Bury Me High
Reviewed by Jack Sobjack
Director: Tsui
Siu-ming
Year: 1991
Rating: 9.0
This highly entertaining action film is about
the Asian belief of Geomancy (Divination by means of lines and figures or
by signs from the earth). Before I get into my review I'd like to stress the
importance of paying close attention to the very beginning of this movie.
If you don't, you'll have many questions later on.
The film opens with 2 geomancers (Paul Chun Pui and CoreyYuen) searching
Indochina's wilderness for their dream burial place (To keep this from becoming
confusing, I'll refer to the two geomancers as "Good Geo" and "Evil Geo").
After discovering the scared burial place, the evil geo declares he wants
to be buried in the site where power will be bestowed on his future descendants;
so that they may become mandarins, generals or presidents. However, if a
man evil in nature is buried there his children would be blessed with power,
but millions would die. So good geo tries to convince him that the Conqueor
Locale (the site which represents wealth) is the site he wants. When evil
geo realizes he's been deceived by his partner, he and a blood thirty mob
go hunting for some geomancer hide. The good geo makes an escape by jumping
aboard a peasant's boat. Even though his escape is a success, the peasant
is shot. As he's dying he tells the geomancer his wish is to be buried in
the Conqueor Locale so no longer will his family be poor. The good geo promises
to grant the peasant his last request and vows to himself that one day he
will be buried in the "Wisdom" site. Are you following me so far?
Okay, now in case you're thinking, "Damn, Jack, why not just spoil the whole
movie!" I wouldn't think of it. All of this happens within the first ten
minutes! That is why earlier I stressed the importance of paying close attention
from the start. If you don't, like me, you'll end up being confused when
characters are referring to the information provided earlier and you'll have
to back-track to the beginning.
Fast forward to about 20 years later. Moon Lee: a wealthy Los Angeles business-woman
is having problems with her computer company. Wisely (Chin Kar Lok): Computer
hacker with powers of geomancy and IQ of 200 is having brain trouble. A malignant
tumor to be exact. Coincidence? I think not! With good fortune brought upon
one's family there's a catch: If the remains of the ancestor(s) are not unearthed
in 24 years or the main grave is not destroyed, good fortune will take a
turn for the worst. Hence the current problems of Moon and Chin, and where
their adventure begins.
What a terrific movie I thought this was. Excellent story, interesting characters,
great cast and exotic locales. Everything from Moon looking very elegant
in her designer outfits to the menacing General Nguen played by Yuen Wah
and his sister played by Sibelle Hu to the unique camera angles. I could
keep going but I think you get the idea. And if not I'll be a little more
specific. You must see this film! While I don't expect you to enjoy it as
much as I did, you'll certainly find it entertaining. And the last few minutes
of this film alone is worth the price of admission. And did I say how great
Moon looked?
My rating for this film: 9.0
