Fatal Comic (2002) / Action-Drama

MPAA Rated: Not rated, but probably PG-13 for violence and some language
Running Time: 86 min.

Cast: Sik Siu Loong, Patrick Keung, Cherie Kong, Philip Ho Man
Director: Kun Wu Ka (Aman Wu)
Review published September 27, 2006

One could call this film by its unintentionally humorous title of Fatal Comic, but after viewing it, you may choose to dub it using my intentionally satirical alternate title, "Fetid Vomit". 

There's almost nothing redeeming here about this amateurish production, with a DOA script, horrible acting, poorly edited fight sequences, and a mystery so laughably constructed, you may actually second guess yourself because it seems far too obvious. Never underestimate the stupidity of a bad movie; nothing is ever deemed as too obvious.

When his popular comic book artist father Ying is found mysteriously murdered, his aspiring artist son, Tian-xing (Sik Siu Loong, Dragon from Shaolin), takes over the unfinished independent comic book, which Ying claimed to be his ultimate masterpiece.  With the help of his spirited aunt, he tries to tell the tale of Sky Walker, a story about a son trying to save his father from the dreaded villain, Black Devil, with his story now drawing many parallels to real life.  What he didn't plan on was the solution to the comic book being the key to solving the mystery of his father's murder.

I've seen plenty of bad martial arts movies in my many years of reviewing movies, and freely admit that, if there are enough exciting, well-choreographed battles, I will give the film a recommendation, even if the plot and dialogue are mediocre at best.  That won't happen here, as Fatal Comic injects several poorly constructed fights infused with boring digital camera tricks like strobing, freeze frames and slow motion.  It's clear that the fighters often miss their mark, although the sound effects, overdone is a way I haven't heard since the chop-socky 1970s, are meant to make the action more exciting.  It fails on every level.

It's very difficult to buy into this story, as we can clearly see that the art work by Ying is barely passable as far as comic books go, and there is no way such a trite revenge plot at the heart of the story could ever be deemed as his masterwork.  Former child kung fu artist Siu Loong is far too old to play the role of the young boy anymore, and the goofy baseball cap and shorts look they give him makes him look more like a "special needs" student than as a typical kid.

About the only thing I enjoyed is the aforementioned unintentional humor of seeing a movie this atrociously presented.  Sad to say, nothing made me laugh more than when I found out that the aunt's name is "Ka Ka".  Perhaps they should have also named the movie after her.

Qwipster's rating:

©2006 Vince Leo