Hua pi
Tags: romantic

Plot synopsis:
Setting is the Yuan dynasty: Soldiers rescue beautiful orphan Xiao Wei (Zhou) from desert bandits. The beautiful Xiao Wei is than taken in by Gen. Wang (Chen Kun) and his wife, Peirong (Zhao), who both dote on the excessively courteous and attentive young woman. But three months after she is adopted, the city is terrorized by an unknown killer who rips out human hearts.Peirong, who's become less enamored of Xiao Wei than her hubby, suspects Xiao may be a demon spirit in human disguise, and asks the ex Gen. Pan Yong (Yen), who served with her husband, for his help. Meanwhile, Pan has become buddies with tomboy demon-catcher Xia Bing (Betty Sun Li), who's been on the trail of a demon she has never seen for killing her grandfather. Before he was killed her grandfather taught her the art of catching demons. While Xiao remains a guest in the home of the married couple, she relentlessly pursues the love of Peirong's handsome husband, Gen. Wang. He than suspects his wife is only accusing Xiao of being a demon out of jealousy. Others who suspect a demon is in the village all end up dead, even the only monk. Meanwhile, others suspect a kung foo expert who just before each murder suddenly appears each night in the town attacking people and fighting Gen. Wang & his men. The three, Peirong, Yong, and Bing become confused, than seek to find out just who Xiao really is. One thing they know for sure, the demon needs to feed on hearts to stay alive. The question is how is Xiao getting out to viciously murder people, rip out their hearts, and eat it while under heavy surveillance? And, will Peirong be able to keep her husband from betraying her for the ever so attentive and beautiful young Xiao? by adele H

Review: If you're someone expecting either a supernatural spook fest, or an amalgamation of ghosts and kung fu, you might be disappointed to find out that it's actually a romance through and through, with complicated relationships all around that you can weave a complex web of love and lust amongst the players involved.Chen Kun plays Wang Sheng, a general whose army recently overrun the camp of a group of barbarians.
In their battle, he rescues a beautiful girl from the grasp of the enemy, and brings her home out of pity and suggestive lust, given that she looks like Zhou Xun. OK, so Zhou Xun plays Xiao Wei, who unknowing to everyone else, is a fox spirit (touted always as beautiful beings in their human form) with an appetite for human hearts in order to maintain her beauty and youth.Thus begins a tussle for General Wang's heart by both Xiao Wei and Vicky Zhao's Pei Rong, who is the dutiful and demure wife of Wang Sheng.
Pei Rong is indeed wary and beginning to suspect Xiao Wei's supernatural abilities when a spate of killings surface with her arrival, but with no proof, Xiao Wei starts to sow discord between the man and wife in order to try and become the new Mrs Wang.
Throw in Donnie Yen as an ex-general Pang Yong, who also shares the hots for Pei Rong, and one time rival of Wang Sheng for her affections, a bumbling lowly ghostbuster Xia Bin (Sun Li) who is in possession of a fabled mythical weapon (opportunity to show off some special effects here, and quite a sight to behold too in its temporal usage) and denying her affections for Pang Yong, and Qi Yuwu as a lizard spirit whose infatuation with Xiao Wei ensures that she gets her fair share of food without the need to get her hands dirty.
Connected the dots yet?Fans of Donnie Yen will probably be a tad disappointed by his limited screen appearance, and for the most parts he's either playing the joker, where his jokes will likely be lost in translation, going by the English subtitles that didn't manage to truly capture the essence of his lines, and the remaining screen time having to see him execute some action, but nothing groundbreaking and not seen before.
We know what Donnie Yen can do, and perhaps in seeking some form of redemption, the story has a flashback scene where he dons armor yet again (anyone remember the dismal result of An Empress And Her Warriors) and does battle in a scene which Jackie Chan has already stamped his authority on.One could have expected the Gordon Chan is familiar with shooting decent action sequences, but you don't really get a lot of that in Painted Skin, save for some generic rooftop chase in the night, and a be all and end all finale where no punches got pulled, though it really got marred by all the tight shots that all you'd probably get to see is a blur.
