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The Secret of the Magic
Gourd
Directed by: John Chu & Frankie Chung
Starring: Peisi Chen
Genre:
Fantasy
Run Time: 85
min.
Release Date:
January 2009
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
If there was ever any doubt that China
couldn’t make ...something (anything!), then this film should put that
to rest.
A Disney feature shot entirely in China and dubbed for American
audiences (in this version), THE SECRET OF THE MAGIC GOURD is a
mixture of Disneyesque proportions with heavy Chinese influences.
Although not troubling in terms of entertainment, it is if you’re in the
entertainment industry. How far will we go to save an extra buck?
The story itself does battle with inconsistencies and an incredibly
simple — if not downright ridiculous — premise. It is the story of a boy
and his ...well ...gourd. A magic gourd rumored to live not far from Bau
Hu Lu (Chinese child star Peisi Chen) and spoken of in fable form by
Bau’s grandmother. The gourd, it is rumored, will grant any wish to
whomever is its master. For Bau, who is lazy and wants nothing to do
with his school work, it seems like a dream come true when he meets up
with the Magic Gourd. But having all your wishes granted can turn to
nightmares, as Bau learns. And the lesson is easily transparent for
adults and kids alike. Perhaps too transparent.
Bau learns a few life basics by doing his own work and becoming a better
person for it. No surprise.
One of the bigger story issues I had was the occasional incorporation of
a frog-friend to the gourd who seemed to have no other purpose than to
hop around and croak at us a few times. What gives?
Nothing remotely challenging can be found in this hybrid
Chinese/American fantasy. Move along.
(back to top) |
Image from The Secret of
the Magic Gourd
DVD cost: $19.71
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Filmed entirely in Hangzou,
Zhejiang, China.
Movie Quote: "So
from now on you are officially my one and only master."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Secret of the Magic Gourd
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