User Reviews

THE VILLAGE OF NO RETURN is a quirky Taiwanese comedy made with Chinese backing. It takes a while to get going with a slow, drawn-out, and somewhat nonsensical first half, but things gradually pick up for the second section as the plot kicks into place properly. The main problem is that it feels a bit disjointed and episodic in nature. A magic spell has the ability to erase the memories of a number of villagers, but a party of bandits are planning to rob the place, so a conflict of sorts ensues between the two sides. The film boasts a solid turn from the reliably amusing Shu Qi and a nice little cameo from Eric Tsang (too brief, though) along with plenty of bizarre jokes and slapstick moments. Some of the darker and more gruesome gags come out of nowhere to shock and surprise, while there's even a tiny bit of action. The a capella music is the best part of it.

Uhm, what? Was my first thought as I reached the half way point in this movie. It's weird, but a good kind of weird. The one that has a moral to it, if you're willing to see it. The gist is there's a railroad coming through a small village that can only be reached by a one man rope bridge (No way I'd ever use it in a million years) Or by a rope you literally hang from to get from one side to the other. The townsfolk are convinced by their leader that building a train station will bring them unbelievable riches. The problem is, they don't have the money in the coffers to build it. No one wants to spend their own money to help build it, but most of them want the money the train station is promised to bring.

Eric Tsang is a power hungry elitist who wants to one day be Emperor. He has a plot that involves blowing up a few people. No biggie, if you get the right person to do the job. Eric doesn't. He gets a dense man called Big Pie to do it. Big Pie, accidentally dies before he can carry out his assignment. So, Eric has to restart the plot using a Gang Leader who is disguised as a Postal Carrier. Yup, best way to get from one assignment to another is to deliver the mail. She is given the same gear Big Pie had and a bicycle to carry out her assignment.

Into the mix comes a faux Monk, who arrives in the small town as the villagers are trying to figure out who killed Big Pie (it's later revealed it was an accident brought about by a chicken carrying a bag of deadly herbs). The Monk has a device called the Worry Ridder that will reveal the killer. It's basically a hat with a lot of doodads on it that literally sucks the worries from your mind and transforms them into what looks like a silk worm cocoon.

The brainwashed villagers split their days between digging for a treasure the Monk is sure is hidden there and praising the lying Monk. Some villagers began to recall their true selves after Autumn begins viewing the cocoons by inserting them in the Worry Ridder. Further issues for the Monk arise with the return of Autumn's betrothed Dean, who was supposed to be off in the city working with the Government but is actually with the Cloud Clan gang - a group of singing postal workers.

There is too much weirdness to mention in this review. Suffice it to say, you have to watch this movie from beginning to end to appreciate it. People rediscover themselves and get a new leash on life. Especially Wan, a Kung Fu Expert who is afraid to use his skills, at least until the end when he kicks some serious Cloud Clan tush and gives Eric his comeuppance.

The acapella singing as the credits roll, is a bit annoying but good. Like I said, you have to view this movie to appreciate it's moral telling weirdness.

What fun this was to watch! As an American watching an Asian period/fantasy piece, it may as well have been science fiction. The "world" of this little village was thoroughly entertaining and capricious; a wonder to behold! And who doesn't love - SPOILER ALERT!! - a happy ending where everyone gets their just rewards and desserts? There were some excellent performances in here; no lack of talent in this film. They sport everything from a good ensemble comedic cast, a little romance between a beautiful couple, a Very impressive & artistically shot Kung Fu display, to a surprising a cappella performance by the local bandits. Just a little something to put you in the mood and something for everybody. Please Don't be put off by subtitles. Watching a foreign film that's dubbed is Far worse. It might not sound logical at first but there's a synchronicity to a dubbed film that you just can't reconcile in your head, whereas your brain does get used to subtitles pretty easily, especially with a little practice. Your brain learns to take in the big picture. I watch a lot of movies with cc because frankly, I find the dialogue has to compete with the music in too many of today's movies, particularly Hollywood, particularly action-styled movies, and I find myself rewinding to catch a word or phrase all too often and it's really annoying. SIDEBAR: What else is annoying is how far too many of today's films seem to record the dialogue in a bare whisper and then switches to an action sequence at twice the volume requiring me to sit with the remote and constantly adjust for the volume changes. (Weren't they supposed to do something about that or was it only tv & commercials?) Another reason to leave the cc on and keep the volume under control so I'm not annoyed and my cats aren't traumatized every few minutes (editing has also gone full court press in recent history. Another symptom of our ADD era). Sorry, Back to the review... I'd had this film on my watchlist but for some reason kept skipping it over. Tonight I was definitely in the mood for lighter fare and it delivered. So, If you're looking for something well done and playful, quirky even, then this is your film! I hope you enjoy it - and can forgive my rambling review!

From looking at the preview of this movie it's unknown what exactly you're in for.

For me it looked like a very dark, the blackest of black comedies.

It was a black comedy but thankfully a great deal lighter than I expected.

It felt more like a Coen brothers movie.

The bandits who sing acapella. The killer post lady, meekly grappling with learning to ride a bicycle.

The kites and crispy springrolls made out of skin -OH.

This has both dark and light moments which make it a very enjoyable movie.