Review by Chris Rennirt 

Kung Fu Ghost (the latest film from director, writer, actor, and producer Jennifer Linch) has something for everyone, with its masterful mix of genres—comedy, drama, action, romance, and yes, the expected and always anticipated martial arts.  Here’s one to make you laugh, cry, and even grip your seat.

What’s it all about?  Daisy (Jennifer Linch), in Vietnam as the story begins, has inherited a house from her grandfather (David S. Dawson).   Filled with excitement and dreams, she begins her journey to America.  There, she finds her new home haunted, with all the clichés of the best horror films.  And, it’s exactly those clichés (a true bonus here) that add to the movie’s memorable humor.  Even Bambi isn’t left out of this one!  In this house, “the walls,” may indeed “bleed when there’s a full moon” (wink, wink), but you can bet the raven, creepy fog, and noises in the night that a laugh or two is sure to follow.

From the movie’s opening scene with Daisy talking to her cat, humor is well established and most effective.  What’s best about it is that, throughout the movie, it all comes naturally from the lighthearted, playful personality of Linch herself.  Never forced, we get the feeling that Daisy is truly Linch and Linch is truly Daisy.  Linch has fun with her role, obviously, making it all the more fun to watch.  The scenes with Linch trying be “sexy” are hilarious; I watched many more than once just for the laugh.  Daisy is an already, naturally sexy girl trying too hard to be what she already is, misstepping and overstepping all the way.  She’s the perfect innocent, naive, truly beautiful woman, funny because Linch is such a natural in the role.

Speaking of the “always anticipated martial arts,” kung fu (ever appropriate in the movie’s title) sets new heights of jaw-dropping chops and kicks.  Even a black belt would be impressed with this one!  Jennifer Linch outdoes herself again with martial arts action that could carry the movie on its own, even if all else failed.  But, as a treat for all of us, all else succeeds…again!  Better yet, Kung Fu Ghost doesn’t skimp on the martial arts because it’s a comedy.  Instead, kung fu is intensified and blended in, becoming a focal point and compliment to the comedy.  I’d even call it a sort of slapstick martial arts, in the way it adds playfulness.  In a one scene, Linch begins a fight by offering her adversary a drink, and later tickles him after knocking him down.  In another scene, butt kicking has never been so literal and humorous.  (You’ll have to watch it to see what I’m talking about.)  And don’t worry about missing it.  It’s too obvious…and, for me, too funny not to rewind and watch again.

Also worthy of mention (and hearing) is the musical score. Kung Fu Ghost makes great use of a soundtrack that perfectly matches the movie’s humorous moments.  Its whimsical tone keeps pace with the action, on cue throughout, standing out but never distracting.  I even heard at least one familiar, funny tune I can’t quite place or identify.  Along with the whole soundtrack, it added a punch to the comedy that kept me laughing.  And, in a comedy, that’s always a good thing.

Without giving too much away, suspense and mystery are added with an “artifact”—one with the power of life and death that Daisy is charged with protecting.  And Daisy, a girl who thinks 10:30 a.m. is too early to wake up is, of course, less than ideal for the job.  With no shortage of bumbling thieves after the prize, the job is ever more difficult and humorous.  Is there hope?  In a movie like Kung Fu Ghost, anything is possible.

The cast also includes David S. Dawson (as Grandpa), Noah Sargent (as William), Rene Fernandez (as Warren), Mark Atkinson (Marv), Eddie Lain (as Harry), and Whitney Wegman-Wood (as Intruder 9, in the credits).  David S. Dawson makes Grandpa the excellent compliment to Daisy’s character, truly bringing out the best in her–in the humor as well as physical-training department.  Dawson nails the role as the loving but tough grandpa, also convincing as a wise and mystical master of martial arts.  Noah Sargent, as William, provides balance and a level of needed seriousness, as the stoic man of mystery and more–more that’s best left unrevealed here.  Sargent currently has three other IMDb credits (Only Human, Tambers Land and Will He Forgive Me); but, with his talent, I expect many more will follow.  Rene Fernandez, as Warren, is just the undpredictable, possible villain we need, keeping us guessing until the end.  In a small part that makes a big splash is Kiki Yeung (as Minh).  Only seen via video call, she develops a character maximally, with minimal screen time.  Yeung proves it only takes is a face, a voice, and a few minutes to do the job…if you’ve the talent to do it.  And in the opening scene, the cat should receive an acting credit as well!  (Yes, I’ll be looking for that on IMDb!)  I have a feeling that his (or her) talents are more than just the result of good training.

