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鐵扇公主神火破天門 (1959)
How Princess Iron Fan Burnt Down the Heavenly Gate


Reviewed by: dleedlee
Date: 09/24/2004

First, a question, is this supposed to be in color on not? The HKFA lists it as color. The vcd I watched is in black and white. Perhaps, it was originally tinted?

The movie is a faithful rendition of Monkey’s attempt to get the Iron Fan from the Princess and put out the fire from Fire Mountain. Monkey and his fellows, Tripikata, Pigsy and Sandy, run into the Spider Fairies and have to escape their clutches first though.

The story is well told and moves along at a good pace. Casting children as Spiders, I don’t remember this from the original story.

Lam Kar Sing is a very good Monkey and he demonstrates his agility and fighting skills well. Chan Ho Kau as Jade Princess(?) is especially good too. She and Monkey have a couple of great opera-style battles and earlier, she executes an impressive sword display. Lee Heung Kam makes a saucy Spider Fairy. Pigsy, well, Pigsy looks like a mutation between Jar Jar Binks and Pipi Longstocking. Very creepy, indeed, he is. Tang Bik Wan as Princess Iron Fan and Mak Bing Wan as her husband King Bull round out the cast, along with Yuen Sin Fai as their son, Red Kid. Red Kid is quite a spunky character and leads his own gang of children. Yuen Sin Fai is very good in his portrayal.

The special effects are primitive but serviceable.

Reviewer Score: 6