Is Those Merry Souls Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1985)

📖 The Core Premise

Those Merry Souls returns to the screen in 1985, bringing a fresh narrative to the Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Horror genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Chiu Chi-Lung and Ng Kuai-Tak are two movie stunt actors in Hong Kong and are suspicious of Lung's father Chiu's mysterious behavior. Unbeknownst to them, Chiu was commissioned as a "messenger" by the Spirit World to take newly-departed souls to the other side. When Tak suffers a major accident on the movie set, Chiu keeps Tak's soul from being taken away, thereby, reviving him."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Yuen Biao shines in a role that demands both nuance and gravitas, elevating the material significantly. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Those Merry Souls worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Horror films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. It stands out as one of the stronger entries of 1985, offering enough depth to satisfy critical viewers while remaining accessible to casual audiences.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Those Merry Souls is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 95 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.