Rigor Mortis

I'm not the biggest fan of movies and it usually takes me a very long time to get around to watching any of the newer ones. But let me tell you this is a good movie. I've easily watch this movie over 30 times now which is saying something. I've even suggested it and lent out my DVD to people just so they could see it. So if you're into this kind of genre and style of movie I'd greatly suggest watching it!

This is a creative homage to the genre of Chinese Horror films, by young Hong Kong director Juno Mak. This is his first feature film. It is a grim, unrelenting film, without the usual comedic elements of the genre. The devastating emotional pain of the loss of loved ones defines the mood of the story, and it is equally important to the extreme physical pain and gory violence of the action sequences. Although-by hindsight-the title "Rigor Mortis" is revealing, please note that crucial plot elements are reviewed here. Actor Siu-Ho Chin, of Mr. Vampire (1985)fame, arrives in a run-down apartment complex. All his belongins fit in a milk crate, and a battered suitcase which holds the costumes of his famous roles. His acting career is over, and he has been separated from his wife and his beloved son. In his frame of mind, his new abode appears like a post-apocalyptic prison. There, in his dreary cubicle #2442, crushed by loneliness and remorse, he takes his life. His dying brain casts the fleeting impressions of the other inhabitants of the apartment complex into a complex narrative of traditional Chinese Horror. There's the retired Taoist Vampire Hunter, the twin ghosts of two girls, a corrupt priest dabbling in Black Magic, and the inevitable Chinese Vampire. The actor reprises, for one last time, his famous screen exploits. This is a masterfully directed, photographed and edited film, with first-rate special effects. It is frightening and emotionally poignant at the same time. Blu-ray extras include the trailer of the film, a making-of featurette which comprises conversations with the director and the principal actors, and a small photo gallery.

This is a tale of a man and the inhabitants of the building he moves to. Asian ghost stories are one of my favorite genres and this film delivers in high quality. At times it leaves you wondering what's real and what isn't. I've watched this several times and it still delivers.

One of the best Asian horror films that I have seen.

NOT region one format- not NTST will not play on U.S. format media player. Amazon needs to- along with the venders- to make sure that the format and region code is correct. Disappointed. The heading of any media sold on Amazon- should have the correct information. Can't comment on the film itself as item seems to have been mismarked.

I bought this film with 10 000 BC and was not really impressed. I am use to foreign martial arts style films. Like Shaolin Soccer, Mahjong Kung fu and more serious ones (i'm aware those are comedy martial arts) The reason I brought this up is because even though they are comedy martial arts films, they implemented more martial arts scenes/fights in the story. Rigor mortis is basically a murder type mystery film with the ending scene being the physical fights and 2 short scenes towards the beginning. This isnt a bad thing, just dont expect it to be action packed. The story itself is basic. Man isolates himself in a bad part of the city, like a slum, that just happens to be haunted by a ghost of a person who committed suicide. You meet a variety of people from a black magic practitioner, retired buddhist monk and regular residents. There are a few surprises, it's not all straightforward. I just expected it to have a bit more martials arts, especially when trailers make it seem like it has them. The ghost and Chinese Vampire i'm already familiar with, so it doesn't grab my attention, however some may enjoy it because its a chinese version of them. Like I said, it's not a bad film. It's merely passable popcorn flick.

Nice take on Chinese vampire lore. Or ghost story or zombie story...? Anyway, visually stunning and a really great cast. I loved it and I bought it.

have been wanting this gem for my collection for a while!!! such a great Japanese horror movie

昔のようなキョンシー映画としては観ないことをオススメします。 「霊幻道士」のオマージュ作品だな という点がそこらに散りばめられてるのは観て良かった。

A man moves into a run down apartment building, planning on ending his life. But he is saved, then goes on to discover the building has other, supernatural occupants. This is a Chinese film with Cantonese audio and English subtitles. It's a very dreary film as the setting is a dilapidated building full of people who seem to have been worn down by life. The colour palette is drab, matching the general feel of the production. This isn't your typical supernatural horror that you would get from the US - it puts on display Asian customs and beliefs and makes the supernatural more 'natural' than you would typically see. But this doesn't necessarily make it a great film. It does take a long time to get to the point and I felt it was too long at 95 minutes. There isn't a lot of character development and since there is quite a large cast it makes it a bit difficult to find a rapport with many of them. And most of them don't give you any reason to like them, anyway. There's a bit of blood and gore but really not much in the way of scares or suspense. I gave it the benefit of the doubt but wasn't particularly impressed. But if you like Asian-themed films and supernatural themes this film might suit you.

Excellent movie. Good action, good actor.

This was a good film really enjoyed it

Can’t watch it , it’s not in English