Not entirely sane mixture of martial arts, supernatural tomfoolery, adventure epic, picaresque, Eastern philosophy and religion, and monster movie; featuring cowardly, yet devilishly handsome scholar-heroes, potty priests with magical nous, fearsome, yet cute, highkicking heroines, fat evil fake Buddhas, mendacious high priests, lumbering trolls, hairy gurus and noble warriors. You can choose either THE PHANTOM MENACE and George Lucas, who stole many of these elements to create an enervating sticky gloop that goes on way too long; or this, directed at a breathless pace, full of fun, joy, energy, terror, invention and wonder (and socio-historical critique) which ends far too soon.
22 Reviews
Surprisingly likable
redrum_driew22 February 2005
Although I hadn't seen the first movie, the recap at the beginning brings you up to speed very quickly. The movie itself while not hilarious, cheered me up and made me laugh in a few parts, mainly when the monk, Autumn, was on screen.
There's a lot of likable things about the movie, namely: love interests, thieves that appear out of nowhere (in the plot, not out of thin air), fight scenes with demons and a funny "freezing" spell, redemption of the "bad" guy, and most importantly (since more recent Asian movies seem to forget about them) a happy ending.
Overall, if you want a funny movie that you can just relax while watching it (no serious people), give it a go.
There's a lot of likable things about the movie, namely: love interests, thieves that appear out of nowhere (in the plot, not out of thin air), fight scenes with demons and a funny "freezing" spell, redemption of the "bad" guy, and most importantly (since more recent Asian movies seem to forget about them) a happy ending.
Overall, if you want a funny movie that you can just relax while watching it (no serious people), give it a go.
Good sequel and also completely insane
dworldeater9 May 2020
A Chinese Ghost Story was a visual feast and a great film that combined swordplay with fantasy, romance, drama, comedy and horror and it somehow worked. This sequel follows the same formula, but goes a bit further with the comedy with some of the cheesiest monsters on celluloid (and that is not a bad thing in this instance). A Chinese Ghost Story goes way past eleven and takes the viewer to another world. To say this film is wild is a gross understatement. I do think the 1st installment is a better film that makes more sense, but I did enjoy this sequel with intense visuals and super insane action choreography with Taoist magic and superheroic level swordfighting and Kung Fu. If you drop acid before watching this, it will most likely enhance your viewing experience. Even without the aid of such substances A Chinese Ghost Story 2 is quite the experience and one example of what makes Hong Kong cinema so endearing and unique.
Good sequel
Issic22 December 1998
After the resounding success of "A Chinese Ghost Story" a second part had to be made. And what a sequel it is! This time our bumbling tax-collector finds himself in prison, fighting stacks of rubber monsters and befriending a Taoist who likes to travel underground! It's nice to see all the cast back too. This movie is very funny and never takes itself too seriously. For some who didn't quite understand the first movie, this is great to clear up any confusion. For the others, this is lighthearted entertainment.
Totally different to the original, and totally off-the-wall.
BA_Harrison5 November 2021
I'm torn between admiring A Chinese Ghost Story II for its sheer craziness and disliking it for being such an incoherent mess of a sequel to one of my favourite HK movies.
The original A Chinese Ghost Story was the film that showed me there was more to Hong Kong cinema than Jackie Chan, director Siu-Tung Ching brilliantly blending romance, fantasy, comedy and horror; part 2, also directed by Siu-Tung Ching, is non-stop insanity that never achieves the lyrical beauty of its predecessor, but does deliver a giant, toothy monster and a demonic high monk who can transform into a massive golden Buddha and a giant centipede.
Leslie Cheung reprises his role of timid debt collector Ling Choi San, who escapes from jail (having been wrongly arrested as a bandit after escaping from cannibals!); mistakenly stealing the horse of Taoist Chi Chau (Jacky Cheung), the young man seeks shelter in an abandoned villa in the woods. Chi Chau catches up with Ling Choi San, and the pair sort out the misunderstanding. During the night, the men are attacked by rebels posing as ghosts, who mistake Ling Choi San for renowned scholar Elder Chukot Ngo Long (Feng Ku), with whom he shared a cell. Amazingly, one of the rebels, Ching Fung (Joey Wong), is the exact double of ghost Siu Sihn (also Wong) from the first film; Ling Choi San is unsurprisingly smitten and agrees to help rescue her father, who is prisoner of the Imperialists.
