Horror Bites - Hopping Mad (Bonus)

MAGIC COP (1990)

Aka Mr. Vampire 5. Not to be confused with the other part five (see Vampire vs. Vampire) or Mr. Vampire 1992. That's right; here's where the series gets confusing with numbers and enters the bizarre realm of films like the Yes, Madam! series. But while those non-sequels swapped out their lead star here Lam Ching-ying is (usually) present in some capacity. This time it's a return to the modern world for more fish out of water comedy and more black magic madness. His sidekicks are still two idiots and a pretty girl, there's another witch, and there are some familiar gadgets. But while the usual tropes are back it's also a return to things like fresh supernatural elements and good pacing.

Horror Bites - Hopping Mad Part III

MR VAMPIRE SEQUELS (1988-1989)

You'd think that given the success of a movie formula the 'same but different' approach would work the best. However, despite familiar faces and occasional nods to past instalments this is a series that often has an identity crisis. At least parts four and five include vampires this time around, but the actual quality is debatable. Once again neither film is a real sequel to anything that came along earlier. They both toy with the framework in different ways... but it seems obvious that less odd experimentation and more direct inspiration would have been simpler and more effective.

Horror Bites - Hopping Mad Part II

MR VAMPIRE SEQUELS (1986-1987)

While there are often a lot of sequels to be found in the world of Hong Kong action many of them fail to capture the lighting in a bottle of the original film. They can be weirdly thin and yet at the same time over-written and convoluted. Something like Project A: Part II might have some great set pieces but it lacks the heart and the straightforward story. But at least in that case it was a clear cut successor to the first movie that continued where things left off. With these second and third instalments neither of them is a real continuation which is a problem. However, other issues also detract from the overall experience.

Horror Bites - Hopping Mad

MR. VAMPIRE (1985)

Time for an old favourite from the archives of Hong Kong cinema; one that's a great blend of all the usual martial arts stunts and humour you get in many of these Golden Harvest features, plus some of the weirdest vampire lore out there. If you like strange supernatural rules (and inept people breaking them) this is worth checking out. Forget the garlic and the holy water, these are not your usual bloodsuckers. They hop about on two legs because of rigor-mortis, and their state of death also leaves them blind. Hold your breath or they'll smell you hiding... somehow. Apparently the dead have improved senses elsewhere. They also have a strong dislike for certain kinds of rice...

HCF Review - Momotaro

MAGIC OF SPELL (1988)

Following on from The Haunted Cop Shop it’s time to turn things up a notch and get into something truly bonkers. Forget about ghosts and bloodsuckers, forget about dreamscapes, and the modern times; this is ancient Japan… by way of Taiwanese cinema. Which means this is one of the greatest sub-genres; fantasy Buddhism where the power of Bodhisattva is less about enlightenment and more about laser beams. Of course there is some connecting tissue with this as a collection of supernatural comedies. There are still plenty of slapstick moments, and crazy shenanigans along the way, so again how much of this holds up in terms of a coherent movie overall will need examination.

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