Gui gan bu

During the Japanese invasion of China, a man sacrifices his life to vanquish an evil 'blood demon', leaving his son Kong to be raised by another family. Years later, the blood demon is unleashed, it's evil influence fuelling violent unrest amongst the people, the revolutionaries punishing intellectuals and capitalists. Kong's 'brother' Tung (Tony Ka Fai Leung) is swept up in the fervour of Red politics, but ultimately realises that the blood demon must be stopped to prevent further bloodshed. With help from pretty Li Yu-Ping (Joey Wang), Tung and Kong attempt to defeat the demon, while Comrade Li (Li Yu-Ping's father), who has been possessed by the evil monster, orders his followers to stop the trio from succeeding.

Lam Ching Ying and Joey Wang are totally wasted in this boring historical drama/horror film that comes with a heavy-handed, politically-charged message: communism is evil and can only be defeated by personal sacrifice. It's a sentiment that would have resonated with Hong Kongers in the run up to 1997, but, for me, the dreary political proselytising made me feel drowsy. I might have perked up if there had been a bit more bonkers horror, but the film definitely disappoints in that respect: the blood demon looks like a load of kool-aid being sucked down a plug-hole, and the only enjoyable spot of gore is a cheesy decapitation that is over in seconds. Watch Mr. Vampire or A Chinese Ghost Story instead, even if you've seen them many times before: it will be time much better spent.