Shao Lin jiang shi

But the person here who merely copied over the PR blurb as a review should have it's pointy 'lil head checked :P

I wasn't expecting MR VAMPIRE 2004, and that's a good thing. This wasn't as nearly as good as it should have, even given the low budget treatment. Gordon Liu can only do so much to help this film. In comparison to any of the original Hopping Zombie films of the past, this doesn't hold a Joss stick - but if you are used to subtitled ATV or TVB series then this could be right up your alley.

Also, FYI: this is PART ONE of a two part series, even though little information to this effect has been found. Thus, there have been lots of reviews that mention the 'abrupt ending' as a turnoff...understandable.

Actually I enjoyed this movie. This film is no gorefest, it's quite mild. Apparently when they imported they decided to market it as a cross between martial arts schlock and horror schlock, which would certainly be enjoyable in its own way, but that's not what it is, so it's not surprising many were disappointed.

I found it enjoyable for the authentic cultural touches...combatting evil and undead with a Taoist slant rather than crosses is quite interesting.

The abrupt ending with what must be scenes from part II rolled in a small box next to the credits was certainly clumsy and disconcerting though.

Everybody Is Zombie Fighting! It's Kill Bill meets The Evil Dead in this rousing martial arts horror auctioneer starring the one and only "Master Killer" himself, Gordon Liu (Kill Bill 1, Kill Bill 2, Master Killer) Taoists priests Park (Liu) and Hak (Terry Fan from The Story Of Ricky and Iron Fist) have been competing with each other for leadership of their school by using various sorcerers. But when their battle accidentally awakens the King of the Vampires, who as laid dormant for a thousand years. Pak and Hak must unite and use the 5 Elements Formation to stop the demon and his army of darkness. Will their powers be enough to defeat this invincible immortal? Filled with hopping vampires, exploding zombies, and dazzling fights, Shaolin vs. Evil Dead is a nonstop special-effect kung fu gore fest!

Shaolin VS The Evil Dead is true to its title. Having Gordon Liu as a Shaolin monk as the lead is certainly not a bad idea either. This film is a hybrid of martial arts, horror and comedy. This magical brew certainly works with all the kung fu fighting, hopping vampires, black magic and tongue in cheek humor than you can shake a stick it. I thought this was done pretty well and it put a smile on my face. Gordon Liu has aged well and even though he is in his 70's is still in fighting form and doesn't look like he aged much since Master Killer.l Being entertained is something you can definitely take to the bank with Shaolin VS The Evil Dead.

Throw a low-budget movie together with some Chinese vampires, likable kung-fu master, psychedelic special-effects, a good-looking babe and some funny sidekicks and what do you get? If you're lucky, you end up with a classic like Mr. Vampire. If you're not lucky, you end up with Shaolin vs. Evil Dead.

It isn't that the movie is a low-budget piece of garbage that is totally convoluted and incomprehensible (far from it) the problem is that it suffers from the medium budget mediocrity of most straight to video or made for TV fantasy movies. Although it contains all of the aforementioned fun ingredients (kung-fu, zombies, babe etc.), it just doesn't contain enough of these elements in enough exciting or outlandish ways to be considered anything close to a cult classic. (So don't expect anything as funny as a Stephen Chow movie or as over the top as the real Evil Dead movies: both of those are in a class all their own.)

With that being said, I can say that I was fairly entertained for 90 minutes (it's always a treat to see Gordon Liu) and it makes for good Saturday Matinée popcorn movie fare: moving fast, and keeping up the comic book imagery. It is a fairly sincere attempt by the small cast and offers good character development if there ever is a part two.

And yes, the cut to the credits is ridiculously abrupt for no apparent reason. (Couldn't they have at least finished the current scene?) but other than this goof (which seems to be making many enemies of the film) it *does* come pretty close to delivering what it promises on the cover. It is after all named "Shaolin vs. Evil Dead".