Watch Mr. Vampire For Free

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Truly Dreadful Film

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

A riotous comedy horror that provides satisfaction on many levels, Ricky Lau's MR VAMPIRE is one of the highlights of the sub-genre that flourished in Hong Kong during the 1980s. While it doesn't quite have the level of finesse of Sammo Hung's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE SPOOKY KIND, this proves to be a genre classic that offers virtually non-stop entertainment for the length of its running time.The narrative adopts the knockabout comedy format familiar to any fan of that era's cinema with various characters coming into contact with some creepy vampires, most of whom are of the classic 'hopping vampire' mould that I always like seeing in Chinese cinema. Chief of these is a tough cookie, played by a just-about recognisable Yuen Wah who proves a fitting villain for the film's erstwhile hero, Lam Ching-Ying, playing the vampire-fighting 'One Eyebrow Priest'. Lam Ching-Ying is so successful in this film that he made a career out of the role, and who can blame him? The rest of the picture is packed with damsels in distress, snivelling villainous folk, young upstanding heroes, and a plentiful stream of mostly successful gags. The ghoulish humour works a treat, particularly in a mid-point set-piece in a prison where the characters have to face up to a newly-created vampire foe; this sequence is exceptionally funny and expertly choreographed, a natural highlight for the rest of the production surrounding it.The special effects are fun, the action is ably staged, the characters and situations are funny and the film offers a cultural look at Chinese superstitions in a playful, spirited way. Many sequels followed, unsurprisingly; after all, what's not to like about a film this inventive?

This is a very original film concerning a Daoist/Taoist priest, or "One-Eyebrow Priest", (Lam Ching-Ying) and his involvement with what begins as a murder mystery. We follow this character and his comedic assistants as they go up against supernatural forces, including ghosts and vampires. The mix of action and plot is excellent, and a lot of devices used in this film have been borrowed in Hollywood I believe. The acrobatic stunts and Lam Ching-Ying's Kung-Fu are great - watching the vampire (Yuen Wah) receive this punishment is really entertaining stuff.The vampire of the title is mischievous and brutal. He is represented as an unstoppable force and superhuman in power. So, do not expect a Western-style vampire. The Chinese vampire is quite different and much more interesting to watch; they are actually inhuman. No sensitive-new-age-god-i'm-so-tortured-Gothic Tom Cruise types here. Rather, he is a tortured soul, intent on causing death with either his long, sharp fingernails or overflowing mouthful of teeth. He doesn't fly, he is not a bat, and his limbs are inflexible and stiff. (The literal translation of the title is "Mr. Stiff Corpse"!) There are loads of highlights, (the scene involving the vampires lair and the rodents around him is genuinely gruesome), and the supporting cast is great, especially Ricky Hui, Pauline Wong and Moon Lee. Siu-hou Chin is a great assistant to the priest, and is the more cocky and acrobatic character. His stunts are fluid and performed with the signature HK matter-of-fact style. But, modern audiences may find the humour too broad, (slapstick is out of style right?), and some of the clever wordplay is surely lost.

I'll say this right now. I'm not a fan, or a follower of kung fu movies, Chinese or otherwise.That being said, this movie is incredible. It is a perfect blend of slapstick physical comedy, one liners, martial arts, and Chinese superstition. Mr. Vampire is genuinely funny, but not at all in a campy "So bad it's good" way at all. Fight scenes are good and often amusing, but are not the focus of the film.Some people despise dubbing in foreign films. Having watched both subtitled and dubbed, I'd say the dubbing is funnier. For a complete laugh riot with the DVD, watch both. the jokes made in both versions are quite different, and seeing the way the two interpretations differ is funny in and of itself. The mood of some scenes are distinctly different.All in all, the film is spectacular. Anyone who likes physical or witty humor which is snappy (but not cheap) should watch Mr. Vampire. Fans of Most Extreme Elimination Challenge will love the dubbing especially.

Personally, I think that everyone should see Mr. Vampire, if only so that they can claim to have seen a kung fu zombie comedy. But, in my opinion, this is almost more of a Chinese Ghostbusters with some kung fu sprinkled in than a kung fu movie, which was somewhat of a disappointment for me. The story is fun, fresh and full of more than just zombies (although I won't reveal any surprises). The action, when it occurs is fully justified, which is something I always like to see, and is choreographed quite well by Lam Ching-ying. The comedy is somewhat hit or miss, but it didn't bother me very much. I had a lot of fun but I came away wanting more action. If you feel the same way, try Encounters of a Spooky Kind, which has all the zombies you love, but with more kung fu.