Yu Pui Tsuen II
Before Michael Mak’s Sex And Zen became a cult favourite in the ’90s, there was Ho Fan’s Yu Pui Tsuen (The Carnal Prayer Mat, 1987). But without sex bomb Amy Yip, coarse humour or lesbian love affairs, Yu Pui Tsuen had to rely on the nudity and sex from his cast of relative unknowns to save the day. When a young man dreams that he drowns after a night of carnal passion, he asks a buddhist monk to translate the experience for him. The monk replies that the dream is a warning not to indulge the pleasures of the flesh to excess, but the man ignores his advice, marrying a virgin and making love to her constantly. However, after several torrid affairs, the man begins to realise the sagacity of the monk's warning.
Insights
Plot Summary
A scholar who is proficient in martial arts and ancient spells is lured into a dangerous game by a powerful sorceress. He must use his unique skills to navigate treacherous trials and confront formidable foes, all while entangled in a web of romance and betrayal. The fate of a kingdom, and his own life, hang in the balance as he uncovers dark secrets and battles against supernatural forces.
Critical Reception
Yu Pui Tsuen II was a commercial success in its native Hong Kong, capitalizing on the popularity of fantasy and martial arts films with supernatural elements. While critical reception was mixed, with some praising its visual effects and action sequences for the time, others found its plot convoluted and its tone inconsistent. It remains a notable film within the 'mo lei tau' (nonsense comedy) genre blended with fantasy.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its energetic action and creative supernatural elements.
- Criticized for a sometimes confusing plot and over-the-top humor.
- Seen as a fun, albeit formulaic, entry in the Hong Kong fantasy genre.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available often highlight the film's blend of humor and action as its primary strengths, though some find the narrative less engaging than its visual spectacle.
Fun Fact
The film is a sequel to 'The Return of Yu Pui Tsuen', and both were known for their imaginative and often bizarre special effects, which were a significant draw for audiences in the late 1980s Hong Kong cinema scene.
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