A vastly forgotten, but flavoured late 80's tight budget b-grade horror comedy, that opens with animation filled credits to go onto construct itself around a very interesting concept (with a running gag) involving the Chinese folklore of the Kyonshee --- vampire.
A Chinese shop owner, Frank Lee is murdered one night after fighting against a group of thugs that were terrorising his niece at his shop. A Chinese custom is that if someone unjustly dies, they won't entirely be dead but would take form of a Kyonshee. Out for revenge. However to stop this happening is a Buddhist monk and co, who know the traditions by putting a strip of paper on the forehead. Lee's niece Alice takes over the shop with the help of her boyfriend Michael, but things get worse when the gang turns up again and that of her dead hopping vampire uncle.
A very hit and miss romp, but always endurably campy fun if you can handle its deliberately over-the-top humour, zany nature and clumsy handling due largely to its cheap limitations. It's pretty hard to keep a straight face, even when it does try to be serious which gladly isn't entirely the case, as the snappy script (not always particularly a witty one) keeps it tongue-in-cheek.. Not perfect, but the dialogues could've been worse. Nonetheless it never outstays its welcome, because it's pretty short and sweet with it running at only 80 minutes. Despite its makeshift look and silly writing, the gimmick behind it is refreshingly creative and you can't knock its enthusiasm. From the fruity acting (James Hong, Andrea Roth and Jonathan Goldstein) to the conventional direction (by John Fasano, who was also behind ''Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare'''and "Black Roses") and a dodgy, but playful music score. While not the best, it remains bearable. On the other hand the make-up effects were decently executed and show some nice icky moments. There's plenty of genuine location work, which gives it a grimy urban atmosphere, but there's an odd moment within the middle of the movie where for about a minute (well it feels like it), it takes time out for some sight seeing of the sights and the people. Pretty pointless, but harmless. The horror and suspense it might try to drill out is overwhelmed by its loopy and asinine comical attitude and it's constant use of slow motion.
Amateurish, but amusingly kooky.
A Chinese shop owner, Frank Lee is murdered one night after fighting against a group of thugs that were terrorising his niece at his shop. A Chinese custom is that if someone unjustly dies, they won't entirely be dead but would take form of a Kyonshee. Out for revenge. However to stop this happening is a Buddhist monk and co, who know the traditions by putting a strip of paper on the forehead. Lee's niece Alice takes over the shop with the help of her boyfriend Michael, but things get worse when the gang turns up again and that of her dead hopping vampire uncle.
A very hit and miss romp, but always endurably campy fun if you can handle its deliberately over-the-top humour, zany nature and clumsy handling due largely to its cheap limitations. It's pretty hard to keep a straight face, even when it does try to be serious which gladly isn't entirely the case, as the snappy script (not always particularly a witty one) keeps it tongue-in-cheek.. Not perfect, but the dialogues could've been worse. Nonetheless it never outstays its welcome, because it's pretty short and sweet with it running at only 80 minutes. Despite its makeshift look and silly writing, the gimmick behind it is refreshingly creative and you can't knock its enthusiasm. From the fruity acting (James Hong, Andrea Roth and Jonathan Goldstein) to the conventional direction (by John Fasano, who was also behind ''Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare'''and "Black Roses") and a dodgy, but playful music score. While not the best, it remains bearable. On the other hand the make-up effects were decently executed and show some nice icky moments. There's plenty of genuine location work, which gives it a grimy urban atmosphere, but there's an odd moment within the middle of the movie where for about a minute (well it feels like it), it takes time out for some sight seeing of the sights and the people. Pretty pointless, but harmless. The horror and suspense it might try to drill out is overwhelmed by its loopy and asinine comical attitude and it's constant use of slow motion.
Amateurish, but amusingly kooky.
