A Chinese Odyssey (I and II)

Before Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu, A Chinese Odyssey was considered the best movie Stephen Chow has ever been a part of; some even argue to this day that it is better than his last two mega blockbusters. Whatever the case, the two films certainly contain Stephen Chow's signature blend of action, drama, and out-of-this-world comedy.

Base on the Journey to the West story of the Monkey King, Stephen plays non-other than the King of the Monkeys himself. Due to his lack of control, he was banished in human form for 500 years until his master finds him to regain his godly powers. So as a human, Chow is the head of a remote organization of filthy middle-age man out in the middle of nowhere. Trouble boils up when two sisters arrived at the inn in search of the Monkey King. What Chow doesn't know yet is that he himself is the Monkey King. The real problem starts when audience realize that the master had already died after 500 years, so in order for Chow to reach his true destiny, he must use something called the Pandora's Box to go back in time and become the Monkey King again. Here's where part II comes in. Monkey King comes across Athena Chu, a candle light goddess that has fallen in love with the Monkey King, but was forced to marry his band-brother, the Ox Demon. Chow then must choose whether he wants to save Athena or continue on with his journey.

The films are jam-packed with hilarious scenes. Among my favorites is the scene where Chow and his middle-aged man trying to kill the two sisters because they thought they were invisible. Also, the phrase that must be said in order to use the Pandora's Box is nothing short of stomach ache laughter. The best part is that he keeps saying it like half a dozen times, and each new time he says it, it just gets funnier and funnier. The acting is also very impressive; definitely one of Stephen Chow's best work. The plot do get a little bog down in parts of part II, but it is never unbearable and besides, it is very hard to take your eyes away from what is happening on screen. If anything, these movies proves long before Chow's award winning performances in Shoalin Soccer and Kung Fu, that he was already someone noteworthy in the Asian acting community.


Year: 1995
Director: Jeff Lau

I: 9.1/10
II: 9/10