A Chinese Ghost Story I Ii Iii -1987-1990-1991-... -
Following the massive success of the original, Tsui Hark opted for scale over intimacy. Part II is not a direct sequel but a re-imagining. Leslie Cheung returns as a different “Ning” (now a disgraced scholar), while Joey Wong returns, confusingly, as a different ghost (a cheerful, non-enslaved spirit named Ching).
The stakes escalate wildly. The villain is no longer just a tree demon, but a centipede demon who has possessed the Prime Minister and is turning the kingdom into a dystopian nightmare. This sequel introduces one of the great characters of the era: Wind, Sword, and Snow (Michelle Reis) and the monk’s chant "Bor Bei Bor Bei" (般若波羅蜜)—a pop-culture earworm.
Key takeaway: Part II trades gothic romance for political allegory and insane action. The final battle, featuring a giant golden Buddha statue fighting a centipede, is a masterpiece of stop-motion and scale models. While less cohesive than Part I, it is arguably more fun. A chinese ghost story I II III -1987-1990-1991-...
Use these dimensions to assess each entry. Score each from 1–10 and add brief notes.
The A Chinese Ghost Story trilogy is a time capsule of Hong Kong at the height of its creative powers. Following the massive success of the original, Tsui
Decades later, the CGI may look dated, and the humor may be culturally specific, but the tragedy of Ning Tsai-shen and Lit Siu-sin remains timeless. It is an essential watch for anyone who wants to understand the soul of Asian fantasy cinema.
Rating: ★★★★½ (5/5 for Part I, 3.5/5 for II and III) Decades later, the CGI may look dated, and
Unlike the first film, Part III gives us a genuine happy ending. Fong and Xiaoqian, through a clever loophole (her ashes are freed, and she is given a chance to be reborn as a human with her memories intact), walk off into the sunrise together. It is warm, forgiving, and satisfying—a gift to fans who wept at the 1987 finale.
| Dimension | A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) | A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990) | A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991) | |---|---:|---:|---:| | Story & Screenplay | 9 | 7 | 6–7 | | Direction & Tone | 9 | 7 | 7 | | Visual Style | 9 | 8 | 8 | | Effects & Action | 8 | 8 | 8–9 | | Music & Sound | 9 | 7–8 | 7 | | Performances | 9 | 7–8 | 7 | | Cultural Resonance | 9 | 7 | 6–7 | | Rewatchability | 9 | 7–8 | 7 | | Modern Accessibility | 7 | 7 | 7 | | Overall Enjoyment | 9 | 7.5 | 7 |
(Adjust scores per your taste; table intended as a quick guide.)