Despite the title, there are no real ghosts in this movie, but there's plenty of supernatural silliness as Ling Choi San and his new found friends do battle with evil forces. The film is a smorgasbord of over-the-top special effects filled sequences, most of which make very little sense, but which are undeniably visually impressive. Even the less effective effects - such as the silly demonic monster that continues to menace our heroes despite being cut in half - are entertaining, and there's surely something for everyone to enjoy (I particularly liked the 'sword surfing' scene).
So, not the sequel I was hoping for, but still worth checking out if you like your HK movies to be completely bonkers.
The original A Chinese Ghost Story was the film that showed me there was more to Hong Kong cinema than Jackie Chan, director Siu-Tung Ching brilliantly blending romance, fantasy, comedy and horror; part 2, also directed by Siu-Tung Ching, is non-stop insanity that never achieves the lyrical beauty of its predecessor, but does deliver a giant, toothy monster and a demonic high monk who can transform into a massive golden Buddha and a giant centipede.
Leslie Cheung reprises his role of timid debt collector Ling Choi San, who escapes from jail (having been wrongly arrested as a bandit after escaping from cannibals!); mistakenly stealing the horse of Taoist Chi Chau (Jacky Cheung), the young man seeks shelter in an abandoned villa in the woods. Chi Chau catches up with Ling Choi San, and the pair sort out the misunderstanding. During the night, the men are attacked by rebels posing as ghosts, who mistake Ling Choi San for renowned scholar Elder Chukot Ngo Long (Feng Ku), with whom he shared a cell. Amazingly, one of the rebels, Ching Fung (Joey Wong), is the exact double of ghost Siu Sihn (also Wong) from the first film; Ling Choi San is unsurprisingly smitten and agrees to help rescue her father, who is prisoner of the Imperialists.
Despite the title, there are no real ghosts in this movie, but there's plenty of supernatural silliness as Ling Choi San and his new found friends do battle with evil forces. The film is a smorgasbord of over-the-top special effects filled sequences, most of which make very little sense, but which are undeniably visually impressive. Even the less effective effects - such as the silly demonic monster that continues to menace our heroes despite being cut in half - are entertaining, and there's surely something for everyone to enjoy (I particularly liked the 'sword surfing' scene).
So, not the sequel I was hoping for, but still worth checking out if you like your HK movies to be completely bonkers.
I liked the giant centipede at the end
The-Sarkologist12 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This movie sort of follows on from the first one. It opens with a rehash of what happened in the previous movie and then Ling and the Taoist part ways. As Ling journeys through the land he comes to notice that there is an excess of thieves and robbers, and escapes with his life after entering an inn run by bandits who cut up their guests and eat them. Unfortunately he is captured by guards and locked up in jail and sent to be executed. While in gaol he impresses an old man who gives him a symbol and shows him the way out. He take this way out and comes upon a group of outlaws who behave as ghosts. One of them reminds him of Sui Sin, and throughout the movie he is constantly seeing her as Sui Sin. It becomes evident though that a great evil is menacing the land, and this evil has taken the form of the high priest.
Chinese Ghost Story 2 attempts to out do what they did in the first movie. In the first they fight and kill a demon lord, while in the second one they are confronted by Buddha himself. Buddha is far more powerful than the demon prince, but the strange this is that Buddha is behaving very evilly. The characters in the movie, including the general and the Buddha's servants, appear far more dangerous than those in the earlier movie, but this is not surprising considering what Ling has previously been through. First he fights and destroys a demon lord, so to send him up against something less threatening would not be a challenge.
These movie should really appeal to roleplayers as there are a lot of fantasy elements in them. They leave the Western Fantasy movies for dead for in these magic is magic and the monsters are real monsters. Magic is far more common in these movies - they are the providence of the Taoist monks - whereas in the Western movies, sorcerers are few and far between. The encounters are far more interesting as well, such as humans who can burrow through the ground, demons that can turn people into beasts, and soldiers that can turn invisible at will.
This movie does go far better than the first, but it acts more to build upon it rather than outdo it. With the Chinese Ghost Stories, I think it works far better if we watch them all rather than say one is better than the other and ignore the others. I have not yet watched number three so I cannot comment on that yet. What it does do though is that it remembers what went on before. Ling is a character that has depth to him. He is pinning for Sui Sin, his lost love - one he knows he cannot see again. He holds tightly onto the painting, and enamoured with the woman who looks a lot like her.
