Rigor Mortis

"Rigor Mortis" is Hong Kong's call-back to new resurgence of horror/fantasy. Billed as a feature film inspired by a popular the popular Vampire films of the 80's. this movie gives us a dark, wondrous nightmare. Starring Anthony Chan, Siu-Ho Chin, Kara Hui, Hoi-Pang Lo, Richard Ng, and Hee Ching Paw. The plot revolves around an ex actor on a downward spiral, longing for death, who moves into an apartment tower where realm of supernatural and humanity are entwined.

"Rigor Mortis" offers a fantastical fantasy world of horror, drama and Hong Kong action. The story is multi-layered with lives tangled in a hellish fate. There are elements of melodrama and gore that move in a wonderful ballet of emotion and carnage. I feel that the story works as a modern retelling of some ancient Chinese fable, the concepts and character development seem so complex and powerful that it just screams of morality wisdom from the past. Either way it is a tale that embraces both the old supernatural beliefs and contemporary style that proves Hong Kong's dominance over this blended fantasy/horror genre.

The special effects and soundtrack utilized in "Rigor Mortis" is top notch. The sounds are creepy, often creating a dark atmosphere of desperation scene after scene. The sets where depressing, lifeless tombs of fading lives that would send chills up Takashi Shimizu and Clive Barker's backs. "Rigor Mortis" uses some pretty spectacular CGI and practical effects for the fantasy and horror elements. Epic visual moments weave into the film in true whimsical opulence while the blood soaked gore combined with the chilling horror scenes create a nightmare fantasy that captivates and entertains. Just based on "Rigor Mortis" as an independent entity untethered from it's inspiration, homages and such I found this to be one of the best horror/fantasy films that I have ever seen. "Rigor Mortis" is Juno Mak's masterpiece and a must see film!

Director Juno Mak brings us a horror HK movie like nothing else, a story about a former actor who makes his new home at a creepy, dark and depressed-looking Hong Kong public housing tower. There, he encounters a slew of ghosts and zombies.

It was nice to see a brand new horror movie from Hong Kong that pays homage to the classic Mr. Vampire and other ghost genre movies of the 1980s-1990s. Actors from the original Mr. Vampire series reunited to star in this film, including Chin Siu Ho, Anthony Chan, Billy Lau, Chung Fat and Richard Ng. They, including others in the movie, gave a very powerful and dramatic performance in their respective roles. Lai-yin Leung and Philip Yung wrote a very moody, dark and eerie story that, despite being a homage, provided a huge departure to the Chinese vampire/ghost movies of the 80s and 90s. The usual lighthearted humor and slapstick comedy seen in those movies were sorely absent in this film.

The darkness and gloomy atmosphere that surrounded this movie almost made it seem that the heydays of those classic ghost/vampire movies were long gone. Still, though, the setting and cinematography were a nice touch and it accentuated the horror and solemn drama felt in the film.

The plot goes at a fairly fast pace, keeping you engaged and intrigued. The main vampire in the film was executed very well and all the events leading to its appearances provided enough creepiness and terror to make the hair raise behind your neck.

While a pretty scary and intriguing movie, many of the plot points are confusing and the special effects team relied too heavily on CGI. The two female ghosts portrayed in the film seemed like a rip-off of The Grudge and the hopping vampire didn't really hop much - just gliding from place to place with heavy CGI influence. In addition, the bloody gore and adult themes were done overboard.

Overall, it's not a horrible movie. I prefer watching the Chinese vampires movies of the 80s and 90s, but this one is worth the watch at least once for a good scare and reminiscing.

Grade C-

Being picked for the Toronto International Film Festival's Midnight Madness Series with your first ever feature film is an achievement unto itself. But that is exactly what Hong Kong pop star-turned-director, Juno Mak finds himself with his first film, Rigor Mortis.

Described as a tribute to the horror-comedy series Mr. Vampire, Rigor Mortis takes its audience to an apartment complex where aging actor Chin Sui-Ho finds himself moping after the loss of his wife and son. Ghosts and spirits are already known to loiter the halls of the building, but when a grieving resident attempts a ritual to bring her husband back from the dead the residents are forced to confront the evil of the supernatural including a vampire like creature that terrorizes the residents.

Filled with some remarkable effects complimenting the very dark and dreary setting of the depraved building, Rigor Mortis is pea soup thick with atmosphere. Asian cinema has always been the front runners in bringing ghost stories to the masses (Dark Water, Ju-on, Ringu), and director Juno Mak has surrounded himself with a top effects team to bring his creatures to life.

Unfortunately, the visuals are not enough to save the film from the mediocrity pool. The script is slow in getting to the goods and its complexity reminded us of Timur Bekmambetov's Night Watch – a glorious looking film that got lost among its effects. The indulgence is particularly evident in the film's finale which includes a wonderful fight between our protagonist, the vampire like creature and two ghostly twins.

Fans of the Mr. Vampire series may end up scratching their heads wondering where the comedic punch from their series has gone as Rigor Mortis has hardly two laughs to share from credits to credits. It's as serious as a heart-attack even if the EKG indicates it only to be a mild one. Suicides, rape and even the placement of harm's way of a small boy are some of the serious overtones that engulf the moods of the film. Usually such melancholy is exactly what the horror doctor orders, but Rigor Mortis plays more like a psychedelic bad dream than a viable horror film worthy of our recommendation.

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Rigor Mortis is not a horror movie that is eager to scare the pants out of people. As what the trailer suggests, it is a moody atmospheric horror movie that is borderline art-house. What may surprise audience is that it actually takes its time to develop the story.

The story: It is quite straight-forward. A man moves into a spooky apartment in a 'washed- out' building. It is expected as spirits inhabit the apartment and things happen. Hold on before you think this will turn into a thrilling and scary ride. In fact, this favours slow-burning thrills and pace. It doesn't move in a break-neck pace but strangely the slow-burning pace will urge you to find out more. It builds up to a visually stunning climax where a fight with the vampire ensues. The stylish effects including the slo-mo and a few brief fight scenes enhance the movie, adding a flavour to it. The moody atmosphere of the movie is commendable.

Overall: It is commendable that this breaks away from the other horror movies. Instead it is a bleak but stylish horror movie with a slower pace. Watch this movie without thinking too much and let the story reveal its truth in its own style.

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How could one not enjoy this visual feast thoroughly is beyond me. It's a sad state of affair that this movie doesn't rate higher on IMDb. Granted, the narration is rather obscure, the ending a bit botched (hence not a 10/10 for me).

Once you let go and you stop trying to understand every second of it, this movie becomes like watching the most fantastic nightmare you've ever seen. Visually, sound-wise, music-wise, it's simply mind-blowing. It's extremely poetic and disturbing rather than terrifying, which might explain some ratings. It's Murnau's Nosferatu meets Ring meets Kung Fu Hustle.

The Japanese horror elements are there but carefully blended with Chinese folklore and shooting style, so the movie remains original. The story ends up making sense overall if you're patient enough, even though some elements of it remain a bit fuzzy. Watching this movie is like getting a shot of something strong, getting slapped in the face and kissed by a beautiful woman (my wife) all at the same time.

One of the most enjoyable - if puzzling at times - movies in a long, long time.