Out of the Dark (1995)

OUT OF THE DARK is a typically slapdash and knockabout comedy from star Stephen Chow, here directed by Jeffrey Lau who also wrote the script. The story is in part a throwback to the 1980s comedy horror genre and sees Chow playing a lunatic who decides to help a disparate bunch of characters in their efforts to exorcise a haunted apartment building.The whole thing is an excuse for lots of ludicrous and low brow comedy in which all kinds of things kick off. There are references to THE EVIL DEAD throughout and scenes of characters being chased around by chainsaw psychos. Chow's character is inspired by Jean Reno in LEON and he even carries a pot plant around while Karen Mok wears Natalie Portman's outfit from that movie. There are criminals, gangsters, murderers, gore, and severed head spirits, and a super-fast pace that means things never become boring. It's not one of Chow's best movies, but it does the job well enough.

i believe firmly in the fact that if one is to enjoy a stephen chow movie one has to suspend ones belief in what is real. this movie is weird, with no real sense of direction, but it does have stephen chow in the garb that jean reno wears in the movie " leon, the professional ", including the shades. oh, his name in the movie is also Leon.this movie is a first for stephen chow cause it also has elements of horror and Chinese superstitions about ghosts and the afterlife abundantly mixed in.i don't really know what to say about this movie except that its weird, but it does have its funny moments though. as a matter of fact, the comedic moments are scattered thru-out the film.it is definitely not one of his best, but i still enjoyed it. if your watching for the first time some of the stuff is pretty creepy too. its just a weird mix of comedy horror that is totally different then the ones made in the west.what one has to do before watching the movie is to put the belief in normalcy aside and just try to enjoy it. there are some really funny moments in this movie but it doesn't know if its a horror or a comedy movie, but the actors look like they are having fun doing it and that is very important for me.

Truly, one of Chow's best efforts to date. The first twenty minutes or so is pretty uneventful save for a few scenes with the now well-known crew, but the moment Leon (Stephen Chow) enters the stage hilarity ensues. His appearance (black round glasses, a plant by his side etc) as well as his name is an obvious parody of Leon the Professional, especially if you add the silly outfit Kwan (Karen Mok) sports later on, deliberately reminiscent of Natalie Portman's garment in the said cult movie. Make no mistake, this is a ghost movie, the kind only Stephen Chow could make. Wui wan yeh is a must for any fan of Chow's and beyond.

Stephen Chow plays an "insane" person who is not afraid of anything. He also appears to be parodying Leon (the professional). Carrying his trusty plant and bag of cling wrap and chocolates he helps a young girl to rid her building of a couple mean ghosts.This is a must see for any Stephen Chow fan, and at least a renter for any fan of chinese comedy. This ranks up there with Shaolin Soccer and God Of Cookery on my list.