I find that these movies are very well done. Tsui Hark, the producer for these movies, did a lot to bring the special effects in Hong Kong up to a equal level with Hollywood. What happens in Hong Kong movies though is that the film makers tend to push for much more, and generally arrive at that place as well. Hong Kong horror is not horror in the Western sense, but more fantasy.
Chinese Ghost Story 2 attempts to out do what they did in the first movie. In the first they fight and kill a demon lord, while in the second one they are confronted by Buddha himself. Buddha is far more powerful than the demon prince, but the strange this is that Buddha is behaving very evilly. The characters in the movie, including the general and the Buddha's servants, appear far more dangerous than those in the earlier movie, but this is not surprising considering what Ling has previously been through. First he fights and destroys a demon lord, so to send him up against something less threatening would not be a challenge.
These movie should really appeal to roleplayers as there are a lot of fantasy elements in them. They leave the Western Fantasy movies for dead for in these magic is magic and the monsters are real monsters. Magic is far more common in these movies - they are the providence of the Taoist monks - whereas in the Western movies, sorcerers are few and far between. The encounters are far more interesting as well, such as humans who can burrow through the ground, demons that can turn people into beasts, and soldiers that can turn invisible at will.
This movie does go far better than the first, but it acts more to build upon it rather than outdo it. With the Chinese Ghost Stories, I think it works far better if we watch them all rather than say one is better than the other and ignore the others. I have not yet watched number three so I cannot comment on that yet. What it does do though is that it remembers what went on before. Ling is a character that has depth to him. He is pinning for Sui Sin, his lost love - one he knows he cannot see again. He holds tightly onto the painting, and enamoured with the woman who looks a lot like her.
I find that these movies are very well done. Tsui Hark, the producer for these movies, did a lot to bring the special effects in Hong Kong up to a equal level with Hollywood. What happens in Hong Kong movies though is that the film makers tend to push for much more, and generally arrive at that place as well. Hong Kong horror is not horror in the Western sense, but more fantasy.
Fun sequel
BandSAboutMovies7 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
1990's A Chinese Ghost Story II starts with Ning and Yin parting ways, with Ning heading back to his hometown that has been overrun with cannibals. After being jailed and condemned to die, an ancient scholar reveals that he has dug an escape tunnel. He gives Ning a book and a pendant, then shows him the way to freedom.
In this film, Ning joins with Autumn (Jacky Cheung) and the rebel sisters Windy (Joy Wong) and Moon (Michelle Reis) to battle a demon that has taken over a mansion. And by demon, a mean a gigantic centipede that requires fighters to separate the souls from their bodies to defeat it.
Recently, Apple pulled the theme song of this movie from the Apple Music Store, as it features a reference to the massacre at Tiananmen Square Massacre:
"The youth are angry, and heaven and earth are shedding tears,
How did the rivers and mountains become a sea of blood?
How did the road to home become the road to ruin?"
Why would Apple pull a song that rightfully condemns China for their role in killing protesters? Well, you know how money works.
In this film, Ning joins with Autumn (Jacky Cheung) and the rebel sisters Windy (Joy Wong) and Moon (Michelle Reis) to battle a demon that has taken over a mansion. And by demon, a mean a gigantic centipede that requires fighters to separate the souls from their bodies to defeat it.
Recently, Apple pulled the theme song of this movie from the Apple Music Store, as it features a reference to the massacre at Tiananmen Square Massacre:
"The youth are angry, and heaven and earth are shedding tears,
How did the rivers and mountains become a sea of blood?
How did the road to home become the road to ruin?"
Why would Apple pull a song that rightfully condemns China for their role in killing protesters? Well, you know how money works.
The laughs are back.
Billy Edwards31 January 2002
Although a little shorter on plot than the first movie, this one might be a bit funnier. With the welcome additions of Jackie Cheung as a wandering ghost fighting Monk and the lovely Michelle Reis to the cast, the movie has even more Hong Kong star power than the last. Of course the chemistry between Leslie Cheung and Joey Wang is still there, and the film is funny and fast paced. If you liked the first movie, then put this on your must see list.
The continuation of the passion
mieriks6 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This movie, about four young people who are caught in a tug-o-war of evil between an Imperial Wizard and a corrupt General, is a good sequel to A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)!
