Demon of the Lute (1983)

Utterly joyous insanity

Fondly dedicated to all children, Demon of the Lute is a charmingly frantic mix of high-energy style and lighthearted but utterly joyous insanity. Bridging the gap between younger audiences and adult genre fans, the film is filled to the brim with outrageously over-the-top and beautifully inventive slapstick wire-fu, exceptionally vibrant colours and a truly magical atmosphere, all directed with pulpy confidence by Tang Tak-Cheung in one of only two films he ever directed, which in itself is a crime. A gloriously knockabout romp never takes its foot off the accelerator that gifts us Lee Hoi San with a big red afro, a hero with a gigantic pair of golden scissors, a fight between a hero and an Alsatian drawn carriage, dolls emitting fireworks that warn of danger, villains with extending beards and appendages… madness goes on and on to the point where you wish it'd never stop. Obviously, it's all a bit narratively uneven, and the characters are very much sketch work, but when it comes to the visuals, the film is incredible; plenty of lavish sets, heavy lighting, wacky visual effects and boldly spectacular action that drive the film consistently forward. The performances are all solid, with the cast clearly having an absolute blast with their roles, while the soundtrack is a bizarre mishmash of upbeat rock and roll as power, talent, and obsession blur together. Although it probably all ends up as a step too far for some people, Demon of the Lute marks itself out as a truly uproarious children's film that can be enjoyed by any age. Then again, how can you not love a film that ends with a rousing speech delivered by a talking parrot?

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