Based on the Chinese folktale of White and Green Snake (portrayed by Joey Wong and Maggie Cheung respectively), the two are attempting to perfect the human form, especially Cheung's Green, and come to an understanding of what it takes to be one. Closely following their supernatural trail is a powerful monk (Vincent Zhao - The Blade) who sees the human land as monstrous and in presence of evil that can't co-exist with the real world. A scholar (Wu Hsin Kuo - Temptation Of A Monk) is also the subject of White's love but that love threatens to be diminished by the always present monk, trying himself to attain the highest power of enlightenment...

A re-visit to the ways of A Chinese Ghost Story yet not, a single train of thought but a complex one runs through Green Snake. Tsui Hark expertly creates a stunning visual palette that is his Wuxia world. An expected beautiful place with alluring atmosphere but also a horrific one at times, through the eyes of Zhao's monk character, not unlike anything this viewer ever witnessed from this new wave era that Tsui Hark basically headlined. Aiming for an erotic aura via the snakes, it's a choice and behaviour that seems logical in Green and White's quest for answers and through performers Wong and Cheung, Tsui achieves a sexiness that doesn't seem sacrificed for the Cat II rating. More than ever the wild and creative visual mind of Tsui Hark is also showcased, in particular during any shots at the snake house and the majority of special effects enhancements works (the often mentioned reveal of the snakes, the magic crane and ropey CGI detracts but not on the whole). James Wong and Mark Lui's score is also mesmerizing, being highly in tune with the hypnotic effect that runs through the film. Veteran Tien Feng appears briefly.