Mr. Vampire Saga IV

The original MR. VAMPIRE is considered the best Chinese horror/comedy ever and it's no surprise that it inspired so many sequels and copycat imitations back in the 80s. The first sequel was gentler and more family-oriented while the second sequel really pumped up the horror elements. This third sequel is a return to the style of the original with a perfect balance of the scary and the silly. I've seen this movie four times now and it's still as entertaining as it was the first time. A real treat for HK action movie fans is seeing Yuen Wah (usually typecast as the ultra-tough bad guy) playing a VERY effeminate character. Another unique element to the movie is its comedic take on the differences between Taoism and Buddhism as the two masters try to outdo each other, especially funny during the "voodoo" doll sequence. Another profoundly silly moment has the two masters throwing food at each other which ends up with Wu Ma blowing beans out of his nose into the mouth of the Taoist. There's comedy, action and horror! Something for everybody!

This is the unofficial "Part 4" of the "Mr. Vampire" film series. Vampire Buster actor Lam Ching Ying does not appear in this film; however, two veteran actors, Anthony Chan and Wu Ma, appear and star as the dueling Taoist and Buddhist priests. The first half of the film start off with them feuding with each other and tricking one another with magic spells, with their disciples played by Chin Kar Lok and Loletta Lee caught in the crossfires. I find the dueling scenes pretty funny and, while it does not involve any Kung-Fu or horror action, it does provide you with some great entertainment. Vampire action does not begin until the middle of the film, where you see the protagonists putting their differences aside and do battle with the menacing creatures.

The horror in this film is sometimes dwarfed by some kiddie-like jokes and the overly light-hearted and whimsical music score, which, in addition with Lam Ching Ying's absence, distances this film somewhat from the other "Mr. Vampire movies." However, the saving grace of this film are the Kung-Fu action and that the main Vampire was executive very well - very creepy and menacing looking.

If you are a fan of Hong Kong horror/fantasy movies, give this film a watch by all means.

Grade B

April 2021

Wow wow wow.. Mr Vampire saga IV (Mr Vampire 4) , so despite the initial dissapointment of no Lam Ching Ying, this is still one of my 3 favourite Mr Vampire style films along with Mr Vampire 3 and Musical Vampire.

This one focuses heavy on the comedy, in fact you forget the fact that vampires don't really figure in the film until halfway through.

Some truly amazing stuff here.

Fantabulous

10 out of 10.

Lam Ching Ying, the original Mr. Vampire, has left the building. The comedic duo in this movie are fellow veteran actors, Wu Ma and Anthony Chan, who play rivalling Buddhist and Taoist priests respectfully. That is, until a big ol' vampire shows up and they have to join forces to defeat it.

There is an unfortunate gay stereotype in the form of a sissy eunuch played by stuntman/actor Yuen Wah who pursues Chan's nubile (male) apprentice. I imagine it must've been pretty funny to the clueless audience back in the day but it's just cringey to me now. Otherwise, the humor and fighting in this movie aren't half bad.

I simply adore MR. VAMPIRE, as it's one of my favorite films --- the perfect blend of comedy, martial arts and horror. Part 2 was enjoyable, if whimsical and Part 3, a strong ensemble cast that it is almost on the same level as the original. So the odds must be promising for MR VAMPIRE 4? Must be? Sure, Ricky Lau is back and it sticks to the formula (Taoist and his clumsy pupil battling the paranormal), but after Part 3 favored horror atmospherics, this time around it was leaning heavily on lightweight slapstick comedy, like Part 2 did. But the missing link; a stoic Lam Ching-Ying with his graceful martial art talents and it really does show in the final product. Still, I got a kick out of this over-the-top, playful and downright likeable HK supernatural comedy, even if now the franchise is at its most silliest.

There's not a lot to the story with its loose arrangement, even the whole vampire/antagonist angle doesn't come into it play until over halfway through. Therefore it kind of feels tacked on when that side of the story commences. The introducing scene of Anthony Chan (who returns after being in the original) as the four-eyed Taoist, herding his hopping vampires through the nighttime forest, where he encounters Pauline Wong Yuk-Wan's seductive fox spirit (blowing bubbles and glowing red kisses) is probably the most effective moment in the film. Mainly how it balanced its laughs, and dazzling fantasy elements with its stylish use of imagery. Then it becomes grounded, spending more time on student Chai-Le (Chin Ka-lok) trying to woo pupil Ching-Ching (Rachel Lee), while four-eyed Taoist and his neighboring Buddha monk (series regular Wu Ma) constantly feud, or try to better each other in their craft like in a competing live-action cartoon. It's Chan and Ma's dynamics and psychical interplay early on, keeping the film's energy buoyant and moving. The two eventually must settle their differences when an ancient vampire (in ghastly make-up FX) is resurrected by an electrical storm in the nearby woods. From then onwards all the ingredients are there; non-stop kung-fu filtered with slow-mo, minor aerial acrobats, frenetic pacing, fluorescent visual effects, hopping vampires, magic spells, firecrackers and a huge dose of broad humor all within tight quarters.