Sharla Cheung Movies
This science fiction-thriller from Hong Kong attempts to blend the grittiness of noir-ish Blade Runner-type cyberpunk with the sweeping plot lines of animé to rather confusing effect. The story revolves around the legendary Diamond of Emperor Chen, which -- aside from its considerable inherent value -- is also a key which will lead the person who possesses it to incredible wealth, supposedly half the wealth in the world. The diamond rests somewhere in the offices of the corrupt mega-corporation Tung Tik, and the film deals with the efforts of a group of thieves led by the brilliant computer hacker Ko Kit (Anita Yuen) to get it. There's also another thief, Wind Yip (Sharla Cheung), who has penetrated the company's extensive security system in search of the diamond, and she teams up with Ko Kit's gang while being pursued all the while by the obligatory dissolute alcoholic cop, Kwong (Simon Yam). Filmed partially in Vancouver, the film's ambitions overreach its budget, but the impressive cast (also includingKirk Wong and the film's director Chris Lee) and offbeat presentation make it worthwhile viewing for genre fans. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Hong Kong filmmaker Andy Chin directed this colorfully gaudy and delightfully satirical fantasy based -- very loosely -- on the classic novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Jin Yong. Popular Asian pin-up queen Brigitte Lin stars in dual roles as Li Chou-shui, an outcast member of the San sect, and her twin sister, Chong-hoi. Chou-shui is engaged in a vicious and ongoing magical duel for power with another exiled San sect member, Mo Han-wen, played by the popular Chinese actress Gong Li (Raise the Red Lantern). Han-wen's magical mastery is somewhat undermined by her sexual attraction to Chong-hoi, which Chou-shui exploits to hurt Han-wen's pride and sap her will at every opportunity so that she can gain the upper hand in their ever-more fierce confrontations. These battles attract the interest of the powerful leader of the Sing Suk sect, Ting Chun-chou (Norman Tsui), who believes that he will take over in the wake of the women's mutually assured supernatural destruction. Ting starts slaughtering all of his rivals, but runs into trouble when an opportunistic lackey named Purple (Sharla Cheung) steals a scroll containing the Yi-ken sutra, capable of bestowing incredible powers, and gets a Shaolin monk who can interpret it for her own particular ends. Funny, visually spectacular, and paced slightly this side of light-speed, the film is marvelously entertaining, if a bit challenging to follow for newcomers to the world of Hong Kong fantasy. Frankie Lam co-stars with Liu Kai-chi and James Pak. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brigitte Lin, Gong Li, (more)
- 1993
Chao Lu-chiang directed this low-budget historical fantasy from Taiwan, featuring Sharla Cheung as Miss Shen, who is raped by the wicked Register (Lung Fong). The Register then murders her by smashing her head into a tree brought along by a woodsman named Feng Yun-tin (Mark Chen). What the Register doesn't know is that the murder weapon is a thousand-year old holy tree which has magical powers and now holds the discorporated soul of the murdered girl. Miss Shen's spirit tells Feng that if he doesn't help her get revenge on the Register, she will possess his body forever. While Feng begins turning the tree into a sacred statue of Kwanyin, Miss Shen stays with him and he falls in love with her. This makes him start to reconsider his task, because completing the statue will also cause her spirit to disperse and become one with nature. Another man who doesn't want the statue to be made is the leader of the Da Hung (Lau Shun), whose evil religious cult will not be able to release the demonic Blood Kid to conquer humanity if the icon reaches completion. Wu Ma co-stars. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Stephen Chow's prodigious skills with guns and martial arts take center stage once again in this successful action film from Hong Kong filmmaker Gordon Chan. Chow stars as Star Chow, a cop who plays by his own rules, often endangering the other members of his team as well as the success of their missions. When a practice drill goes awry, Star is punished by the commissioner (Barry Wong) by being reassigned as an undercover agent at the local high school, his task being to locate the student who stole the commissioner's favorite gun. Naturally, there's a beautiful guidance counselor (Sharla Cheung) to provide some romantic interest, and -- just as naturally -- things take a downward turn when she discovers Star's true identity. In the meantime, Star locates the commissioner's gun, as well as a cache of stolen arms belonging to a triad gangster. The entire situation comes to a head during the school's open house, with a specially constructed maze serving as the backdrop for the final gun battle. Filled with action and humor, the film's success led to a pair of even more entertaining sequels. Ng Man-tat co-stars with Roy Cheung, Gabriel Wong, and Paul Chun. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Chow, Sharla Cheung, (more)
- 1990
Lau Sze-yau directs this horror-comedy yarn about a family of ghosts accidentally released from a picture after a 60-year containment. Angry and looking for trouble, the brood takes over the house next door to haggard cop Dragon Chan (Nat Chan Pak-cheung). Though one ghost -- the beautiful Siu-sin (Sharla Cheung) -- falls in love with Dragon and even helps him capture a few notorious bad guys, the others have a less positive view of the living and order Siu-sin to kill her new beau. Fortunately, Chan has a friend Chaun Kau (Chung Fat) on the police force who is trained in the delicate art of ghost fighting. Unfortunately, the guy gets whacked in the head, leaving him a drooling dolt and leaving Dragon to defend himself alone. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chan Pak-cheung, Sharla Cheung, (more)
