| The Great Magician (2011) |
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| Director: | Derek Yee |
| Writers: | Derek Yee, Chun Tin-nam, and Lau Ho-leung |
| Starring: | Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Lau Ching-wan, Lam Suet, and Zhou Xun |
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The Plot: The Great Magician takes place after the Revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty and finds China entering into some very turbulent times. Various areas are being controlled by warlords, and the local revolutionaries are busy trying to concoct schemes in order to fight the warlords who hold far more firepower. Our story focuses on a military leader named Lei Bully (Lau Ching-wan) who is trying his best to win the heart of a formerly imprisoned woman named Liu Yin (Zhou Xun). Although Lei wants to win her affection, she refuses to give it unless Lei Bully can find the woman’s father. Enter Chang Hsien (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai), a talented magician who may or may not have ties to the local revolutionary groups. As he begins to show off his spectacular magic tricks, he quickly grabs the attention of Lei Bully and the two men bond. However, it seems that Liu Yin has a history with Chang Hsien. The two were formerly lovers, and at the same time that Bully is attempting to win Liu Yin’s heart, he also holds Chang Hsien’s former mentor in prison. With so much riding on the line, Chang Hsien holds his cards close to his chest and the audience must take this ride alongside him and see just what this magician has planned. |
| The Review |
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Although it probably isn’t expected of a Derek Yee film, there is a great deal of humor within the movie. At first glance, the story doesn’t seem as if it would lend itself to a heavy dose of humor, but the movie finds surprising ways to incorporate a lot of comedy into the plot. Most of the secondary characters step into the film to garner laughs, and in doing this the story manages to remain rather lighthearted. Tony Leung is also instrumental in keeping things rather breezy. While still delivering upon the requisite drama needed, Leung also manages to be completely charismatic in everything that he does. Playing dress-up in numerous scenes, Leung seems as if he is having a blast within this rather silly role – and his enthusiasm is infectious. Chang Wan Lau, who plays Bully Lei, is the other standout from the main cast. Viewers may remember him from films such as Mad Detective (he played the titular detective), Full Alert, or Running Out of Time, but this is definitely a role that stands out within his filmography. Playing the lovable buffoon who doesn’t even realize his own missteps, the character would seem most easily presented as a villain, but he instead comes across as far too lovably goofy for that. The rest of the cast is filled with familiar faces, including Xun Zhou who plays the primary love interest, and most do acquit themselves well, but the two mega-stars are the ones who continually draw the most attention.
| The Conclusion |
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