Since this is my first website, I thought I'd make my first movie review a special one. This lead me to Bio Zombie, the best (and only, until the sequel is released) straight-up zombie movie in Hong Kong cinema history.
The story goes something like this: Two vcd salesmen (term used loosely) named Woody Invincible (Jordan Chan) and Crazy Bee (Sam Lee) are going through their daily routine (gawking at breasts, harrassing customers, bothering fellow shopkeepers,etc.) when they recieve a call from their boss telling them to pick up his car at a shady auto-repair garage.
After a hilarious roach scene accompanied by some great music, we are taken to a suspicious warehouse later that night. It would seem that some Iraqis have made a chemical that turns people who drink it into zombies. A test ensues and goes haywire.
The remaining Chinese businessman runs away with the chemical in a case. As our two heroes drive down the street they hit the man with their car. They get out and try to help him, but end up pouring some of the chemical down his throat, proceeding to throw the body in the trunk. This is where the fun begins.
Basically everything in Bio Zombie is taken from George Romero's Dawn of the Dead, but it's more fresh and fun. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously and that's where it shines. For example: in one scene Jordan Chan's character, Woody Invincible, is checking things in the security room. He checks a gun and a "Reload" icon appears on the screen; he checks a lock and a "No Key" icon appears. It's stuff like this that makes the movie fun to watch. In another scene, Woody tells the other survivors to get weapons and every character's profile flashes on screen, video game style.
The acting is believable, but the standout is Sam Lee as Crazy Bee. Sam Lee is quickly becoming one of my favorite Hong Kong actors. He's got the style, the humor, and the acting ability. Jordan Chan is good as Woody Invincible, and there are a couple of girls in the movie as well, including Angela Tong as Rolls. Wayne Lai as Kui is great, even if he does play a coward (I love the face-off with Jordan Chan and Wayne Lai after Wayne's store gets smashed up. Classic). My only gripe about the film is the ending. It's a total bummer, but at the same time it's really cool. I won't give it away because it's quite shocking. Great stuff. If you ever come across this movie, get it, it's a one-of-a-kind experience.
Crazy Bee's Score-A
*some images taken from kung fu cult cinema at www.kfccinema.com*