A fun continuation with the same level of passion, at least of what it feels like. I think the first movie is slightly better, though, because this movie is not as funny and I expected a bit more martial moments, but at least it brings something fresh like additional characters and a couple of returning characters, which is a nice touch. The humor, sceneries, practical effects, choreography, and close-up shots hold up like the predecessor and are the main reasons for the good entertainment.
A fun sequel, and despite that this movie doesn't deliver the same level of humor and action as the original, it offers fresh characters and visuals, making it still enjoyable much because of its familiar faces and the charming effects.
A fun continuation with the same level of passion, at least of what it feels like. I think the first movie is slightly better, though, because this movie is not as funny and I expected a bit more martial moments, but at least it brings something fresh like additional characters and a couple of returning characters, which is a nice touch. The humor, sceneries, practical effects, choreography, and close-up shots hold up like the predecessor and are the main reasons for the good entertainment.
A fun sequel, and despite that this movie doesn't deliver the same level of humor and action as the original, it offers fresh characters and visuals, making it still enjoyable much because of its familiar faces and the charming effects.
Truly brilliant sequel.
HumanoidOfFlesh19 November 2001
"Chinese Ghost Story 2" is almost as amazing as the first "Chinese Ghost Story"(1987).Again the film is incredibly energetic,atmospheric and filled with incredibly well-choreographed fight scenes.Of course the special effects may be a little bit cheesy at times(especially the monster is funny looking!),but the film is extremely entertaining for horror,fantasy and even comedy fans.So don't wait any longer-check it out now.Highly recommended.10 out of 10.
Not as good as the first movie...
paul_haakonsen12 March 2024
I have actually watched the 1990 Hong Kong movie "Sien Lui Yau Wan II: Yan Gaan Dou" (aka "A Chinese Ghost Story II") before, but I must admit that I have entirely forgotten the storyline, and only remembered that legendary actor Leslie Cheung starred in the movie.
And I did enjoy the 1987 predecessor titled "Sien Lui Yau Wan" (aka "A Chinese Ghost Story") quite a lot. So of course I would revisit this 1990 sequel here in 2024, as I had the opportunity to do so.
The storyline is fairly good, though not quite as enjoyable as the story in the predecessing 1987 movie. Writers Kan Keito, Kee-To Lam and Tai-Mok Lau put together a fair enough script and storyline here. However, it should be noted that you need a certain appreciation of early 1990s Hong Kong fantasy martial arts movies in order to fully appreciate and enjoy this movie. There is a little bit of everything in the movie, so there is something for a broad audience to enjoy here.
Something that the movie could have done without was the random song part when Ling Choi San (played by Leslie Cheung) was sitting in the bathtub. That was just fully and wholly unnecessary and such a stupid thing to add to the movie.
If you are familiar with Hong Kong cinema, then you will recognize the likes of Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang, Jacky Cheung, Wu Ma and Waise Lee on the cast list. The acting performances in the movie are good, and you definitely are in good company with some very talented actors and actresses.
There is a good amount of action to compliment the storyline. Again, you must appreciate the over-the-top early 1990s Hong Kong cinema to really fully appreciate the action here, as it hold no regards to the laws of physics or realism. But isn't that what makes these movies all the more endearing?
The effects in the movie are adequate. Though I did find the demonic creature to be somewhat dubious. But taking into consideration the age of the movie then the effects are okay.
My rating of "Sien Lui Yau Wan II: Yan Gaan Dou" lands on a six out of ten stars.
And I did enjoy the 1987 predecessor titled "Sien Lui Yau Wan" (aka "A Chinese Ghost Story") quite a lot. So of course I would revisit this 1990 sequel here in 2024, as I had the opportunity to do so.
The storyline is fairly good, though not quite as enjoyable as the story in the predecessing 1987 movie. Writers Kan Keito, Kee-To Lam and Tai-Mok Lau put together a fair enough script and storyline here. However, it should be noted that you need a certain appreciation of early 1990s Hong Kong fantasy martial arts movies in order to fully appreciate and enjoy this movie. There is a little bit of everything in the movie, so there is something for a broad audience to enjoy here.
Something that the movie could have done without was the random song part when Ling Choi San (played by Leslie Cheung) was sitting in the bathtub. That was just fully and wholly unnecessary and such a stupid thing to add to the movie.
If you are familiar with Hong Kong cinema, then you will recognize the likes of Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang, Jacky Cheung, Wu Ma and Waise Lee on the cast list. The acting performances in the movie are good, and you definitely are in good company with some very talented actors and actresses.
