The Era of Vampires (2003)

The way they jump! "jump around. jump around... jump up, jump up, and get down!"

To start this off, I have a question: how come no one has reviewed this YET?!
(because it's old C-production, over-the-top acting Hong Kong lame movie)
I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT.

Firstly, I have to admit: I have first seen it when it came out (being that old and all) :)
Secondly, my review is heavily influenced by my personal preference in horror-comedy and all thing weird,
Thirdly, it's the fact that this is sorta film you better watch with a buddy - to enhance the giggle factor.
Lastly, if you can: watch with Cantonese audio and not the dubbed versions.

WHERE, you ask: It's been on YouTube for the past 10+ years.

We found it funny. Not only the first time we saw it.
We came back to watch it again.. and as time passes, we come back for it as it provides the type of joy we need: IT'S A SILLY master & disciples (Nightwish, anyone?) vampire fighting story with a lot of hissing. (no, not KISSING, hissing)

What is this about, as the opening screen on flm itself will tell you:
"In 17th century rural China during Ching Dynasty, Zombies roamed the land feeding on human flesh, a nasty habit that turned them into vampires. Only a handful of skilled warriors dared to challenge these mythical demons of the night. this is their story"
(no spoilers: but there's ROMANCE and the second couple is hilarious)
To put it as simply as possible: there's a New Bride in red, there's melting vax (you've been warned), there's kung fu, there's quirky humor, there's eye-sucking demon power (you've been warned), there's bad blood between family members and a great brotherhood.
It feels old-school cool, like those old time kung-fu master kind of films (which makes sense).

What I liked (despite being BIASED) is the fact that the story is balanced in a perfect way: sure, there's gore and horror, with lot of night scenes, but it's mixed in with some wonderful shots of daylight (coming through the slightly opened door thus illuminating the viewers screen only partially, leaving the image light & dark in a diagonal cut - we liked that detail!). What we also liked it is the mystery enhanced by fog , giving a possible shapes to things that moat possibly aren't there (as viewers we just expected something to jump out of.. anything, and it felt thrilling). and the fight scenes are choreographed PERFECTLY. They dance on screen, I tell you.

Biased as I am (hence writing this review) I can't say that I dislike anything.
I prefer old school film, with less CGI and dance-like combat, but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.

If nothing: watch it for the fight with Final Boss
...and maybe for the fact that not all zombies run for you: some HOP AROUND.

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