Storia di fantasmi cinesi 3

Not a total waste of time like the second one, but also not necessary if you have seen the first one.

If the movies are to be believed, Chinese ghosts are much prettier and more mischievous than their Western counterparts. The storylines of the three 'Chinese Ghost' films are largely identical, but the direction is excellent and the detail and colour is such that it's not a huge problem. As always, humour is an integral part of the film, accompanied, of course, by a great deal of mugging. For those who haven't encountered the 'Chinese GhostStory' trilogy yet, this film offers an interesting departure from the Western horror/ghost genre; for those who have, another enjoyable romp in the Chinese ghost world.

It's this sort of movie that you try and imitate. By attempting to realise something... then flying through the air almost immediately. I'd like to do that and I know you would too!

Great stuff!

A superior monk defeats the monstrous Tree Demon, but notes that she will return in 100 years. Sure enough, 100 years later the ruined temple has turned into the haunt of ghosts who are all beholden to the Tree Demon. Another monk and his young disciple inadvertently find themselves in the temple as they shelter from a rainstorm, but the elderly monk senses evil and goes out to battle the Tree Demon. While alone in the temple, the young disciple is plagued by a beautiful ghost who wants to seduce him, but giving in to the temptation would destroy him as a monk, so he resists. Soon, the ghost and the young monk fall in love, but they must battle their own feelings as well as fighting the Tree Demon and her minions if they are to save their souls....

This is the third and final episode in a trilogy of ghost stories, and in essence it repeats the first film but with new characters. The Tree Demon is the same and there were monks and beautiful female ghosts in the earlier movies, but the beauty of this trio of films is their sheer wackiness - lots of flying people, martial arts moves, a mile-long tongue that is pretty gross, glowing Buddhas and snakes, lots of snakes. Just don't think too much about the plot and enjoy the goofiness of it all; lots of fun!

While essentially a remake of the original Chinese Ghost Story, this third installment has higher production values and greater subtlety in both the acting and the story. Tony Leung is particularly good. CGS III is a gorgeous, moving film.