The narrative also got a little choppy in the mid section, and you do feel that a huge chunk of detail got summarized to keep it running generously under two hours, with subplots dropped that I suspect involved the growing affection and admiration between Pang Yong and Xia Bin, in order not to distract the audience from the main love triangle of Pang Yong, Xiao Wei and Pei Rong.All in all, this is recommended for Zhou Xun's face off with Zhao Wei, especially with the former playing the temptress role to perfection.
Tagline: Revoking the days of A Chinese Ghost Story Review by Neo: The ultra screen beauty of the early 1990s was undeniably the ambassador of ghost/romance movies, Joey Wong.
The good news is that The Painted Skin's ability to revoke those kind of unique feelings, while the end product may not be the same.
That's not to say The Painted Skin is not a good movie, as the current reviewer thoroughly enjoyed the ride, but in the end, it just feels a little too forgettable.
Carried by the consistently good actress in Zhou Xun (who have now developed a reputation for being head and shoulder above her given material) who attempts to follow the foot step of Joey Wong and adding to the pot of fire is an equally impressive return to form by Vicky Xiao Wei. Perhaps the downside is easily Alloy Chen (Playboy Cops) who appears to be miscasted in a role born to be played by say, Liu Ye (Connected).
Adding to the mix is the overacting of Donnie Yen (who is intentionally funny by overacting, rather than in Seven Swords where his limited emotional range became more laughable than all the jokes added up together in that flick.In many ways, Painted Skin feels like The Promise, it allows the audience to totally disband their beliefs and escape into another world, namely a "dream".
In fact, this isn't a Donnie Yen film where he grins, kicks ass and ultimately kick more asses, but rather, at its core, a love story, a light hearted genre mixture of action, ghosts and comedy.
Quite simply revoking those days when movies like A Chinese Ghost Story are still in existence.
Then again, when a movie leaves you thinking about Joey Wong, it really can't be half bad.There is no doubt that Mainland starlet, Zhou Xun is a shinning star.
Still her acting, her screen chemistry, her sheer screen presence makes Zhou Xun easily one of the better actress in Hong Kong cinema now.
Cliché and cheesy as the finale may seem to be, the current reviewer is leaning towards liking it.If there is one aspect about reviewing movies that Neo enjoys is the part where he gets to talk about performances.
I fondly remember way back in 2005, Koma provided a moment for two acting queens in Karena Lam and Angelica Lee and likewise, Painted Skins goes head to head with Zhou Xun and Zhao Wei. The Shaolin Soccer girl (Zhao Wei) performs more than admirably and certainly a triumphant return to form.
In arguably a much more difficult role than her counterpart, she still manages to engage the audience and maintain some believability within the dream.Donnie Yen has come a long way since those Shanghai Affairs and Legend of the Wolf days, but it is not surprising that while his screen presence has increased dramatically, the same cannot be said about his acting.
Her lively performance, brighten up the film in all corners and somehow manages to romance with the "non-romance-able" Donnie Yen.All in all, Painted Skin ends up being good cinema, due largely to the performances of the two leading actresses.
However, Neo seems to think otherwise, as Painted Skin feels like a dream.
This film is adapted from the 300 year old classic ghost story of Song Ling Pu and is a combination of historical romance, supernatural and martial arts from director Gordon Chan who also wrote the screenplay along with Abe Kwong and Lau Ho Leung with action scenes directed by Wei Tung.
In a raid on desert bandits the beautiful Xiao Wei is taken into the armies custody and she takes a liking to Wang Sheng but Peirong stands in her way.
Xiao Yi (David Leong) is the mysterious supernatural companion to the beautiful but deadly Xiao Wei. This is an entertaining story and makes for a great debut film for director Chan.
The movie painted skin is loosely based on a legendary Supranatural Chinese tale 'Hua Pi' about a disguised demon under a human skin(drawn skin exactly).
It's in a more mannerly and elegant way to level its emotion to human being and in my opinion the horror thing is just to dramatize the center love story and not really the main course in the first place.
