Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

Cast: Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Lee Bing-Bing, Deng Chao, Tony Leung

Director: Tsui Hark

Tsui Hark is back in this Chinese Murder Mystery with a splash of action and  a truck load of fantasy, but will he be able to awaken the flame in you or will  it just be another phantom, lets find out.

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Andy lau plays detective Dee who is released from prison by the Empress Wu (Carina Lau) to investigate the mysterious deaths of two officials who have spontaneously combusted in front of people. A gigantic statue of  Buddha is being built to commemorate the ascension of Empress Wu , who will become the first female leader   of China and this is where the first murder takes place.  The Empress sends her top aide  Jinger (Li Bing-Bing) to keep an eye on Detective Dee  and officer Pei Donglai (Deng Chao) so they may find the murder before the ceromony.

Tsui Hark provides a feast for the eyes once more with some stunning sets that light up the screen from the statue of Buddha to the Phantom Bazaar.  The set piece in the bazaar has a surprise turn by Richard Ng and later a shock inclusion of Teddy Robin Kwan as Wang Bo.  It is a real treat to watch my eyes were darting from scene to scene trying to take it all in.

Andu lau plays it well with what hes given and this fun packed story is exactly that fun.  Don't try and make to much sense of it or wonder why certain things are there becasue this is Tsui Harks movie and your just there to enjoy the ride.

So in summary is Tsui Hark  back, yes I would say to the extent that its a real treat and harks (get it!) back to the days of old.  I for one would recommend this movie you may not come back to it but for a couple of hours you'll be taken to a magical place where murder and mysteryare fused together with humour, fast pacing and adventure.

out of 5