Chinese Odyssey 2002 (coming to DVD October 6, 2009)

Winner of the Best Actress and Best Film Awards from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, Jeffrey Lau's Chinese Odyssey 2002 is a unique martial arts comedy-romance that sends up Shakespeare, the Shaw Brothers, Beijing Opera, high-wire thrills, and even producer Wong Kar-Wai's signature stylistic excess.

A movie that "packs a lot of laughs and action into a beautifully shot 105 minutes" (Variety), Chinese Odyssey follows royal heirs Princess Wushuang (Faye Wong) and future Emperor Zheng De (Chen Chang) as they escape the Forbidden City to taste life among Ming Dynasty China's have-nots.

But in a gender-bending twist, the princess disguises herself as a fierce male warrior who proves equally beguiling to both martial arts master King Bully (Tony Leung, cast hilariously against type) and his sister Phoenix (Wei Zhao).

When King Bully plays family match-maker, the foppish (and afro-wigged!) young emperor is forced to compete with his own sister for the beautiful commoner's hand.

Combining swordfights, slapstick, satire, songs, and genuine sentiment into a lightning-paced big-screen farrago of "identity changes and gender confusions; plot contortions, clever puns and a great punchline" (Time Out London), Chinese Odyssey 2002 may be the mother of all mo lei tau films - the crazy-quilt Hong Kong super-farces recently popularized in the West by Stephen Chow.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Chinese Odyssey 2002
• Jeffrey Lau
• Tony Leung
• Wong Kar-Wai
• DVD
• trailer

[tzeqin]

ok there's actually a wikipedia article on that, my bad XD

[tzeqin]

I came here after searching 'mo lei tau' but I've forgotten what it means. Anyone care to explain, please?

[GlennInWinnipeg]

I bought the new release of the COMEDY-ROMANCE, starring Faye Wong & Tony Leung -- first time working together since Chungking Express (thought 2046 was under production before and after this movie). I bought 4 DVDs for gifts -- terrific story and wonderful CHEMISTRY with the cast. I like the shorter version, but the removed footage would be good in EXTRAS.

[Asiana69]

ThnXXX nice with subs!! ^_^

[sonnyhe2002]

monkey king!!!!

[pramjam64]

Looks intreging. Is the narrator the Chinese equivalent of the "In a world guy?"