Anna in Kungfu-Land stars Ekin Cheng as an ad executive who comes up with an idea to promote a new health drink by holding a martial arts tournament. The usual motley crew (including three child monks and the mandatory evil American) show up. Ekin falls for one of the competitors (Miriam), but he already has a girlfriend (Denise Ho). The "bad boy" Ekin tries juggling both women for a while, but after the secret comes out, Miriam wants to withdraw from the competition.

The plot is your standard throwaway romantic comedy fare, but I didn't find much to laugh at here. Even though I am generally an uncaring man with little tolernace in films for things other than boobs, booze and blood, I actually wanted, for some putrid, far down, "call ex-girlfriends at six in the morning" reason to like Ekin and Miriam. The movie just couldn't deliver on even that most simple of requests.

Anna in Kung-fu Land's main problem (besides having a very stupid title) is that I didn't feel any sympathy for any of the main characters. Ekin just came off as smarmy and Miriam seemed so nutty and high-strung -- one wonders why someone would be so attracted to her in the first place. It doesn't help matters that the jokes used are just plain tired and worn-out. One particular "gem" -- which is dragged out way too long -- has Ekin trying to fool Denise into thinking that his brother (Wong Yau-Nam) is actually the one going out with Miriam. Wah ha ha. That's some hilarity right there, kids.

You might think that the action scenes would save the day, but sadly that isn't the case here. Stephen Tung's talents are totally wasted with "fights" that are way too short and much too heavily dependent on CGI to be exciting. I know Miriam isn't supposed to be Michelle Yeoh or anything, but I had a very hard time taking her or any of the other contestants -- much less the movie as a whole -- seriously. As such, I can only give Anna in Kungfu-Land a very mild recommendation.

Review: As a film, Anna in Kung Fu Land is like cotton candy. It looks pretty and has a sweet taste, but there's ultimately nothing to be had from it but a belly ache and rotten teeth. Although set around a martial arts competition, it's really a fantasy-infused romantic comedy appropriately pairing lightweight actors Ekin Cheng with Miriam Yeung. Both have saturated Hong Kong films with their presence, between them appearing in nine different films in 2003 alone. The more enticing casting for fu fans are two kung fu movie legends, Yasuaki Kurata and Lo Meng, appearing in supporting roles. Despite this casting, action direction from veteran Stephen Tung Wai, a few decent fights, and a few funny moments the film is a wholly forgettable and rehashed effort that meekly panders to mainstream audiences.

The film is noticeably influenced by Shaolin Soccer and tries to recreate Stephen Chow's winning mix of kung fu, special effects, comedy, and romance. In this case, an energy drink magnate with a taste for kung fu novels is won over by an advertising agent played by Ekin Cheng who suggests he sponsor a defunct Martial Arts World Championship. An oddball assortment of contestants from around the world are assembled including Anna Shek (Miriam Yeung), a young Chinese fighter living in Japan who is determined to beat the Shaolin contestants for her father (Yasuaki Kurata). Ekin, who is already dating his boss's daughter (Denise Ho), brings Anna back to Hong Kong and a complicated romance begins as he tries to hide the truth. As the martial arts competition winds down to its final contestants, Anna discovers the truth and nearly loses her chance to compete, but ultimately rebounds to take on a fierce American contender (Charles Ingram).

I wish I could say this film worked well on any level. The main attraction is supposed to be the romance, but its completely derailed by an implausible setup. The audience is meant to swallow that Anna cannot clue in that Ekin already has a girlfriend, even though the trio share numerous awkward moments together. Not that I would really care if it did work. Ekin and Miriam make a lousy couple with no chemistry and little character and the whole situation which dominates over half of the film is a bore.

The comedy is less acerbic than Chow's and is overwhelmed by poor pacing and moments of trite melodrama that is so common in Hong Kong filmmaking and so annoying to Western audiences. Actually, the most fun to be had is seeing kung fu actors Yasuaki Kurata and Venoms alum Lo Meng doing comedy. Both have small roles, but Kurata hams it up near the end while Lo Meng as a fighter in prison garb gets "friendly" with an American movie producer.

The martial arts action is much like Shaolin Soccer, completely unreal with CGI effects and wires. Unfortunately, there's nothing new to see and most of the combat is glossy posturing. There are two fights worth mentioning though. As in So Close, Kurata here also shows that he is still a wicked martial artist in an early fight against a fighter challenging his school. This scene actually rivals his work on Fist of Legend. The camera work and editing is tight and stylized with multiple cuts, but is assembled very well. That can't be said for most of the film's subsequent battles in the ring. There's not much to say about Miriam Yeung that's positive. She's your average actor assisted by wires, doubles, heavy cuts, etc. to get the job done. The only other decent brawl is played strictly for laughs and takes place at a reception where the contestants toss plates about in an effects-heavy scene. This is the only time the effects work and choreography comes together and is genuinely entertaining. With the exception of Kurata, no one in the film will even remotely impress the viewer with their kung fu skills.

There really is no villain, but the lead antagonist is the only American fighter in the competition as played by Charles Ingram, a photogenic African-American actor who had a supporting role in Bruce Willis' Tears of the Sun. But like all of the other contestants, he's just stereotyped window dressing with no character involvement or development.

If you're looking for light-hearted comedy and romance with a bit of comic book kung fu tossed in, Anna in Kung Fu Land blandly delivers. But nearly all of the brief moments of humor and whiz-bang action will be quickly forgotten. Apart from Yasuaki Kurata completists, serious fu fans can skip it.