A technological breakthrough for Cantonese celluloid animation, Master Q 2001 is fettered by a tedious screenplay of the sort that helped foster the last decade's cinematic decline. Though directed by Herman Yao, the film is marked by the strengths and weaknesses of producer/co-writer Tsui Hark. Brilliant in its overall concept and hi-tech innovations, these virtues are considerably negated by the most low-tech but ultimately the most important ingredient of all: a sparkling blueprint to bring the various components together. It is the same factor that sunk Tsui's last film, Time and Tide, and a host of others in an uneven career that has helped define Hong Kong cinema for the past twenty years.

Based on a beloved comic book whose characters are familiar to all Chinese audiences-particularly the title character and his endearing sidekick Potato-this latest movie version is by far the most inventive. Tsui Hark has gone all out in creating 3-D animated figures that match seamlessly with the human performers. Headed by teen idols Nicholas Tse and Cecelia Cheung, Master Q 2001 is a sure thing for kids on Easter holiday break. But it is a popularity that will fail to crossover to more mature audiences, and one that will dim as the years take their toll.

Since the most notable element is the "state of the art" special effects, as 2001 becomes history there will be little in Master Q 2001 to wow succeeding generations on the level of, say, the sequence in Anchors Aweigh where Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the Mouse. The technique is over a half-century old, yet Kelly's artistry continues to amaze long after its "innovations" have been superceded by numerous generations of special effects wizards.

This is not to say that Master Q 2001 doesn't have its moments. Potato has some hilarious scenes, and Law Kwoon-lan's burlesque of a certain Hong Kong politician gives the movie a fleeting adult-satirical dimension. Nicholas Tse interacts well with the cartoon characters and gives further proof that he is the most stellar member of the newer generation of idols, animated or otherwise.

2 1/2 Stars

This review is copyright (c) 2001 by Paul Fonoroff. All rights reserved. No part of the review may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.