The rest of the cast is very eye catching especially the irresistible beauty of Zhou Xun.And finally orchestrated by veteran director Gordon Chan who has experienced in so much genre since his existence in mid 80's, the movie is not disappointed at all except in my opinion if only the director did try boldly adapted a more tragic ending, it could really be better.
Brilliant from Beginning to End. If your ideal fantasy genre contains unrelenting action and adventure, Painted Skin may not be the title for you.
But, if you're looking for a beautiful dramatic romance, that is as poetic as it is entertaining, you will not be disappointed.Written in an intelligently mature fashion, and performed with emotional poignancy, Painted Skin is quite unlike its American contrasts, with stories of battlers fought for love occasionally becoming lost in bloody violence and nudity.
This Chinese feature delivers a tasteful approach, that sacrifices in your face thrills and excitement, for a gripping character driven tale of unrequited romance.General Sheng returns home with his army after defeating barbarians infringing on his borders, bringing a beautiful young woman he rescued with him.
With suspicion and paranoia mounting, Yong and Xia begin investigating, only to find themselves in the middle of a battle, plagued by conspiracy, jealously, betrayal and lust.Although there are a number of astounding action sequences, Painted Skin is more of a cat and mouse thriller, with many of the fights taking place in conversations, where one character is always trying to outwit the other.
At its heart, the film reveals that no sacrifice is too great when you love someone, both the script and the actors capturing the emotion perfectly, from the beauty of romance, to the grueling pain of loss.Unlike in other films, where demons are purely villainous antagonists, Painted Skin makes demons and humans alike sympathetic characters, with breakable hearts, and many a vulnerability, the seductive storyline between man and demon being similar to the fourth Hellraiser.
With this in mind, though a sex scene is apparent, nothing is ever seen, the tasteful directional style presenting the audience with all of the passion, but not at the expense of the actor's privacy.With outstanding special effects that draw you further into the plot, alongside a soundtrack that mirrors the turmoil and romance exhibited in the film, Painted Skin is a perfect fantasy that you do not want to miss..
So yes, I enjoyed "Painted Skin" (aka "Hua pi").Directors Gordon Chan, Danny Ko and Andy Wing-Keung Chin managed to put together a good story that had a good amount of variation.
"Painted Skin" is an enjoyable combination of love story, action and drama.The talents were well-cast and it was nice to see a movie where Donnie Yen wasn't all-overshadowing over all other actors and actresses.
However, the two female leads Xun Zhou and Wei Zhao were really impressive in this 2008 movie."Painted Skin" has a lot to offer and chances are that you will find something in it too.
I enjoyed the storytelling and the fact that the movie wasn't focusing on being a display of CGI effects.The action and fight sequences were well-choreographed and equally so executed, which is a given when Donnie Yen is involved.The costumes and sets were grand, with lots of details, and it helped bring the story to life quite well."Painted Skin" is a well-worthy addition to the collection of anyone who enjoys Asian cinema..
In his more recent movies, he always plays himself - strong, violent, a believer in rough justice - and he always delivers great action scenes.
Donnie Yen, Wei Zhao, a killer concept - how could this not be great!Well, unfortunately, "they" found a way.There's honestly little point in giving a summary of the plot here, as it may make whoever reads this want to see it, only to turn it off a long time before the end credits roll.So, how best to describe this film honestly?Well, perhaps mumbled, confused, dull, with poor action sequences, humour that won't amuse and zero chemistry between those supposedly loving and trying to seduce one another would be a pretty good start.Seriously, films like this make me feel so sorry for all those aspiring writers, actors and film-makers who can't get the funds to put a low-budget project together, when such dismal trash is clearly tossing cash into the wind.I needn't have to advise anyone reading this to avoid it, but shall do all the same:AVOID IT..
A social ETHICAL movie in the painted skin of legend.
However, when China started to get rich, underground lovers start to emerge again and this trend is growing stronger each day since the last 15 years.Story and implication: The movie almost directly indicates this social phenomenon: The General indicates a powerful and rich man, his wife represents the Chinese traditional image of wife (she lives for her husband and is very tolerant until the last moment, but still would sacrifice herself for the husband's good).