There is a good amount of action to compliment the storyline. Again, you must appreciate the over-the-top early 1990s Hong Kong cinema to really fully appreciate the action here, as it hold no regards to the laws of physics or realism. But isn't that what makes these movies all the more endearing?
The effects in the movie are adequate. Though I did find the demonic creature to be somewhat dubious. But taking into consideration the age of the movie then the effects are okay.
My rating of "Sien Lui Yau Wan II: Yan Gaan Dou" lands on a six out of ten stars.
WoW! again!
Knighthawk70111 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This movie leaves off were part I stops. Ning Choi-san roams rural China seeing still a lot of chaos. In this chaos he is locked up in prison with an old scholar. The scholar helps him escape and gives him a pendant. He meets up with a young Taoist monk and they are attack by a gang led by two sisters who want to lay a trap to rescue their father who is seems as a traitor to the emperor. One of the sisters looks perfectly like Sui-sin, the girl he lost in the first movie. He falls in love and wants to help her rescue her father.
Things take a turn as they battle the soldiers that take her father to court. There is a demonic presence too and they battle it together with Fu, a swordsman that escorts the father (he has awesome moves!). The battle ends when a high priest passes through and promises the sisters to help out with the case when it comes to court. The high priest is a demon however, corrupting the court and country. In the meantime, Choi- san asks his old friend Yin to help again.
Together they fight the false priest, who turns out to be a demon. The swordplay is fantastic again and there is more humor thrown in this movie. Not as good as the first movie, yet still a great movie to watch if you liked the first installment.
Things take a turn as they battle the soldiers that take her father to court. There is a demonic presence too and they battle it together with Fu, a swordsman that escorts the father (he has awesome moves!). The battle ends when a high priest passes through and promises the sisters to help out with the case when it comes to court. The high priest is a demon however, corrupting the court and country. In the meantime, Choi- san asks his old friend Yin to help again.
Together they fight the false priest, who turns out to be a demon. The swordplay is fantastic again and there is more humor thrown in this movie. Not as good as the first movie, yet still a great movie to watch if you liked the first installment.
Another Sequel Film That Doesn't Surpass The Original But Is None the less A Good Follow Up!
silicontourist17 May 2022
One reviewer mentions George Lucas for some bizarre reason and, puts herself in a self admittance of guilt; which would normally be received with a lawsuit from the accused. The reviewer should have said that he borrowed from films like this and NOT that he stole. Every film in history has borrowed something from someone or somewhere. I mention this because her title for her review was "Brilliantly Barking" but, I think I would say that this was a full on and fast paced conglomeration of sheer "Barking Madness".
As is often the case, sequels never are better than than the originals and, this is no exception. It is missing the complete original cast of the first film but that does nothing to spoil this second offering. The monster is a bit too stiff, and fake looking, and camera work in this sequel is much to close most of the time. I think they are my reasons at present (there are a couple more but I have not quite put my finger on them as of yet...its that gut feeling).
Its crazy, colourful, well acted and a totally madcap ghostly happening from start to finish. It continues the story well and is definitely worth a watch!
BAD LANGUAGE: none, SEX: none, FUN: A lot it!
I know that there is a 3rd film to the series but I do not have it at this time. When I do, I shall make another review.
As is often the case, sequels never are better than than the originals and, this is no exception. It is missing the complete original cast of the first film but that does nothing to spoil this second offering. The monster is a bit too stiff, and fake looking, and camera work in this sequel is much to close most of the time. I think they are my reasons at present (there are a couple more but I have not quite put my finger on them as of yet...its that gut feeling).
Its crazy, colourful, well acted and a totally madcap ghostly happening from start to finish. It continues the story well and is definitely worth a watch!
BAD LANGUAGE: none, SEX: none, FUN: A lot it!
I know that there is a 3rd film to the series but I do not have it at this time. When I do, I shall make another review.
Awful, hugely disappointing sequel
cherold24 April 2020
A Chinese Ghost Story was a charming supernatural romantic comedy with some martial arts. Its story was simple and silly, but straightforward and cohesive.
The sequel is a mess that fails on every level.
Things begin well enough. The first film's protagonist encounters cannibals, gets arrested, escapes jail, meets a sidekick, and encounters ghosts. So far so good.
