A Chinese Tall Story

Director: Jeff Lau (2005)

Hong Kong comedy director Jeff Lau's latest film A Chinese Tall Story will hit Chinese mainland screens this Christmas.

At a cost of HK$ 100 million, the movie is a fantastic adaptation of the Chinese classic Journey to the West. Director Lau, who has brought audiences several inspired adaptations, and has set himself a new challenge to break old boundaries while setting new creative standards. Aided by action director Cory Yuen, Japanese music maestro Joe Hisaishi and effects master Eddy Wong, Lau raises the world of the Monkey King to a new level.

It tells a love story that is out of this world.

Tang monk Tripitaka (Nicholas Tse) and his three disciples: Monkey King Sun Wukong (Chen Bolin), Pig Monk Zhu Wuneng (Kenny Kwan), and Sand Monk Sha Wujing (Steven Cheung) arrive to a hero's welcome in Shache city. Little do they know that ahead of them lays Tripitaka's most arduous challenge before he achieves deification.

During their stay in the city the three disciples are captured by evil tree spirits. As Tripitaka tries to find a way to save them he meets an ugly lizard imp, Meiyan (Charlene Choi), who falls in love with him at first sight and devotes herself to him.

The story is full of monsters and creatures of unknown origins, and also the beautiful Princess Xiaoshan (Fan Bingbing) and her army. As she journeys to earth, her path crosses Tripitaka's, and she vows her help, prompting him to leave with the princess.

Meiyan is heartbroken. She picks a fight with Xiaoshan, and although she loses, she discovers her own identity as a galactic warrior.

But what of the three disciples? Well, you'll have to see the movie to find out.

(China Daily December 12, 2005)