Human Lanterns [Blu-ray] 88 Films Limited Edition

Brittioriginaali, eli toimii normaalisti suomisoittimissa mutta ei suomitekstejä. Tekstit englanniksi.  88 Filmsin Limited Edition, jossa mukana Slipcase jne. 

Though featuring the Shaw Brothers custom brand of martial arts mayhem, HUMAN LANTERNS also taps into the early 80s craze for the American slasher film and the earlier Hammer horrors by providing a grisly take on the serial killer feature in an inimitable Hong Kong style.

When an unbalanced craftsman decides to get revenge on two Kung Fu masters by creating special lanterns constructed from the human skin of their dead relatives, all hell breaks loose in this gruesome tale of bloody retribution.

Taking its inspiration from movies like Psycho and real cases like Ed Gein, HUMAN LANTERNS is clearly not for the faint-hearted with its over the top gore and sadistic qualities but this slice of darker than dark fantasy still manages to be both wonderfully horrible and impressively entertaining.

Extras:

Audio commentary by Kenneth Brorsson and Phil Gillon of the Podcast On Fire Network
Interview with Susan Shaw by Fred Ambroisine

• Language ? : ? Chinese
• Package Dimensions ? : ? 17.5 x 13.1 x 1.4 cm; 90 Grams
• Director ? : ? Chung Sun
• Run time ? : ? 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Release date ? : ? 16 May 2022
• Actors ? : ? Yung Liu, Kuan-tai Chen, Lieh Lo, Linda Chu
• Subtitles: ? : ? English
• Studio ? : ? 88 Films
• ASIN ? : ? B09RTVLVXJ
• Number of discs ? : ? 1

Two big egos (Master Tan Fu ~ Chen Kuan Tai, and Master Lung ~ Lau Wing) around town, squabble their days away before the annual lantern festival. Arguing over who will have the best lantern. Lung opts for his tried and tested method of getting the best lantern maker in town to sub~contract the work and employ his 'secret' friend (an expert, reclusive lantern maker) to pull the stops out, in the hope that he might win best in show again, during the parade, and show up his current nemesis Tan Fu.
But when the pact is made, family members from both sides of the respected households soon go missing.. and with no real clues as to the whereabouts of the missing women, just accusations flying left, right, and centre, something most sinister appears to be afoot...

I forgot how good Human Lanterns was! I haven't seen this period Kung Fu/horror revenge tale in years and years (mid 90s?!).. It's corny and there's too much wire work during the fight scenes (typical for it's dark fairy tale/almost wuxia-esque characters), but I still very much enjoyed it..
It's got a really unique vibe to it, especially during the unhinged moments of female abduction. Lo Lieh's mad, lantern making serial killer, dressed up like an undead yeti, terrorising all the women cast members, as he pounces and gibbers from the trees above.
Giving the audience a character that stays just on the right side of ridiculousness by his lightening quick movements, vicious leering, and insane yammering ~ all at the flip of a switch, one connected to some very faulty brain wiring!
Ultimately giving us a bitter, hate filled creature.. That once upon a time could conceivably have been a true hero, but now someone who is only suitable to apply for jobs in Ilse Koch's local Ikea!

I remember being somewhat underwhelmed the first time I saw this, expecting a lot more gore - given it's reputation - but this latest viewing, left me surprised at just how gruesome a film it is at times (please don't misunderstand me, the effects are crumby for sure, but if you can get over that, it's sheer delight in shocking macabre is a joy to behold!).. Particularly during the skinning scenes in his subterranean workshop from hell!
Like Hong Kong's answer to  Crucible of Terror [DVD] [1971] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC ]; but with a similar macabre zeal to it, as Anthony Wong's insane, taboo busting, rape~cannibal~murderer~fest 'Bunman: The Untold Story', made a little over 10yrs later!
Most amusing.. I think this one gets better and better with age. And well worth repeated viewings.

The UK disc is a Celestial pictures effort, so is a lovely print. The disc only having a subtitled option this time. Although I haven't checked myself, others have mentioned that this is still not the longest possible version (UK's Momentum release that is ~ albeit it's very close ~ just one extended skinning bit during a scene), but as good as anything out there.
4.5/5

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