Search - Zu - Warriors From the Magic Mountain on DVD

Mind-melting HK filmmaking

Stephen Gladwin | USA | 04/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain" is a near perfect example of hyperbolic Hong Kong filmmaking, and a great starting place for those just beginning in the genre. It features some great HK standbys (Shaw Brothers' star Yuen Biao as well as Samo Hung) and some newer faces (at the time) that would go on to success (Moon Lee). The film benefits immensely by all of the actor's charming performances. The film is also helped by one of HK's most prolific (and most loved AND hated) directors: Tsui Hark. One thing is for sure, Tsui has sure taken many risks in his career, and this is definitely one that pays off. "Zu" is a refreshingly different and fun film for HK fans, as it offers an unabashedly raucous and deliriously imaginative ride. Almost every frame in the film is a joy to behold, and the movie is overflowing with ingenious ideas and startling special effects (although admittadly dated) that put Spielberg to shame. Couple this fun fantasy with charming Chinese humor and sensibilities, and the film presents itself as a true original. Those turned off by the movie's fantasy theme will nonetheless be astonished by the great setpieces, and fantasy martial arts fighting that would certianly make Yuen Woo Ping proud. Also, don't be put off by the film's rather static and un-interesting first half hour. You will be handsomely rewarded by a practically non-stop barrage of HK action spliced with a great sense of fantasy that all ages can enjoy. In fact, this is the kind of entertainment for ALL ages that is so sorely missing in current American cinema. Adults will be (rightly so) wowed by the great amount of creativity and painstaking sense of detail that went into the production of the fight sequences, and kids will never be bored by the film's excellent pacing. The only problem with the film is that it is culturally quite different than what American audiences are used to. The film is very different from American fantasy movies, and the cultural differences may prove challenging (getting the subtitled version can help alleviate some of this, as the dubbing is *predictably* awful). But fans already initiated in HK filmmaking will find this different, Oriental approach to filmmaking a much needed (and appreciated) breath of fresh air from the depressing glut of current American movies. Once again, HK filmmakers have beaten American filmmakers at their own game and the result is a constantly unpredictable, fascinating, enjoyable, and, most importantly, FUN movie. HIGHLY recommended."

Legendary adventure at it's finest!

Gregory | springfield, OR USA | 05/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An absolutely amazing movie!Fans of classical mythology as well as comic book readers should check this film out at once. An incredible plot charged with ancient conflicts between good and evil serves as the backdrop to some wonderful charachter (sic) development. Anyone who enjoyed "the bride with whie hair" or any other magical epic set in ancient china will indeed get a massive kick from this movie. Unfortunately, the breakneck pace of the amazing plot combined with only subtitles available to all us occidentals means that if you blink, you're lost. SEE IT!"

A Highly Overrated Movie

Dean Ira Cox | Indiana | 11/14/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Way overrated, a fair movie but only reason is the special effects the first half-an-hour is boring, and there are parts of this movie that are so cheesy it makes you want to cringe in horror. The plot is about a guy who goes to the magical world of Wu Mountain and who is crazy about this girl.my recommendation - watch this movie don't but it"

GOOD B-MOVIE FUN

poisonpalm | 11/30/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Even die hard Hong Kong film fans will agree that this movie is a tad more ridiculous and cheesy than most. Still, even if the effects are dated and the plot is thin, it is all good fun. You are entertained from the first scene to the last, and despite being almost twenty years old, the movie holds up better than a majority of the early eighties fantasy movies. It beats the hell out of Labryinth, Legend, and Big Trouble in Little China, a film that sight Zu as its primary influence"