Bury Me High
Reviewed by Jack Sobjack
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
DVD Information:
Distributor - Universe
The transfer is very nice - some scenic landscape
shots that come out great - and the interior scenes look good.
Letterbox
Trailer & preview of Miracle Fighters (looks
cool whatever it is)
8 Chapters
Subs - English, Chinese, Bahasa (Malaysia)
Star files - None
The subs are easy to read - nice and large.