Writer: Ezekiel Lee Zhiang Yang

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Watch this if you liked: “Painted Skin” (2008), “Beautiful Carp Spirit” (1965), “The Enchanting Shadow” (1960)

With only residual comedic elements left from Tsui Hark's trilogy, especially the celebrated '87 original starring Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong Cho Yin, 2011's "A Chinese Ghost Story" ("A Chinese Fairy Tale" in some territories) really ought to have been darker or more romantic - but at any rate, more fun, especially at its US $20 million tag.

"Ip Man" helmer Wilson Yip together with action-director Ma Yuk Shing have produced a reupdate that deceptively does recapture some of that old magic, chiefly through "Painted Skin" cinematographer Arthur Wong and production designer Kenneth Mak - but as a whole, the creative decisions behind the film fail to elevate this to anything beyond forgettable catalogue material, although on its own, without the association of its illustrious forerunners (including even the "Chinese Erotic Ghost Story" spin-offs), it would've held itself up nicely as a moderately-satisfying, cross-genre standalone.

Showcasing Crystal Liu Yi Fei and Louis Koo Tin Lok in the leading roles of demoness and demon hunter of the oft-told Qing tale, we are taken back once more to familiar sword-and-sandal territories in ancient Chinese village life. The director's assurance that this isn't a remake was probably based on ill-advised marketing speak or poor Chinese translation - because this is obviously a reupdate to the franchise, albeit with plenty of CGI work to complement the traditional SFX.

Instead of Ming Sir as an effeminate demon in the '87 genesis, we have veteran Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung) as a crabapple tree demoness who tortures her minions, like Siu Sin (Liu) who is trapped in the netherworld while entertaining the romantic impossibilities of getting back with her human ex, Chek Ha (Koo) or with young new suitor Ling (Yu Shao Qun in Leslie Cheung's role). To younger generations unfamiliar with Cheung's classic, "A Chinese Ghost Story" is like Hong Kong's new "Twilight" - down to its uninspired emotional downtime that evokes only shallow emotional resonance.

Oh well, Ronald Ng's ethereal music score almost had us fooled. Time to dig up Li Han Hsiang's 60s "The Enchanting Shadow" on DVD.

Cinema Online, 19 April 2011