Encounter of the Spooky Kind (1980)

An excellent combination of martial arts, comedy and horror, this outstanding film helped pave the way for the comedy/horror genre that filled Hong Kong production studios in the '80s and '90s. All of the clichés and fun elements of the genre are present and correct in this nicely-budgeted romp, which doesn't let up from the word go. Our guide and hero through the film is the one and only Sammo Hung, here on top form as both star and director. As the star, Hung puts in a great and funny performance, his comedy skills (mostly acting terrified of the dead) matched by his superior martial arts abilities, ably demonstrated in lots of cool fight scenes. As a director, Hung is in his element and delivers a colourful, exciting, never-lets-up comic book style romp.The plot takes in all kinds of bizarre characters and situations, there's even a guy with a huge hairy mole on his cheek which seems to be the stand for every '70s kung fu flick. Intense set-pieces include nights spent in a haunted temple, jailbreaks, plus the rip-roaring climax which involves the classic duel of wizards and tons of non-stop action. The martial arts sequences are fantastic, especially a fight scene in a restaurant where Hung uses a bench to protect him from razor-sharp swords, and the finale, where Hung and his opponents are possessed by gods and perform superhuman techniques (anyone who doesn't chuckle at Hung's "monkey god" style has to be dead, or possessed).As well as the action, ENCOUNTERS OF THE SPOOKY KIND fulfils its horror quota by including lots of bizarre situations and horrific moments. From the opening shots of zombies tearing open Hung's leg to the spectacular duel between the wizards, this is extreme stuff. Ghosts come out of mirrors and kill people and Sammo's own arm is possessed by evil (two ideas later borrowed by Sam Raimi in his EVIL DEAD II). Elsewhere we have bizarre and complex magic rituals complete with on-screen chicken death (shocking) and some hilarious mumbo-jumbo gobbledegook that the evil magician chants. It doesn't make sense but it sounds great. The film features a great slapstick sequence involving a zombie who copies Sammo's every move, and a hopping corpse which is raised from the dead to attack our hero. It's just like KUGN FU ZOMBIE, but with a decent budget.The main strength of the movie is through the sheer dynamism of Hung and his cohorts and the inventiveness of the scenes. Something new and original is happening in every shot, you sit spellbound watching the events play out and it's one of those films you have to sit through in one go, no time for tea breaks or snacks in between. Possession, zombies, magic duels, and even a few voodoo dolls thrown into the mix make this a killer of a film. Check out the final shot, a real adrenaline burst that will make you stand up out of your chair and cheer our hero on. A great slice of Hong Kong escapism and one of the best out there.

What can I say about a film that had me in tears of laughter. It's not really a horror though you will jump during certain scenes. Don't watch a dubbed version as the jokes are funnier when translated. The action is first rate and all the performances are... 'dead pan'. Just remember to never agree to a bet that might kill you!!!!

I rented this movie after hearing a lot of good things about as far as action, comedy, and inventiveness was concerned. I must say I wasn't disappointed. This movie is off the wall; anyone who isn't used to Hong Kong cinema, their heads will explode by the finale. The movie has vampires, ghosts, possession, kung fu, comedy, monkey talk, random acts of violence against poultry, Lam Ching Ying, and then some. The martial arts choreography is good and the acrobatics are great, esp. for Sammo. Overall, a movie that needs to be seen to be believed.

This is a funny and inventive movie. its plot centers around a fat feudal peon named Couragous Cheung (Sammo). He has a reputation for never turning down a bet for money, no matter how foolish. The problem is that his wife is cheating on him with his master. His wife and and master conspire to have him knocked off by having a man dare him to sleep in an abandoned temple overnight while a hired sorcerer raise zombies to take care of him. Two problems stop them. First, Cheung is highly skilled in Kung-fu, and second, the sorcerer's brother is giving him advice on how to survive. The two sorcerers head toward a final magical showdown while cheung takes on his master in a duel.There are many brilliant scenes in this film. at one part Sammo's right hand becomes possessed by the sorcerer and begins beating him and everyone around him ala EVIL DEAD. The Scene is well choreographed and hilarious to watch. There are numerous fights throughout the film. all extremely fast and furious.