An opera troupe led by Master Sheng (Lam Ching Ying) gets an a unwilling visit from a ghost who's main purpose and drive seems to be sabotaging the preparations and performance for the troupe. By drawing it out and making it talk it is revealed that the ghosts remains are buried under the opera stage. It's dug out and buried in a better place but something goes wrong a while after the burial...

Actor, action choreographer and director are all areas where Chin Yuet Sang has been working in over the years but despite a big list of credits, he's never become one of the industries high profiles. In Hocus Pocus he is both directing and acting and we'll start with the filmmaker Chin Yuet Sang. He chooses a nice 2.35:1-frame to show off this production and the sets and surroundings do their part in making us feel at home in the period setting. Many of the sets seem familiar and were probably standing sets at the Golden Harvest studious. The stairwell reminded me of the one in the brothel seen in Iron Fisted Monk to just give one example. You do save money that way but it doesn't make Hocus Pocus feel very unique in the already crowded genre of movies.

While there are flaws to be find the director keeps things moving along quite nicely. The main problem is a loose script that doesn't kick in the main plot element until very late in the movie. It can be argued that Chin Yuet Sang is trying to build up tension and excitement regarding the motivation of the ghost but he's not skilled enough to have a grip on an audience like that. While we wonder when something is going to happen, he fills out the movie with a handful of scenes where the troupe members are trying to scare each other through practical jokes and whatnot. These are sporadically amusing but doesn't elevate the plot and ultimately feels like padding of the running time. The only really stand out aspect of Chin Yuet Sang's direction is a couple of well executed point of view- and tracking shots, especially one towards the end.

The best aspect of Hocus Pocus is the various forms of choreography from Sammo Hung and his stunt group. It's mostly exhilarating to see the different scenes of Chinese opera being performed. Even though the singing may be hard to grasp for us westerners, the acrobatics are first rate and fun to watch. The standout scene is one where two performers are manipulated by the ghost while performing a complex fight scene on stage. Here the camerawork and the choreography triumph and it's shame this was the only awesome bit in the film. The finale is also fairly exciting (for a 1984 production) with some nice wire- and stunt work on display. There's no big end fight though but it wouldn't be very logic in terms of the little story that there is. Not Sammo's best work but certainly nice to see his touch on this production.

Stephen Tung is a respected action choreographer and he's also had time to sit in the directing chair on a few occasions (Hitman for example). As an actor, this movie is more known and he's also seen as Chow Yun-Fat's informer in Hard Boiled. I'm glad he decided to work behind the camera but he certainly doesn't hurt this film in the acting department. He isn't leading man material but displays enough charm and energy as well as adequate performing in the action moments in the film.

The late, great Lam Ching Ying has a supporting role in this pre-Mr. Vampire part and what's always a joy to see in his acting is the sense of authority he projects. He is someone to look up to and respect and even though he's not a Taoist priest in this one, there's still some good old magic he performs while fighting the ghosts. Director Chin Yuet Sang himself plays the naughty ghost under a great deal of prosthetic make-up. His performance results in a few laughs but, as with the movie itself, isn't too memorable.

Hocus Pocus is a passable time-waster but not really essential viewing in the Hong Kong horror-comedy genre.

Stephen Tung Wai, who has become more of a choreographer than an actor these days, plays Kuei, a minor player in a roving opera troupe but spends more time playing practical jokes than concentrating on his performances. As is so often the case, the group of happy-go-lucky friends led by Wai frequently try and scare each other with ghost stories that when a real ghost turns up no one takes it seriously. Unfortunately, they have disturbed a particularly nasty one and this inevitably leads to a showdown of good versus evil.

Much of the running time is spent showing the practical jokes the troupes peripheral actors play on each other and the lead actor 'Chin' whom no one likes. Lam Ching Ying plays the wise, older figure in his sleep and does not feature as prominently as I would have liked. Martial artistry is played down in favour of the supernatural element, but one scene in particular between Kuei and Chin is well choreographed and breaks up the monotonous pace of the films lame comedy. Even similar films like the aforementioned 'Dead And The Deadly' had a greater action content. The finale depends more on pyrotechnics and wirework than kung fu so was a bit of a let down.

All in all, this is one for die-hard fans of Lam Ching Ying or the Chinese comedy horror genre in general. There is not much for martial arts fans, and even the usually entertaining comedy appears somewhat lacking. Worth a look, but probably not a keeper.

MENU: A choice of an English & Chinese or a Chinese only menu.

PICTURE: 2.35:1 non-anamorphic. Almost 20 years old, and obviously very worn. The print is not too damaged, and fairly clear, but the colours aren’t as bright as they could be.

SOUND: DD 5.1 Cantonese or Mandarin soundtracks with English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean removable subtitles.

TRAILERS: Trailers for 'Dead And The Deadly' and 'A Bite Of Love'.

EXTRAS: An 'about the film' section with a brief synopsis and cast & crew info.