jump back and forth from reality to this fictional tale of incredible adventure. Kind of like a HK Raiders of the Lost Ark, without Harrison Ford. Anyway, the story changes as Li, Kwan, and his two assistants alter/edit the story depending on their point of view. Action wise, it's ok with a little tai chi (cool) and some high flying stuff. A HK action/romance with wacky special effects, a monster, a giant rat, and lots of plot twists + a happy ending for a change. OK, but hard to watch.

It's about writing not fighting.
I had to respond to the reviewers who complained about the lack of fight scenes. The character played by Jet Li is not a martial artist. He is an author. With writer's block, due to an impending divorce from beautiful Rosamund Kwan. He is contractually obligated to deliver an adventure story but his heart is not in it, and he cannot get started. His assistants get involved and the story-within-a-story begins to take shape. But it also takes on an odd role-playing quality. The characters shift according to who is making up the plot. Jet Li writes himself and his ex (as a traitorous witch) in as the main characters. But then the ex gets ahold of it and twists her character around to reveal herself to be a double agent and loyal ally! The movie is sly about the act the creation, and speaks volumes about the committee thinking that is pervasive in moviemaking. The multiple person generated plotline is a wild litany of train crashes, airplane stunts and other outrageous silliness that just gets progressively more and more far-fetched. Just because Jet Li is involved and the film is not a chop socky wall-to-wall actioner does not speak of a lack of creative intent. This is one of the smartest and most intriguing films of Li's career. A definite must watch.

DR. WAI AND IN THE FILM THAT HAS ALMOST NO MARTIAL ARTS
Jet Li in an (imaginary) Indiana Jones role that he fills semi-well. Considering the obviouly large budget of this film the paucity of fights was disappointing. This film reminded me of High Risk in which, starring Jet Li as it does, you expect more than a couple of good martial arts scenes, but, like High Risk, this film leaves you hanging. We've all seen this happen before in films like this: they spend so much time on frills they forget the basics. It's not unwatchable, but don't go in with high expectations.

Comedy- Adevnture
This is a comedy action film and not your 'Fist of Legend' type of martial arts. Nevertheless I found it entertaining to see Jet Li doing things you would never expect like disguising himself as a woman at one point. It was hilarious to see the man batting his eyelids girly-style. Howerver be warned that the english version has been severely cut and edited to the point where the story differs slightly from the original version. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

When a military officer (Jet Li of Romeo Is Bleeding and Fist of Legend) miscalculates and causes the explosive death of dozens of children on a school bus--something you'll never see in an American movie!--he leaves his position to become a bodyguard for an egomaniacal movie star named Frankie (Jacky Cheung from Bullet in the Head and A Chinese Ghost Story 2, doing a satirical parody of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee). The star claims to do all his own stunts, but in fact Li has become his stunt double. An investigative reporter (Chingmy Yau, Naked Killer) catches them switching places and decides to do an exposé. From this point on, Meltdown (also known as High Risk) turns into a Hong Kong version of Die Hard, with terrorists taking over a skyscraper in order to steal valuable jewels, as well as a couple of young lovers, a villainous kung fu master who wants to challenge Frankie, and a hip-hop soundtrack. Meltdown is a delirious romp, crammed with as much low comedy and high-powered action as three Hollywood flicks. Despite (or partly because of) some clumsy special effects, logical absurdities, and cheesy plot developments, the movie is hugely entertaining, and Jet Li is in fine charismatic form. However, be warned: though the movie's tone is light, there's some extremely graphic violence. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Description

Based on the well-known, live-action films of the same name, A Chinese Ghost Story: The Tsui Hark Animation is the fantastic tale of strange demons, hungry ghosts, and timeless love. Tsui Hark is internationally well-known for his iconoclastic style, solid storytelling, and tightly maintained pace. Among his many famous Hong Kong films are A Better Tomorrow, A Chinese Ghost Story, as well as Once Upon a Time in China. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An Entertaining Movie
This movie is for kids, and in that sense, it does a fine job. Not too scary, a little silly/funny, but a moving storyline. There are some oddities that probably resulted from translation, and it may be more compelling in its native language (some of the songs seemed particularly odd), but it was, all in all, an engaging and entertaining movie.

An Unforgettable Tale
Dumped by his girlfriend, debt collector Ning, with his pet dog, Solid Gold, wanders heartbroken through the countryside until he encounters a beautiful spirit named Sui Seen in a dangerous ghost town. After rescuing him from the inhabitants of the town, Sui Seen appears ready to surrender Ning's soul to her mistress, the demonic, soul-eating Madame Trunk.

Because of Ning's persistence and his lovable demeanor, she finally grows to care for him. Barely escaping the clutches of the Tree Demon, Ning and Sui Seen finds themselves pursued by a pair of ghost-hunting monks by the name of White Cloud and Ten Miles. Racing for the Reincarnation Gate on a ghost train, the two hope to start a new life together.

One unforgettable tale it is with great graphics, dubbed voices, story and everything!

bizzare plot with unique animation
This Hong Kong production is an interesting change of pace from Japanese anime.

The plot is bizzare view of ghosts, ghost busters and life paths. A clue to understanding this film is identifying the "standard" life path and how the ghosts are opting out.

The animation style consists of 2-D characters on a 3-D computer generated background. I found it impressively surreal, but exhibiting an element of harshness. It was less ethereal than the reference standard Princess Mononoke (2-D characters on nature paintings background)

Those who prefer English dub should switch the audio to Cantonese for the songs, you'll notice the meter flows better. (I listen in Mandarin with subtitles and switch to Cantonese for the songs)

This isn't really "anime" by otaku definition. I give it a good score for its unique Chinese flavor not found in other animated films. Not quite a masterpiece, but worth seeing.

A Chinese Ghost Story (animated)
Gosh the pace is amazing! So far I haven't seen any comment from Malaysia, but it doesn't mean that we are not really in this. Just to remind all friends out there since 1982, started with James Bond's "A view to a Kill", we are known as one of the first world wide released of any blockbuster movies. Much-much more update than Tokyo, that for sure.

Back to our review, its a good movie really, the animation are nice, very chinese folklore, fighting sequence are carefully crafted, the sound are accepted and sometimes push your speakers to the limit but it has to be in Mandarin 5.1 and Cantonese 5.1 but English version is quite dissapointed, way below the standard.

Remember the credits only goes to film's production and the DVD transfer which is much-much better than VCD copy that I got it from Hong Kong. But the DVD itself looks cheap and no effort given at all. Surpringly its from Pioneer. Totally ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Buy This DVD
This film is one of the greatest action films on the market, a little pricey for a DVD but you'll know why when you watch it, top quality entertainment, the picture quality is good and the sound is fair but the entertainment value is the best money can buy ! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Greek Tradition
This isn't an ordinary swordplay film like Swordsman, 13 Cold blooded Eagles or Blade of Fury ect., it's more like one of the great Greek tragedies, the haunting tale of a young man who is at least responsible for the death of almost everyone he loved, the story of lives crumbeling because of the trickery of one man.
Great acting and a beautiful though cold photography drag you down into the Maelstrom of this great masterpiece!
Besides: in this movie Shaw Brothers veteran David Chiang gives his come back.

Great movie with incredible cinematography
This movie won't thrill the people looking only for fight films but for those who enjoy the full range of Hong Kong cinema should watch this. Based loosely on the One-Armed swordsman story, it is a tale of love, honor, revenge and tragedy set with great acting and a powerful storyline. For those who saw "The Blade" will find this a great movie to compare with since it takes from the same roots. ... Read more