The Mad Monk (1993)

Why so much hype?

Dreadfully Boring

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

No, this isn't another version of the Rasputin story, but instead a crazed and madcap comedy from Hong Kong. It stars popular comic actor Stephen Chow as a celestial entity who comes down to Earth to inhabit the body of a crazy monk and whose job is to change the lives of three people: a prostitute, a beggar, and a murderer. The film was directed by Johnnie To, long before he became known for his gritty gangster movies.And what a wearying movie this is! How much you enjoy it depends on how much you like Chinese comedy. It's one of the fastest-paced and crazy Chinese comedies I've watched, with a pace that never flags and more incident than a dozen similar Hollywood productions. The early scenes set in Heaven in which all of the gods and deities (including a cameoing Anita Mui) argue and debate is truly imaginative stuff and the imagination keeps flowing once the action moves to Earth.Chow gives an exaggerated performance as the lead and he's matched by the supporting cast. Maggie Cheung has never looked lovelier as the put-upon prostitute while Anthony Wong is clearly having a ball as the boil-covered beggar. At times THE MAD MONK is hard to watch purely because it's so noisy and incident-filled that it becomes a bit headache-inducing. A lot of the gags are low brow but there's also wit and inventiveness here. There's nothing quite like it. I particularly enjoyed the gruesome and downbeat stuff that takes place towards the end and the kaiju homage. You'll probably want to sleep for 24 hours after you finish it.

I watch a lot of Hong Kong movies. When I bought this one, I didn't realize that the version I bought did not have English subtitles. I watched it in Mandarin, with no subtitles, and I still found it quite entertaining! Stephen Chow is a comedic genius who transcends language.The basic theme, of a fairy from heaven who comes to earth, can be found in his other movies as well. In the fairy's life as a human, we understand more about ourselves. Stephen Chow has good insight into human character, motivation, and what is essential to a good life.His earnest desire to make other peoples' lives better is reflected in the fates of his three "subjects".

Stephen Chow plays an angel-type being in this movie, in where he bets the other people in Heaven that he can change the ways of 3 misguided souls and make them better people.Ressurected as a monk, he must stop a prostitute, a beggar, and an all around bad guy from being what they are (and have been for generations). To add to all of this, he must do this in 3 Heaven days!!!

Typical fare for the most part, saved by some very funny situations and some terrific effects! The beauty contest ending is worth the wait... Is it the best one joke film ever made?