Four-eyed Taoist (Anthony Chan) and Buddhist Master Yat-yau (Wu Ma) are neighbors, but engaged in a sort of humorous war of words, pranks and ideologies with each other. As a convoy passes their homes - including a vampire that is soon hit with lightning and becomes super powerful - they must put aside their dislike and work together.

You may miss Lam Ching Ying, who for the first time isn't the lead in a Mr. Vampire sequel. There's nearly an hour, however, where the two leads try to destroy one another with not a hopping bloodsucker in sight. So while the stereotypical gay character isn't fun at all, there's still the knowledge you'll gain, like eating garlic to defeat a curse.

The fourth instalment of the MR VAMPIRE saga is a stand-alone effort, made after Lam Ching-Ying departed the franchise. You might think it wouldn't be as good without him, but they make up for this with the tag-team pairing of Anthony Chan and Wu Ma as a bickering pair of priests, one Taoist and one Buddhist, who spend much of the first half of the running time fighting between each other and trying to get one over on the other. After a time the plot begins properly when the emperor's vampire escapes during a storm and goes on the rampage, leading to all of the fast-paced mayhem you'd expect at the climax. The small cast deliver excellent physical performances throughout, from Chin Kar Lok's athletic youthful hero to Yuen Wah against type as a camp aide, and the special effects are constantly impressive and inventive. It's great fun, with little to dislike.

This is the unofficial "Part 4" of the "Mr. Vampire" film series. Vampire Buster actor Lam Ching Ying does not appear in this film; however, two veteran actors, Anthony Chan and Wu Ma, appear and star as the dueling Taoist and Buddhist priests. The first half of the film start off with them feuding with each other and tricking one another with magic spells, with their disciples played by Chin Kar Lok and Loletta Lee caught in the crossfires. I find the dueling scenes pretty funny and, while it does not involve any Kung-Fu or horror action, it does provide you with some great entertainment. Vampire action does not begin until the middle of the film, where you see the protagonists putting their differences aside and do battle with the menacing creatures.

The horror in this film is sometimes dwarfed by some kiddie-like jokes and the overly light-hearted and whimsical music score, which, in addition with Lam Ching Ying's absence, distances this film somewhat from the other "Mr. Vampire movies." However, the saving grace of this film are the Kung-Fu action and that the main Vampire was executive very well - very creepy and menacing looking.

If you are a fan of Hong Kong horror/fantasy movies, give this film a watch by all means.

Grade B