Gau yat san diu haap lui

Ugh. It's quite rare that the English title of a Hong Kong movie is better than the original Chinese one but I'm sure they gave this movie its Chinese name (which translates to '91 Condor Heroes) solely to capitalize on lead actor Andy Lau's popularity from his role as Yang Guo in the classic TVB series, Return of the Condor Heroes. Any connection between this movie and that series is loose at best and I didn't really pick up on it, especially since the plot of this movie is all kinds of ridiculous. Apparently Wong Kar Wai co-wrote this. No wonder it barely makes sense to me, ha.

The direction of this movie was bad as well - scenes could go from comedy to action to melodrama in the course of a minute without any regard for flow, though the fighting sequences, choreographed by luminary Corey Yuen, were good whenever there wasn't an over-reliance on special effects.

The dearly departed Anita Mui is classy in every role she plays. Yes, even in her dual role of the twin sister who gets shot in the butt.

As for Andy Lau and Aaron Kwok, well, there's a good reason why they only won their respective first acting awards 9 and 14 years after this movie.

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 the movie that got me hooked on Hong Kong action cinema, so regardless of its faults, I will always have a weak spot for it. Most ingredients are standard HK action fare: wooden acting, some forgetable cantopop song, dubious humor, and a slightly incomprehensible plot. Yet there's also lots of action, and this is where the film really shines. There is swordplay with flexible swords, there are vicious yo-yo's (!), there are silly supernatural villains, and there's a hero whose shirt keeps slipping from his shoulders. This hero is Andy Lau, who lets his charisma do most of the acting. he is supported by Aaron Kwok and Anita Mui (in a semi-funny double role). All in all, it's better-than-average HK fare, that probably will also appeal to non-fans.

Even when it is obvious that this is a low budget production. You still will be amazed by the beautiful cinematography and artwork. It is like a live action manga. Some special effects are a little cheesy. But they are used in such a way that you won't mind. The action scenes are fast paced and very energetic. There is not much of a story. The main part is about Ching's love for Yiu May-kwan (Anita Mui). There is lot of humor used in this movie. Sometimes it is a bit over the top but in combination with the serious love theme there is a fine balance which overall is very enjoyable. This movie is a showcase what the hong kong cinema is about. The lack of budget never is a problem for hong kong movie makers to be creative and come with a good product. When it comes to action Hong Kong cinema is the best. Saviour of the Soul is proof of that.