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咒樂園 (2003)
The Park


Reviewed by: Brian Thibodeau
Date: 01/12/2005
Summary: Slapdash horror with aspirations beyond its budget

Moronic horror yarn—notable mainly for it’s handful of 3-D sequences, which are horrible on DVD—trots out or steals every mechanical scare tactic and iconic image from the contemporary horror book, from “scary” clowns to white-faced Asian ghost children (check out that blatant steal from Takashi Shimizu’s JUON in the opening moments), with nary a point in sight. Distraught Bobo Chan leads a photogenic crew of dumb teenagers to a haunted theme park built on a graveyard in search of her brother (Edwin Siu), who went there to investigate a death he witnessed as a child. The gang’s behaviour—and by association the film’s logic—only gets dumber once they arrive, breaking into groups repeatedly for no other reason than to engage in supernatural setpieces that are in no way scary, even if you haven’t experienced all the visual telegraphy in countless other films. Then Bobo’s Taoist mom (Kara Hui) shows up with her magical spirit camera to battle the ghoulies and rescue the good souls from limbo. Director Lau’s drab work here may force some viewers to reevaluate his co-director contributions to post-YOUNG & DANGEROUS films like AVENGING FIST, WOMEN FROM MARS and the INFERNAL AFFAIRS trilogy: this turkey finds better company with his last full-directorial gig: THE WESLEY’S MYSTERIOUS FILE. Theme song performed by Bobo Chan.

Reviewer Score: 2

Reviewed by: 7Eleven
Date: 01/24/2004
Summary: Not worth buying....

This, has got to be the worst horror film made. It starts out with a good beginning telling you what made "the park" close down but doesn't really get to explaining why the owner of "the park" would hang himself? but as the story goes on, i realize that they have copied a scene exactly! from a japanese movie called "JU-ON" if you have seen this movie you would understand what i'm talking about. if you haven't seen "JU-ON" then i think you better get yourself a copy of it rather than buy this movie if you are looking for a good scare.

As to actors and actresses in this movie, it was bad... i must admit i'm not fan of Bobo Chan but i think her acting skills need to be a bit more...realistic? i know this maybe only her 4th movie but i think she needs to improve in her acting skills alot. Other actors and actresses in this movie i think are Thai, and their skills aren't that great either... but you got to cut them some slack, thier new, maybe even upcoming actors and or actresses?

The setting of this movie is actually done pretty well, i mean you got this park that looks like it's in the middle of no where, there's absolutely no one except for the watchmen and alot of spirit of childrens. and alot of hanging clowns which i don't get... make up, costumes and lighting also helps with the effect of the story making it look like somethings about to happen, but unfortunantly... nothing really does...

in my opinion, this movie was really boring... there was too much screaming of nothing, and bad acting at crying which there is alot of... if you need a good scare, this is not the best movie get...it's pretty predictable of what's going to happen... almost like your typical chinese horror movies except...this one's worst

My rating? 4.5/10