But then things go totally off the rails. Revolutionaries mistake for brilliant scholar FOR NO REASON. One of the revolutionaries looks exactly like the ghost lover from the first movie, but it's just a coincidence. She and her sister fall in love with protagonist for no reason other than that they think he's this famous guy. And everyone keeps thinking he's the guy even though he is clearly incompetent in every way.
The story is convoluted and is a mix of stuff that is incomprehensible and stuff that is comprehensible but stupid. The inane plot is simply used to string together various action sequences involving unrelated demon attacks. In the original, the story and supernatural elements supported each other; here they're just thrown next to each other.
I am perplexed by so many positive reviews, since it's less funny (although there are cute things like a freeze-spell gag), more poorly structured, and far less romantic. My guess is these are people who like the wire-fu martial arts, which are a greater part of this movie. Like the first one, the effects are pretty awful, but they might be marginally better and there's a lot more of that nonsense, so I guess if you're big on cheesy, low-budget martial arts scenes then this might have something to recommend it.
But it's awful and you should ignore anyone who tells you it's good. Don't watch it.
The sequel is a mess that fails on every level.
Things begin well enough. The first film's protagonist encounters cannibals, gets arrested, escapes jail, meets a sidekick, and encounters ghosts. So far so good.
But then things go totally off the rails. Revolutionaries mistake for brilliant scholar FOR NO REASON. One of the revolutionaries looks exactly like the ghost lover from the first movie, but it's just a coincidence. She and her sister fall in love with protagonist for no reason other than that they think he's this famous guy. And everyone keeps thinking he's the guy even though he is clearly incompetent in every way.
The story is convoluted and is a mix of stuff that is incomprehensible and stuff that is comprehensible but stupid. The inane plot is simply used to string together various action sequences involving unrelated demon attacks. In the original, the story and supernatural elements supported each other; here they're just thrown next to each other.
I am perplexed by so many positive reviews, since it's less funny (although there are cute things like a freeze-spell gag), more poorly structured, and far less romantic. My guess is these are people who like the wire-fu martial arts, which are a greater part of this movie. Like the first one, the effects are pretty awful, but they might be marginally better and there's a lot more of that nonsense, so I guess if you're big on cheesy, low-budget martial arts scenes then this might have something to recommend it.
But it's awful and you should ignore anyone who tells you it's good. Don't watch it.
Part II is fantastical and fun!
OllieSuave-00714 August 2014
This is the first sequel of the iconic and fantastic Hong Kong ghost fantasy, A Chinese Ghost Story. This time, humble tax collector Ling Choi Sin (Leslie Cheung) meets rebel sisters Windy (Joey Wang) and Moon (Michelle Reis) after his escape from prison. He gets himself stumbled onto a plot where the rebels' father Lord Fu (Siu-Ming Lau) was framed for a crime. While waiting at a villa to rescue Fu from the convoy, the rebels encounter an awakened demon.
Like its prequel, this movie is fast-paced and full of action scenes and surprises, which gives the plot momentum and suspense. There is a good balance of drama and romance, as the character of Windy reminded Ling Choi Sin of his beloved tragic ghost, Lip Siu Sin, from the first movie - bridging a touching connection between the two stories.
This film also has a beautiful music score composed by James Wong and Romeo Diaz and crazy special/visual effects of the magic spells seen in the film you would have to suspend your imagination to believe. Though very wild, the magic somehow works very well and fits in this story. Lastly, the acting was great, provided by a cast of very memorable characters.
While this film does not surpass the original Chinese Ghost Story in story and quality, this movie is still entertaining and fun and certainly one of the better sequels to come out of Hong Kong.
Grade B+
Like its prequel, this movie is fast-paced and full of action scenes and surprises, which gives the plot momentum and suspense. There is a good balance of drama and romance, as the character of Windy reminded Ling Choi Sin of his beloved tragic ghost, Lip Siu Sin, from the first movie - bridging a touching connection between the two stories.
This film also has a beautiful music score composed by James Wong and Romeo Diaz and crazy special/visual effects of the magic spells seen in the film you would have to suspend your imagination to believe. Though very wild, the magic somehow works very well and fits in this story. Lastly, the acting was great, provided by a cast of very memorable characters.
While this film does not surpass the original Chinese Ghost Story in story and quality, this movie is still entertaining and fun and certainly one of the better sequels to come out of Hong Kong.
