Sik san

I've seen all of Stephen Chow's comedies, and The God of Cookery is on the top of my list (right above From Beijing with Love). This film is the perfect "Intro to Stephen Chow" for all the unfortunate people that have yet been subjected to his spectacular brand of humour. If you're a fan of Chinese films, you must see this movie. If you're not, that's just too bad... it's never too late though.

Shi Shen is a hilarious parody to Chow Yun Fat's God Of Gamblers movies. It is all about Stephen Chow playing a role of a famous Chef with a natural born talent for cooking. He makes it big and shows his unmatched strength in the Chinese Cuisine Underworld. He encounters a counterpart who frames him and takes his position as the God Of Cookery and fights his way back to try and regain his position. I enjoyed this movie quite a bit since I enjoyed the God of Gamblers and am amused by Stephen Chow's witty sendups. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Another terrific film from director/star/co-writer Stephan Chow, the highlight of which are scenes involving The Eighteen Brassmen of Shaolin Monastery, whom provide for particularly inspired comic moments in a movie full of them. Like his breakthrough film in the west, Shaolin Soccer, this film incorporates martial arts into an area not associated explicitly with them.

However, The God of Cookery is not as much focused upon cooking as it is upon an ever-expanding group of oddball characters. The most wonderful thing about Chow as a director is that he doesn't simply use them as vehicles for gags but really allow them screen time to do their thing, even if it is just a throwaway role in the film (the 'ugly chef' who is in the very first scene is a good example). This includes ugly duckling/love interest Turkey, whose absurdly brutal personality and violent behaviour is so incredibly funny because Karen Mok, the actress playing Turkey, portrays her so honestly and without guile. There is none of the incredibly unfunny, strained-'trying to be funny' or ironic acting often found in recent American comedies. Chow is apparently a huge fan of Bruce Lee, but his work seems to take as much from Charlie Chaplin, a guy who knew how to be serious-ly funny.

Anyway, if you enjoyed Stephan Chow's other comedies or are up for some joyfully absurd silliness, look around for this one, it's worth the effort.

Even though there is some region specific humor in this movie that the subtitles completely glaze over, it is still a fantastic watch because there is plenty of other great humor to enjoy. Any food lover with a good sense of humor or a Honk Kong cinema fan would really enjoy this movie. There is a bit of 'toilet humor' in this movie, so if that offends you, you may want to consider one of Stephen's other movies.

I've watched it at least 6 times myself while showing it to various friends and family members and it's always a good for laugh. This movie contains most of Stephen's standard crew. However, if you are looking for an all-out kung-fu explosion, you might be disappointed with this movie. It definitely has some great moves and some fighting, but the story is fun, engaging and very unique. And you just can't beat the 12 brass monks! No really, you can't beat them... just watch the movie and enjoy. and enjoy. ;)

If you live in the U.S., you probably didn't get to see this movie until after encountering at least one of director Stephen Chow's newer, heavily CGI'd extravaganzas such as Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle, which right off may damage the experience for those going in expecting more of the same manically paced action, and Hollywood-grade production values. God of Cookery is considerably older than either of his better known U.S. releases, which means that not only are effects scaled down more than a little, Chow's directing skills are clearly lacking the same polish he exhibits in later films. All that having been said, God of Cookery should still be considered required viewing for anyone who liked either of the above movies, or who has a particular fondness for the Japanese reality-cooking show Iron Chef (the parodic base for the film). Many of Chow's beloved regulars are here, at least in cameo, which will go a long way towards carrying Chow fans through the first and second acts which, although generally funny enough, are a bit plodding for American audiences. Any unrest the first two thirds may have caused, however, will be instantly dispelled in the third act which, not coincidentally, is when Chow's beloved kung-fu finally makes its appearance. The absolute high-light for me was the 88 Brass Men of Shaolin Temple, whose, erm, UNIQUE combat style was one of the funniest things I've seen in any movie, period. The actual God of Cooking competition isn't half bad either, and definitely could be viewed as the immediate precursor to Shaolin Soccer, combining as it does over-the-top kung-fu (and some dandy practical effects, even a couple of early CGI shots) with every aspect of cooking Chow can devise. Ultimately this is a film for the fans, casual viewers may find themselves too lost or bored by act three to hang on for the grand finale, and it's definitely not the kid friendly romp of 'Soccer by a long stretch.