Gau yat san diu haap lui

I enjoy Hong Kong cinema quite a bit and i had pretty high hopes for this movie when i got i on DVD. Especially for the manga-like action-sequences which were rumored to be something very special. But unfortunately my hopes were all crushed within 45 minutes of the movie.

There are several problems with this movie. The first problem is unfortunately very common in Hong Kong cinema and that is bad acting. The actors are just horrible and can´t seem to say a single line in a credible way (which is strange since for example Andy Lau has since made good performances). The second problem is the misplaced comedy scenes. Several times the movie shifts from a very serious and emotional scene to slapstick comedy in the blink of an eye. This ruins both the comedy (which is very cheap) and the emotional scenes since you can never take anything about the movie seriously. The third and last major problem is the sub-standard action sequences. The action is both quite poorly choreographed and the effects look very cheap (people being cut to pieces by swords are VERY obviously dolls etc.). The action scenes are also too short and too far between. This creates a problem with the pace in the movie which is much too slow. And the story is much too thin and unbelievable to support the film. What might have saved this movie would have been a steady fast pace, but unfortunately it slows down and becomes very boring at times.

If you enjoy this kind of manga-style action-films there are a lot of better alternatives in the genre. This poor attempt is simply not worth the effort. I rate it 3/10.

Saviour of the soul is a mix of martial arts, shootouts and fantasy. It is obvious that it is a comic adaptation. The story isn't always clear,but it succeeds very well in keeping your attention, although sometimes i wanted to last the action sequences a little longer. There is a lot of humour in it and still succeeds in being serious when it has to. There are some special effects in it that will amaze you (without the use of digital effects which we are used to nowadays). I always enjoy the action sequences Hong Kong movie makers come up with. They really are the best when it comes to action. Saviour of the Soul is certainly a classic when it comes to the wonderful combination of action and special effects. Go see it!

Saviour of the Soul radiates innovative action and gawping visuals for a non-stop hour and a half, spinning a tale of star-crossed lovers in a haze of delirious pandemonium. Aaron Kwok brakes test tubes and inhales colourful gases to possess his opponents, running through the torso at warp speeds and stealing their life support. As the cloak-cladded ‘Silver Fox', Kwok is the most dazzling out of the young cast (mostly made up of Cantopop starlets), yet not to be upstaged by the talented Anita Mui who takes on a clever duel-role as two sisters, one a fashion-conscious jabbermouth, the other a sultry law-abider named May. Fundamentally a futuristic sci-fi thriller (its glossy mise-en-scene and specialised camerawork dominate proceedings), May is the victim of a vengeful Silver Fox, longing to seek revenge for his master's subsequent killing, while Andy Lau plays the charmer after her heart and summarily her protection. Hectic showdowns involve flying daggers which explode on impact, Andy's nifty yo-yo that doubles as an extendable wobble-sword, and a completely surreal stuck-in-a-mirror routine that'll leave you both puzzled and enthralled. This film is just awesome, and there's nothing really quite like it.

This is an action sci-fi adventure from Hong Kong, starring Aarok Kwok as the graying black-clad swordsman Silver Fox, out to wreck havoc on mercenaries Ching (Andy Lau), Kwan (Anita Mui) and Chuen (Kenny Bee). He kills Chuen (Kenny Bee), but is wounded by Kwan (Anita Mui). Kwan is later poisoned by a spell, which only the powerful Madam Pet (Carina Lau) has the antidote. While Ching hopes to obtain the antidote from her, Silver Fox is out to defeat them all.

Filled with wild, sword-wielding action, sci-fi elements, drama and some wacky comic relief, this film is definitely a medieval fantasy with reality-suspended moments. Aaron Kwok plays quite the formidable villain, somebody you would love to hate. Andy Lau was OK as the protagonist, but Anita Mui is the main highlight of the film. Quite the fast-paced movie, but there's a little too much genre elements all slapped into one story.

Grade B-

I just saw "Dance Of A Dream", which also starred Andy Lau and Anita Mui and I liked their chemistry, even though the film has nothing in common with this one. This one is a sci-fi fantasy with superheroes. Ms. Mui plays May and, of course, looks wonderful. She also plays her sister, who keeps getting herself shot, blown up (its comic relief, she doesn't die). Aaron Kwok plays The Silver Fox, who wants to kill May because May blinded his mentor. Mr. Lau, as Ching, tries to protect her. There are pretty good action sequences in this film, decent fight scenes. Nothing terribly original or revelatory, but you can do a lot worse. Its a great Saturday afternoon movie, play it on a big screen TV and enjoy. The acting is fine, especially the always mesmerizing Anita Mui. If you're a fan of this genre, watch it, its fun.