Grade B+
Confusing mess
metahumanity_017 June 2021
Impression of Chinese
a-04318-9368313 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In the eyes of the Chinese people ,It's a classic movie.These three movies( Sien nui yau wanI,II,III)are my favorite movies so far. The content is very romantic, and the heroine Joey Wong is my favorite movie star .The director of the film is very famous and In fact, the episode is also very pleasant .
A Lot Of Fun And Worthy Sequel!!
Movie-Misfit17 January 2020
After a short flashback to part one, we see the return of Leslie Cheung as he arrives in another village, where he stops to dine on some unexpected human meat before getting thrown in jail in a case of mistaken identity.
Before his execution, his cellmate elder helps him escape, giving him a talisman before doing so, then once outside, Ling steals a horse (owned by Jacky Cheung) and rides off into the forest. He soon finds shelter in an old villa, with Jacky close behind him, and as they both settle for the night, soon find out that they are not alone!
Attacked by a gang of fake ghosts (the rebels) Ling soon meets their leader, Ching Fung, who is the double of Siu Sihn - obviously played by Joey Wong - who mistakes him as the elder from the cell due to the talisman. Ling, happy to see her again, goes along with it.
A Chinese Ghost Story 2 may take a different journey to its predecessor, but it sure does entertain just as much. Leslie Cheung has returned, this time with facial hair, and the addition of the wonderful Jacky Cheung - and even Michelle Reis - is a welcome sight, with Jacky playing a character much similar to that of Wu Ma in part one.
Lau Siu Ming, who played the Tree Devil in the first, returns also - but this time as an evil priestess and completely new character...
The main monster that haunts the villa is somewhat of a let down though. I'm sure during its release it was probably more impressive, but to me, it hasn't dated well and often looks too mechanical to take seriously enough! The overall feel of the movie seems quite different, with a faster pace and more action as opposed to part one's often visual slow motion, romantic horror. It feels more like a cousin of the fantastic Zu Warriors (also from Hark), with a more comedic script and bigger fantastical enemies such as the 9 foot tall monster, and an incredibly huge centipede...
But that's not to say its a bad thing!
Waise Lee has one of his best roles, I think, as the blade wielding fighter who pops up throughout. The wonderful Wu Ma returns for the last act, just in time to save the gang as they hit their limit battling evil. Joey Wong and Michelle Reis play sisters (and leaders of the rebel gang), which leads to some confusion in love as a triangle starts to form between themselves and Ling.
The action of course, seems to be the main focus here, and with Ching Siu Tung still behind the helm, you know you won't be disappointed. There is plenty of it - more than part one, and everyone seems to get in on it. While the film as a whole is not as captivating as the first, it still entertains for its whole running time and offers something a little different for the fans...
Overall: Hark and Ching crank things up a little, but it is still an incredibly exciting piece of Hong Kong cinema!
Before his execution, his cellmate elder helps him escape, giving him a talisman before doing so, then once outside, Ling steals a horse (owned by Jacky Cheung) and rides off into the forest. He soon finds shelter in an old villa, with Jacky close behind him, and as they both settle for the night, soon find out that they are not alone!
Attacked by a gang of fake ghosts (the rebels) Ling soon meets their leader, Ching Fung, who is the double of Siu Sihn - obviously played by Joey Wong - who mistakes him as the elder from the cell due to the talisman. Ling, happy to see her again, goes along with it.
A Chinese Ghost Story 2 may take a different journey to its predecessor, but it sure does entertain just as much. Leslie Cheung has returned, this time with facial hair, and the addition of the wonderful Jacky Cheung - and even Michelle Reis - is a welcome sight, with Jacky playing a character much similar to that of Wu Ma in part one.
Lau Siu Ming, who played the Tree Devil in the first, returns also - but this time as an evil priestess and completely new character...
The main monster that haunts the villa is somewhat of a let down though. I'm sure during its release it was probably more impressive, but to me, it hasn't dated well and often looks too mechanical to take seriously enough! The overall feel of the movie seems quite different, with a faster pace and more action as opposed to part one's often visual slow motion, romantic horror. It feels more like a cousin of the fantastic Zu Warriors (also from Hark), with a more comedic script and bigger fantastical enemies such as the 9 foot tall monster, and an incredibly huge centipede...
But that's not to say its a bad thing!
Waise Lee has one of his best roles, I think, as the blade wielding fighter who pops up throughout. The wonderful Wu Ma returns for the last act, just in time to save the gang as they hit their limit battling evil. Joey Wong and Michelle Reis play sisters (and leaders of the rebel gang), which leads to some confusion in love as a triangle starts to form between themselves and Ling.
