The Great Magician (大魔術師)

Having returned from studies in Europe, magician Zhang Xian (張賢) now collaborates with a group of democracy activists while also wishing to reclaim his sweetheart Liu Yin (柳蔭). Since Zhang's departure to Europe, however, General Bully Lei (雷大牛) has kidnapped Yin as his seventh wife and has held Yin's father — who is also Zhang's mentor — captive. Yin stays put for the sake of her father's safety but still spurns Lei's advances.

With his proficiency in magic, Zhang soon makes a name for himself in town. As Lei brings Yin to Zhang's performance, the magician tries to win back his old love. Yet Yin holds grudges still, for Zhang's departure three years ago.

With dramatic expectations thus set up, “The Great Magician” goes on to undermine its premise bit by bit. Though many critics praise the film, I find myself emptied out and left with nothing but ephemeral laughs.

“The Great Magician” falls under the genre of the Chinese New Year comedy (賀歲片), which originated in Hong Kong in the 1970s and has evolved a mainland variety in the late 1990s as market demand shifted. Tropes of the genre include an all-star cast, madcap antics, festive flourishes and a happy ending. The dialogue and gags usually play on current events, the actors — and in this case the film industry itself, providing conversation starters for New Year's gatherings.

Without a doubt, viewers familiar with Chinese and Hong Kong cinema will be delighted by Tony Leung Chiu-wai (梁朝偉) as Zhang, Zhou Xun (周迅) as Yin and Lau Ching-wan (劉青雲) as Lei. Overall, the two leading men enjoy larger canvases in their characters than Zhou does in the beautiful but icy Yin. Moreover, the solid supporting cast includes Daniel Wu (吳彥祖), Alex Fong Chung Sun (方中信), Paul Chun (秦沛), Yan-ni (閆妮) Wu-gang (吳剛) and more cameos.

Cues taken from “The Warlord” (1972, 大軍閥), “Vampire Expert” (殭屍道長, 1995), “The Illusionist” (2006) and “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” (2006) would delight film buffs.

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