'CHRONICLES OF THE GHOSTLY TRIBE': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
A Chinese fantasy action flick; about researchers, that discover ancient creatures, in the mountains near the Mongolian Border (in 1979). The story also takes place in modern day New York City (when the monsters reappear). The movie was directed by Chuan Lu, who also co-wrote the script (with Bobby and Nick Roth). It stars Mark Chao, Yao Chen, Rhydian Vaughan and Wang Qingxiang. The film is cheesy, and sometimes hard to follow, but it's still a lot of fun (especially if you like creature features).
The story begins at the 1979 Mongolian Border; where the fossils of monstrous creatures have been found. A research team has been assigned to head into the mountains, to investigate the findings. They're lead by a professor (Qingxiang),his daughter (Chen) and an adventurer, named Hu Bayi (Chao). After the team is attacked, by various different beasts, Bayi is the only survivor. The film then flashes forward, to present day New York City, where Bayi now works as a librarian (studying demonology). He's called back into action, when he hears about more monster attacks (in Northern China).
The film has some fantastic visual effects (the creatures look amazing)! I had trouble keeping up with the subtitles sometimes, and also the story, but I still really enjoyed the movie. I love monster flicks, and this one is definitely a fun one. I couldn't have cared less about the human characters, or any of their drama, but I loved watching the creatures; and the amazing special effects!
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5.1Keywords: based on novel or book
Plot summary
The Mongolian Border, 1979: Massive fossils of unknown creatures are discovered in the mountains, and the research team assigned to excavate the remains includes acclaimed Professor Yang (Wang Qingxiang),Hu Bayi (Mark Chao),and Ping (Yao Chen),the professor's beautiful daughter. When a freak explosion, lethal bat attack, and fall to the mountain's floor leaves only a handful of survivors, the small remaining band uncovers a mythic Cyclopean Temple - and an Interdimensional Portal that looses a pack of ravenous Hell-Beasts, leaving only Hu alive. New York City, Present Day: Now living a quiet but tormented life as a librarian, Hu studies demonology manuscripts to find answers for that fateful day. Little does he know that Professor Yang has just been found wandering the mountains thousands of miles from where he supposedly died; a young woman with amnesia was just discovered in a recently-uncovered tomb; and a Northern Chinese mining town has just been ravaged by giant, unknown creatures...
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A lot of fun, especially if you like creature features.
The Long and Boring Movie
"Jiu ceng yao ta" is a film with wonderful cinematography and attractive DVD cover. Yesterday I decided to watch this movie but unfortunately the plot is too long and boring. The beginning is promising and I really expected a great Chinese adventure. But unfortunately the story turns into a boredom soap opera. This film deserved a better edition, reducing the running time of many scenes. Last but not the least, there are long narratives in Chinese that the viewer needs to read very fast that becomes the tiresome movie unbearable. My vote is three.
Title (Brazil): "Crônicas da Tribo Fantasma" ("Chronicles of the Phantom Tribe")
Destiny is a force that affects us all
This is a Chinese fantasy film based on a book. It has English subtitles. It takes place in the 1980's. It centers on the professor, his daughter and Hu Bayi, a soldier/worker in love with Ping, the daughter. A group of volunteers investigate a newly discovered passage in an archaeological dig, only to discover the Demon Pagoda, which they partially activate.
They end up battling ridged back Wargs. There is also an Elvis impersonator who sings praises to Genghis Khan. There are also songs which praise the worker and the party as if to mock 1950's Russian film. The cinematography was excellent. The love story didn't cross cultural lines that well. Movie includes doses of philosophy. The production is a combination of "The Sirius Conspiracy" and LOTR.
Guide: No sex or nudity. Swearing consists of a couple uses of SOB.