Better special effects highlight this delayed sequel to Hung's classic film ENCOUNTERS OF THE SPOOKY KIND, which single-handedly invented the comedy/horror genre in Hong Kong back on its release in 1980. Unfortunately this is a lesser movie in almost every other respect, with poorer writing – the plot is basically a rerun of the "rival wizards duke it out" story from the first film – and (this being the biggest offender) worse action. The fight sequences are few and far between and to make matters worse, the choreography isn't really up to scratch either, except maybe at the finale. Sammo Hung is still on top form as the lead, kicking backside all over the shop and delivering some stupendous kicks at high speeds, but the cameras are sometimes in the wrong places, slow-motion is used a little too often, and often romance and endless dialogue get in the way of kung fu fight scenes.
So, it isn't a classic like the original. But that doesn't mean it isn't a thoroughly entertaining movie, and there are plenty of enjoyable moments in it to be seen. The opening sequence is a homage to ENCOUNTERS OF THE SPOOKY KIND as Hung and his girlfriend hide from two traditional hopping vampires. Things progress to an excellent display of monkey-style kung fu, and then get more bizarre as we see animated zombies full of cockroaches, Sammo's soul going inside a pig, a squad of tough kung fu mummies attacking (classic stuff), and finally the long-awaited duel between the wizards, including two super-tough snake warrior men attacking our heroes. Any film containing this wealth of imagination can't go wrong, and the special effects are good enough to pass even for today.
As well as Hung, we get some fine acting from the classy Lam Ching Ying (playing his stereotyped role of the vampire buster with plenty of finesse and skill) and the familiar Meng Hoi, who excels as the comedy sidekick. Plus we get a villain with a loathsome mole on his face (as usual), the sight of Sammo running naked down the street and getting completely covered in live cockroaches (eww!), and a fair amount of bizarre culture humour which is enough to make anybody laugh. If there had been more of the kung fu and less of the boring ghost woman, then this film would have rivalled the first. As it stands, it's still a must-see for genre fans.
So, it isn't a classic like the original. But that doesn't mean it isn't a thoroughly entertaining movie, and there are plenty of enjoyable moments in it to be seen. The opening sequence is a homage to ENCOUNTERS OF THE SPOOKY KIND as Hung and his girlfriend hide from two traditional hopping vampires. Things progress to an excellent display of monkey-style kung fu, and then get more bizarre as we see animated zombies full of cockroaches, Sammo's soul going inside a pig, a squad of tough kung fu mummies attacking (classic stuff), and finally the long-awaited duel between the wizards, including two super-tough snake warrior men attacking our heroes. Any film containing this wealth of imagination can't go wrong, and the special effects are good enough to pass even for today.
As well as Hung, we get some fine acting from the classy Lam Ching Ying (playing his stereotyped role of the vampire buster with plenty of finesse and skill) and the familiar Meng Hoi, who excels as the comedy sidekick. Plus we get a villain with a loathsome mole on his face (as usual), the sight of Sammo running naked down the street and getting completely covered in live cockroaches (eww!), and a fair amount of bizarre culture humour which is enough to make anybody laugh. If there had been more of the kung fu and less of the boring ghost woman, then this film would have rivalled the first. As it stands, it's still a must-see for genre fans.