Wei Si Li zhi ba wang xie jia

Jan 10 1991 N/A 1h 42m
Action, Adventure, Fantasy

In a mountainous region in an Asian backwater banana republic, it is said that the descendents of all those buried in its earth will be blessed with fantastic fortune and good health. However, if a special ceremony is not performed on the grounds, then the luck will only last for 24 years. A trio of Chinese Americans decide to venture into these mountains hoping to change their luck; Anna Wong (Moon Lee) is an executive facing a corporate meltdown, Wisely (Chin Ka-Lok) is dying of brain cancer, and UCLA Prof. Chang (Tsui Siu-Ming) is an expert in feng shui. Tin can potentate General Nguen (Yuen Wah) also has designs on the grounds -- hoping to turn his third world, fourth rate country into a superpower. Along the way, the three heroes fall in with a group of local rebels, including the high-kicking Nguen Van Vong (Sibelle Hu).

Plot

The plot is confusing, the subject is geomancy. It is another entry in the loose "Wisely" series. Visually, it is stunning.Peter Pau, who photographed "Bride of Chucky", "The Bride With White Hair" and the awesomely beautiful "A Fishy Story" gives this exciting, Indiana Jones-style adventure a stunning surface on which to stage the busy action. And the action, to put it mildly, is mind-boggling and on the grandest of scales.This lavish Golden Harvest production, which tanked, marked the end of big budget, non-Jackie Chan action spectacles for the company. Despite the presence of Sibelle Hu and the terrific, ultra-sexy Moon Lee, audiences steered clear of this curious pastiche of adventure, mysticism, martial arts and romance. Siu Ming Tsui, who also plays a pivotal character, captains what must have been a very weighty ship on exotic, far-flung locations that are generously served by stunningly evocative production design and cinematography.The fight sequences are fast, brutal and bracing, and are enriched by a pounding, memorable soundtrack and a crisp menu of sound effects.A little discussed treasure.

Written by

Wah-Biu Cheung, Ka-Wah Sit, Siu-Ming Tsui

Directed by

Chi Li Tang, Siu-Ming Tsui

Production Countries

Hong Kong

Production Companies

New Dawn Pictures, Bo Ho Film Company Ltd., Tsui Siu Ming Productions

Languages

Awards

2 nominations

Scores
# of Votes
184
Average Rating
5.9 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA