Das Bankett des Kaisers

This is a movie that brings you back to what Hong Kong silver age of movies. Next to God of Cookery this is a classic. Hard for me to track down this movie since it aired on national tv and it is a beloved even by me a non chinese and non chinese speaking background. Trops that you see in cooking dramas and even cooking style anime is here to please the fans. Amidst all of the when i am older watching this movie what it is ismore than a cooking competition show . It is in its core a story of heart and love for the things that you do and the one that you love. Even if the subtitle is noy great im sure since meaning is always lost in translation, a qoute from the movie, "for you, it will all be for you" still left me crying.

Many people are understandably afraid to watch foreign comedies in fear that they will miss the humor, that the subtle cultural aspects that develop a comedy will be lost on them. But one doesn't have to worry about such a thing with the Chinese Feast because it's style transcends cultural boundaries. Okay, i'll put it simply, it's funny, and it's fun, and in a way anyone can understand. I walked away feeling good, feeling happy, and not feeling like i had been treated to a cheese feast like some light comedies. I have seen other examples of comedy from the Asian countries, and maybe i just didn't get the subtle cultural jokes along with the others, but i saw the comedy was very accessible beyond national boundaries. I was also surprised to see a comedy from Tsui Hark after being introduced to him through his much more tragic and pessimistic Green Snake. As for Hark, he gives a fluid and lyrical direction along with a sense of timing which helps make this movie. And if you don't care about any of this, at least watch it for the very attractive Leslie Chueng.

This that show say is cooking delicious food.

I like this is show,This is say cooking food is very happy is things.

But it just very perfect food,Very more delicious food.

Look it just will think self cooking food.

And told us,Man change no working act,After can cooking food.

He's winner and very perfect cooking food is people. So cooking very good eating,Cooking winner.

I will think cooking food is happy heart!

But story no very okay,Just too old video,Story will very good watch from Hong Kong.

In the Hong Kong cook show inside,He change very easy cooking food is person,This is my look best good look is cooking food is food!

The first time i saw this movie was on a flight between Guangzhou, China and Los Angeles. It was a real hoot and made the trip pass with much less discomfort than the normal 10 hour flight. I tried to locate a copy of it without success until I discovered a copy for sale on eBay. Having now watched it twice, I recommend it as good entertainment. My only real criticisms are that the choice of English translation words for the subtitles is sub par, even by normal standards. Also, the subtitling is little to small, blends into the movie too often and frequently travels too fast to read well.

Okay maybe it was because I happen to be in Yangchun China when I saw this movie. Maybe it was because I finally had something on TV I could understand or at least read the subtitles, or maybe it was just funny. Whatever it was this movie was worth the time.

I had just arrived for my foot and head massage when they gave me the remote so I could watch TV. Usually I would turn the darn thing off but I stumbled upon this crazy movie and got hooked.

The plot if you could call it a plot sort of revolves around a cooking competition and sort of is a love story and the food in this movie is the real star. If you like Iron Chef and many of the other cooking shows currently in the reality TV mode, then you will love the scenes with food in this movie.

It goes fast and the subtitles are so fast you better be up on speed reading for this one. However the action is mostly slapstick so you don't always have to read the entire subtitle to get the idea.

The main actress is lovely eye candy and the main actor isn't bad to look at either. They are both worth watching. Finally if you have some time to kill and want a good laugh this isn't a bad choice for both.

I don't speak a word of Chinese but I was totally able to understand the cultural humor of this film. For those who do speak Chinese maybe it is even better. Overall I give this an 8 out of 10 and currently I am even looking to find a copy to have while I stay in China, and keep for when I come back home, it will be a nice reminder for me of my time in Yangchun and a silly afternoon at the massage salon watching a silly movie.