The action of course, seems to be the main focus here, and with Ching Siu Tung still behind the helm, you know you won't be disappointed. There is plenty of it - more than part one, and everyone seems to get in on it. While the film as a whole is not as captivating as the first, it still entertains for its whole running time and offers something a little different for the fans...
Overall: Hark and Ching crank things up a little, but it is still an incredibly exciting piece of Hong Kong cinema!
more a repeat than a sequel
mjneu5910 November 2010
Only in Hong Kong would a martial arts-action-comedy mixing humor, horror, romance, and at least one song and dance number be given such a generic title. The sequel is no less noisy or frenetic then the original, and the bigger budget means better translated subtitles. But except for some cheesy, papier-mâché monsters and grubby special effects (an old man's eyes boiling out of his face, for example) the more polished production lacks the sloppy, innocent charm of Part One, and as in any sequel the excitement of discovery is diminished. On the other hand Part Two makes even less sense (if that's possible), despite telling essentially the same story: the headlong pace hides not only most of the plot holes, but much of the plot as well. A synopsis would be impossible; suffice to say there aren't too many movies able to claim the novelty of a scene set inside the digestive tract of a giant airborne centipede.
I wish the first film had been the only film
keala24 October 2000
SINNUI YAUMAN II isn't bad at all, but it's disappointing. It isn't as funny, exciting, touching or visually inventive as its predecessor. The device used to reintroduce Joey Wong into the story is just plain wrong; if they didn't want to bring back her original character ( I have to admit they probably couldn't) they should have come up with a new love interest played by a new actress. Limiting Wu Ma to such a brief appearance limits his chemistry with Leslie Cheung, which is one of the things that made the first film such fun, and there's just about no one else here, except Cheung, who has as much charisma. It is a novel way to bring back the two actors, but it's a letdown.
As for Cheung himself, he just isn't as disarming here as in the original; he doesn't fit his character as well. There's also what seems to be some kind of political allegory near the end that doesn't fit the rest of the story - maybe you have to be more familiar than I am with China to appreciate it? Oh, maybe I'm griping too much; it has its good moments (especially a scene concerning a slowly 'thawing' monster)...just not nearly as many as 1987's SINNUI YAUMAN. It waters down the impact of that jewel a bit, and frankly, I wish they'd taken all the good stuff in this film and used it on some entirely different project.
As for Cheung himself, he just isn't as disarming here as in the original; he doesn't fit his character as well. There's also what seems to be some kind of political allegory near the end that doesn't fit the rest of the story - maybe you have to be more familiar than I am with China to appreciate it? Oh, maybe I'm griping too much; it has its good moments (especially a scene concerning a slowly 'thawing' monster)...just not nearly as many as 1987's SINNUI YAUMAN. It waters down the impact of that jewel a bit, and frankly, I wish they'd taken all the good stuff in this film and used it on some entirely different project.
Disappointing sequel, but fun
Conniption12 May 2003
Chinese Ghost Story may well be the best HK film I've seen, effortlessly combining fantasy, romance, horror, kung fu action and comedy, and pulling all these elements off fantastically.
It's sequel however... well, how do you describe a movie whose main villain is a giant centipede masquerading as a levitating golden buddha that shoots laser beams out its eyes? This movie is a jarring change of pace from the original - it's pretty much an incoherent, rambling, silly and occasionally hilarious mess. The best scene sees Leslie Cheung battling a monster with a 'freeze' spell which he manages to cast on everyone and anyone - even himself - A-grade slapstick.
Still, don't go out of your way to see this.
It's sequel however... well, how do you describe a movie whose main villain is a giant centipede masquerading as a levitating golden buddha that shoots laser beams out its eyes? This movie is a jarring change of pace from the original - it's pretty much an incoherent, rambling, silly and occasionally hilarious mess. The best scene sees Leslie Cheung battling a monster with a 'freeze' spell which he manages to cast on everyone and anyone - even himself - A-grade slapstick.
Still, don't go out of your way to see this.
Best sequel to a movie I have seen yet!
wizard523319 April 2001
Usually the sequel to a movie isn't really that good. But for this movie it is awesome! The storyline is just as good, and again the performances by the actors and actresses are really good. This again shows how good Hong Kong Cinema was in the early 90's.
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