Written by Roy Szeto Wai-Cheuk and Tsui Hark, starring Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Jacky Cheung, Joey Wong, Lau Shun, Lau Siu-Ming and Nina Li Chi. Directed by Ching Siu-Tung, produced by Tsui Hark, with action by Ching Siu-Tung, Yuen Bun, Ma Yuk-Sing and Cheung Yiu-Sing.
A Film Workshop/Golden Princess Amusement Co. Ltd production.

Set a hundred years after the events of the first movie, the tree demon is on the loose again, controlling some beautiful ghosts. The hero this time is a Buddhist monk nicely played by Tony Leung, and Joey Wong is once again the ghostly love interest.

The original A CHINESE GHOST STORY from 1987 was a horror-martial-arts-ghost-comedy-romance that masterfully merged all its elements very well. This sequel, on the other hand, is far more weighted towards romantic slapstick comedy and is less focused on the sword fights and monsters. This is a shame as the tree demon’s giant killer tongue returns in this movie, but is not used as much as it could have been.

We do get some brief monstrous moments, though, when a temple building comes to life and the giant stone head of a mountain demon is briefly seen.

There’s some novel stuff to look out for too, like the master monk stretching his earlobes to cover his eyes when he’s caught by the tree demon: this ‘ear technique’ is quite weird looking!

There’s also a ghost girl who can extend her fingernails super-long, but this movie, ultimately, though it boasts some winning performances, simply lacks the heart, the verve and the visual flair of the far better original.