Just like many Chinese women struggling in the lower social class (in reality can be a nightclub waitress, erotic massager and so on), the fox woman met the General and gave him a "beautiful, weak, needs protection" impression.
On the other hand, the lizard man was ignored by society (he was invisible sometimes in the movie), just as many male in the lower social level.The General let the fox woman into his private life, giving her many privileges that only wife can enjoy (having maids, managing daily stuff at home, can even take over the wife's order, see the dinner scene when the wife was late).
In reality, there would not be ex-lover, but family and other supporters of the wife (possibly also powerful, like indicated in the movie), and social order keeper can be the public, mass media etc.
This indicates a serious social problem in China: imbalanced male-female ratio causes many men with lower social-position to be left out in marriage, while richer and more powerful men can enjoy several women at the same time.It is a good movie after all, though if audience is non-Chinese it can be hard to enjoy: not much visual effect, not much fighting..
Cynics may sneer but even if the sincerity in "Painted skin" does not win conviction, it garners sympathy.To introduce this movie as the latest adaptation from the famous Chinese literature ghost story could be misleading.
As director Gordon Chan ("A-1 headline" (2004)) explains in an interview: "this is a story of romance where six characters speak for themselves about love".
Xiaowei, a monster that feed on raw human hearts, falls in love with Wang and plots to usurp the place of his wife Peirong who soon suspects something.
And this is not the least because of the good acting.ZHOU Xun, irresistible to the audience just as Xiaowei is irresistible to almost everyone in the story, pulls off the final conversion of a ruthless monster consumed in selfish passion to someone that finally realizes what true love really means with a degree of conviction that very few others can achieve.
CHEN Kun (who played another love triangle with ZHOU in "The little Chinese seamstress", with LIU Ye as the third) look more like a scholar than a general as Weng, but that hardly matters because he is winning as the faithful husband who chooses to die with his wife that he is tricked into believing to be the monster.
Vicky ZHOU Wei was told by director Chan to "grow up" and stop relying on her "cuteness" did just that in this movie, playing the most sympathy-earning roll as a wife who makes the ultimate, unspeakable sacrifice for love.
Betty SUN (in "Fearless" with Jet Li) provides good support as the tom-boyish monster-hunter who keeps stumbling when fighting with hate but finds herself (and her power) when driven by love.For those not satisfied with just the love story, there is Donny Yen's martial art action (and I happen to be one who thinks that he is the best since Bruce Lee).
"Painted Skin" draws you in with it's recognizable list of performers (Vicki Zhao, Xun Zhao, Donnie Yen) and gives off an air of mystique with its movie posters and unique storyline.
The movie takes liberty to add several of its own plot twists, the major one being a Gothic love triangle of sorts with the demon's desire to win the heart of General Wang and take the place of his wife.
It's not a horror movie although the concepts of having a demon that requires a steady diet of human hearts in order to keep it's fake skin looking fresh could be horrific if filmed the right way.It could be a love triangle story as it shows the internal conflict of a man who loves his wife dearly but is intrigued by the new young lady who's entered into his life.There's some interesting characters - Donnie Yen who's unrequited love comes back to request his assistance in solving the murder mysteries to which she has a prime suspect.There's the wife who's torn between fear of the demon, jealousy of her husband's attraction to the new lady in the house, and her complicated respect but not quite love for Donnie's character.In the end, it's not about the mystery of the killings as it is all readily shown on screen who is the demon, who is not.
And yet, with the horror elements in play, you cannot really take the 'love-story' part of it all that seriously and in the end you're left confused over just what it is you watched.Undeniably the costumes, settings, and direction are all very well done.
despite the star-studded cast, and the elaborate costumes, special effects, and big budget, this movie sinks like titanic.
if they truly love each other, he will believe her when she say zhou xun is a demon, won't he?
Wang sheng is your typical good-looking hormonal guy who fall in love with the pretty girl, idiotic as ever.