You know, the idea of extracting skin to make Chinese lanterns is original. I've never heard of any other movie doing this concept. AND I LOVE IT! (Insert factitious maniacal laughter here, followed by titillation). This film is flat-out awesome. It is a kung fu film for sure, but if you are just about the kung fu, you will have to wait 45 or so minutes before any fights occur. The first 45 are filled with mystique, murder, rich boys crying (sarcastic remark), and Lo Lieh's insanity.

Do not fret, because the kung fu action is excellent and plentiful after the 45-minute mark. All the fights I loved the most were with Lo Lieh. The final action sequence, where Lo Lieh is fighting the police and the rich punk, was simply epic. Thunder crash, Lo Lieh going insane, and the rich punk getting burnt to a crisp. It was freakin' powerful and epic. Made me cry like a silly billy.

One of the disappointments about this film is that there are not enough bloody deaths. I really wish this film was more of a grindhouse slasher kung fu film where you see lots of death and blood spilling (he he he). But I think the director's intentions were to make this film more majestic, 'cause the cinematography is beautiful and alluring. It's good enough for me but does not pertain to what I like in horror/slasher films: DEATH! :)

Highly recommended if like the concept of skin peeling goodness, great kung fu action (you have to be patient, people), and f#$%ing Lo Lieh.

Aside from its bizarre nature, this is an excellent film. The film features an all-star cast full of martial arts stars and attractive Shaw Brothers actresses. Everyone involved does a solid job, but Lo Lieh undoubtedly steals the show as the crazed skin collector. It was also nice to Lo Meng make an appearence as a guest assassin.

This is easily one of Sun Chung's best directed films, as everything was spot on. The eerie lighting and gorgeous set locations were superb, and one of my favorite aspects of the film.

"Human Lanterns" is a great addition to anyone's Shaw Brothers library or for collectors of quality cinema in general.

One thing I like about Human Lanterns is that it’s very easy to follow. I don’t know about you guys, but when watching some of these Shaw Brothers flicks, I tend to pause and rewind - sometimes numerous times - certain scenes because I have a hard time following plots. I’m not sure if it’s because the Chinese names or whatever (or maybe I’m just dumb?), but 60% of the time, I really have to pay extra attention, otherwise, I find myself lost.

With a film like Human Lanterns, everything is crystal clear. It’s almost as if Suen Chung puts himself in the viewers’ shoes when he’s planning his storytelling process. The characters are well thought out with a flash of differentiation (Lau Wing and Chen Kuan Tai have a great chemistry). There’s mystery, but no real twisty secrets that many films rely on. Everything is pretty much in-your-face with no bullshit attached.

Human Lanterns has a fine balance of well-choreographed martial arts, a hint of horror and a pleasant amount of gore. As you’d probably expect, action is still the main showcase of the movie. With a title like Human Lanterns, you’d expect a lot of explicit imagery; there is, but not a whole lot, but as long as you’re expecting a “kung fu movie” first, you’ll be pleased if you’re hunting for a dose of shock value.

I wonder how this flick would turn out in the brutality department if someone like Chang Cheh directed it (I have a feeling the guy would go nuts over the blood and gore), but as it stands, Suen Chung did a great job as is and any drastic change would only lesson the film’s appeal.

Human Lanterns is my first and only venture into the films of Suen Chung. Judging from what I saw here, I wouldn’t mind checking out more of his work.

Look for memorable guest appearances by Venoms Lo Meng (as a contract killer) and Sun Chien (as a cop). - Mighty Peking Man, cityonfire.com

Shaw Brothers did a fantastic job of setting a mood that would put the audience in a foreboding state (you just knew something awful was about to happen) but you are glued to the screen because of the absolutely gorgeous, colorful and lush background.

I have read that the Celestial release of this film has cut out some of the gore, but the movie doesn't seem to suffer from that. There is still plenty of tension throughout. One particularly creepy scene has the killer attack Chen Kuan Tai during a showdown between Kuan Tai and Liu Yung. This scene totally freaked me out! I mean if this can happen to Chen Kuan Tai...no one is safe.

Let's not forget Lo Meng, he plays an assassin sent after Liu Yung. I love watching this guy fight; this man is poetry in motion. I only wish he had had more screen time.

Lo Lieh is absolutely insane as the warped, swordsman making lamps from human flesh. The plot is a bit overloaded with revenge against revenge, however, Lui Yung, the supposed hero, keeps the audience guessing as to what his swordsman's true intentions are. We are further treated to a strong, charismatic performance by Chen Kuai Tai, whose character here is somewhat reminiscent of the one he portrayed in "Crippled Avengers". The real treat is a cameo by Lo Mang, as a bearded, double sickle wielding, fighter. This Mantis Fist fighter hardly ever used any weapons, noted for his powerful physique.

Lo's lantern maker runs around murdering his enemies' sisters, women, and anyone who's curious about his little shop of horrors. He's like a Chinese Norman Bates, exacting his displeasure on his enemies' all the while, relishing in the brutal torture of his victims. Directed by Sun Chung, noted for "A Fistful of Talons", and the classic "Avenging Eagle", this film balances the multiple genres quite well. Some directors couldn't make a decent Martial Arts film, let alone one with the Horror angle. Sun brought the usage of Steadycam to Hong Kong film, and his vision shows in his work.

The kung fu action in the film is quite good, choreographed by Tang Chai and Huang Pei Chi, and you can notice the early wirework, which became so popular later by Tsui Hark. Lots of the film takes place at night, setting the mood for it's eeriness, and there is an unusual amount of gore, however, I like it. The set pieces, as usual with Shaws, are great. Two stars for horror, two for action, a great cult classic.