Writer Ivan White has created a story that, above all else, is consistent and successful with the genres it aspires to be, blending them smartly and evenly, from beginning to end.  Too often, I review such films that get the dreaded “doesn’t know it wants to be” comment.  Kung Fu Ghost knows exactly what it wants to be, doing everything exactly right.  Thanks to White, it’s a drama, a romance, an action film, a thriller (just a bit) and, above all else, a comedy that’s truly funny.  Also refreshing is the movie’s overall complexity and unpredictable ending.  What seems, at first, like a simple comedy turns out to be a story including far greater depth and meaning than expected.  It was exactly that range of emotions I experienced that made me like Kung Fu Ghost more–actually much more.

Another credit to writer Ivan White involves the way romance is included and made authentic.  And with that, what a wonderful, ironically believable love story it is!  Many such movies contrive it all with abandon, but Kung Fu Ghost doesn’t.  Grounded in the spiritual world as much as the material, destiny becomes the story’s intelligent, logical way of putting things together.  Reviewing movies, I too often see how writers haven’t constructed, as they have full ability to do, a world that justifies the events they include.  White constructs that world very well.

There are numerous scenes in Kung Fu Ghost with cinematography that is as beautiful as it is technically masterful–a true feast for the eyes.  Dreamlike naturescapes and cosmic night skies are included as connections to magical moments, with swirling celestial backdrops and vivid, surreal color as metaphors.  With these, powerful feelings and clear images of intangible elements are created in the mind, as a palate for experience and emotion.  Here, I thought of a particular, most colorful walk Daisy takes outside when meeting William.  Actually, I’m still thinking of it now.

Also with cinematography to appreciate are the numerous opening scenes of the beautiful country of Vietnam!  Having been there many times myself, seeing places like the dragon bridge over the River Hàn in Da Nang, the beautiful, ancient city of Hội An, Cần Thơ, and the modern, neon-lights and skyscrapers of Ho Chi Minh City brought back vivid memories of favorite times in my life.  Such scenes are objectively beautiful, no matter what.  But, the intensity of it all is a personal (and romantic) thing for me.  While I surely digress, I thoroughly enjoy the nostalgia!

Speaking of nostalgia, there is a great homage to another favorite ghost-story romance from the past–Ghost (1990), starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze.  It’s a pottery scene you can’t miss.  Fans will love it, and the connection is perfect–perfectly funny, that is!

Just as much of a treat is the blooper reel and extended ending.  Never more true than it is here, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”  Yes!  This is one of the most necessary endings beyond the end I’ve ever seen, even without the bloopers.  The final end adds a closure that satisfies those with a more sentimental sweet tooth, yet still leaves things to the imagination…as they are ultimately better left.

On second thought (as I honestly thought after writing my first), Kung Fu Ghost may give viewers just what they want with the ending, in a choice.  Bittersweet or sweeter may be that choice, as much as it often is in life.  Depending on you, I suppose, the story ends or, possibly, only begins after the bloopers.  Is it all fate or is it all choice?  Or is there really no difference?

Kung Fu Ghost is a fun, ultimately uplifting movie that’s easy to like, if not love and remember.  It’s one you’ll watch again (and again) for the relaxing, enjoyable places it takes you.  Along with Daisy, I stopped many times to think about events in the story that mirrored moments in my own life–about those I’ve loved and lost, and those I’ve found again somewhere, somehow.  I realized how varied are the many ways viewers can connect.  Along with the laughs and tears, anyone can relate to something in Kung Fu Ghost on a personal, possibly emotional note, making it all the more meaningful, memorable, and truly entertaining.  If only life and movies were always so wonderful, what a wonderful world it would be.

BONUS SCREENSHOTS!

Chris Rennirt (the author of this review) is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews.  He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often.  Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews and in Effective Magazine.  His mission statement (describing his goals as a movie critic and philosophy for review writing) can be found on the “Mission” page, here at SJR.  For more information about Chris Rennirt (including contact details, publicity photos, and more), click here.

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