Wu long tian shi zhao ji gui

Few movies can give fans of genre crossovers their money's worth like this one does. It's a martial arts / horror / comedy with a heavy accent on comedy. Long on slapstick and long on nonsense as well, it has a hilariously over the top, contrived plot and engagingly goofy performances from all concerned. Literally *everything* about "Kung Fu Zombie" is unsubtle, and it's constantly throwing things at you, barely giving you a chance to breathe. As far as the horror content goes, it offers you body hopping, the living dead, the undead (i.e. a vampire), and a ticked-off ghost.

The basic story has an inept master villain working mightily to defeat our strapping young hero, Pang Fong (Billy Chong). This bad guy is also often stymied in his attempts to find a new body (don't ask, just watch), and is "assisted" by a flamboyant wizard who can never seem to get his spells done correctly.

Clothes come off, items are thrown, tacky gore and makeup abound, and the music is positively dopey. "Kung Fu Zombie" does wear a little thin at times, but the acting is wonderfully hammy and there are some inspired gags. (Like our hero's father / master feigning death to throw him off guard.) It's likewise a hoot to see our villain have such a spectacular lack of success until late in the movie.

Directed with flair by Shan Hua, this flick delivers one lightning-fast fight scene after another. This viewer would recommend it to anybody who desires to put their brain in neutral for a while and investigate the more irreverent side of kung fu cinema.

The original Hong Kong version runs about 20 minutes longer, and is in a different aspect ratio, to boot. This review applies to the 79 minute long dubbed North American release (with hysterically inefficient dubbing, the kind that is just right for this sort of entertainment).

Seven out of 10.

This is a pretty entertaining movie, but not nearly the mindwarp that Chong's Kung Fu From Beyond the Grave is. This movie does have its moments, but the plot is not as interesting as it could be. Still, the villain is without a doubt the most butt-whuppinest zombie I have ever seen, and that includes the giant Mombie from Braindead (Dead-Alive). It's particularly fun the way he's always introduced with ripped-off James Bond music. Also the final fight is a doozie once the priest gets into the action. Worth a watch for Fu/Horror fans, but definitely not one to use an introduction to the genre.

Okay, so the only reason I ever saw this movie to begin with was because I found the used DVD (the Black Belt Theatre version) on sale for $2 in a local video store in the middle of nowhere. I honestly expected it to stink to high heaven, and only bought it for the funny title. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it! I'm pretty confused at most of the reviews I see on the web for this movie calling it a "horror" film, because this is a comedy pure and simple. Everything is so ridiculous that it's absolutely hilarious, from the "wizard's" goofy dancing whenever he casts "spells," to the scene where they're out "shopping" for corpses, to the protagonist's complete indifference as to whether his obnoxious father lives or dies. The dub is absolutely hilarious (I've seen probably over a hundred dubbed movies/shows and this is, no kidding, one of the most effective ones I've ever seen, though it's obviously much easier to dub a goofy comedy than a drama), and it makes excellent use of music at hilarious times. I also have to give a hearty thanks to the editor for the Americanized version, who clearly edited out at least half an hour of what was clearly dull story, leaving absolutely nothing but kung fu and comedy scenes.

If you have the capacity to enjoy goofy, ridiculous movies and slapstick humor, I fully recommend this. The closest thing I can compare it to is a super low-budget version of Kung Fu Hustle. I only wish the DVD transfer were better (it's watchable, but the scenes in dark places can be hard to make out).

Billy Chong has to fight villains, zombies, ghosts and a vampire, who all knows the art of kung fu. All this because some low-life bad guy and a part-time magician wants him out of the way.

As usual there is loads of fighting, slapstick comedy, and we also get some jumping zombies, stupid ghosts and a vampire who´s running around chopping heads. Funny and entertaining, but also quite exhausting. Not as good as the Mr. Vampires series though. Leave your brain in a bucket and enjoy.

What a masterpiece! I still can't believe what I've seen. This is a classic of eastern cinematography. It belongs in every well sorted movie-collection. The director, the actors, the scenery and the plot are unique. I want to mention especially Billy Chong as Pang. His performance is so outstanding, it's really a thrill watching his acting. And director Hua I-Jung did a hell of a job. He's a brilliant director. Forget John Woo! Forget Tsui Hark! This one is ultimate!