RIGOR MORTIS is a Hong Kong horror movie from youthful director Juno Mak that has been devised as a tribute to Hong Kong horror of old, in particular the MR. VAMPIRE franchise. Many old-time stars of this film series have been cast in supporting roles, so there's a nostalgic, warm glow for Hong Kong cinema buffs that sits at odds with the rather grisly and mean-spirited plotting.The setting is a derelict apartment building of the kind favoured in Japanese ghost cinema such as DARK WATER (it comes as no surprise that Takashi Shimizu, director of JU-ON: THE GRUDGE, is a producer here). Anthony Chan is the newcomer who moves in only to discover that the building is plagued by both a sinister and aggressive vampire as well as twin ghosts. The latter are borrowed straight from THE GRUDGE with the addition of lots of pretty CGI effects.What follows is an occasionally confusing story with random scenes interspersed out of linear order and occasionally dodgy plotting. It's definitely a case of style over substance, and the whole thing builds to a flashy and brutal fight scene, nothing more. Yet the CGI is pretty decent, and the sight of old-timers like Richard Ng, Fat Chung, and Kara Hui getting their teeth (sometimes literally) into the material is irresistible, and this is a lot of fun if you're in the right mood.

I make it no secret to anyone that I love the movies of Takashi Shimizu. One of the most exciting moments of my career as a movie blogger was getting the opportunity to interview the talented Writer / Director / Producer. While many grew weary of "The Grudge" after so many spin-offs and sequels, I actually enjoyed and found most of them terrifyingly entertaining.His other works like "Reincarnation," "The Shock Labyrinth," and "Tormented" are all fine examples of what Shimizu can do outside the box of his most famous creation. I've been waiting years for his film "4700" to be released either straight-to-DVD or in theaters. It looks like we'll have to settle for projects produced by him for a while. One of those was recently released by Well Go USA Entertainment."Rigor Mortis" is a supernatural tale featuring vampires, zombies, ghost hunters, and other creatures that haunt your nightmares. They all seem to have a fixation on the apartment building a washed-up suicidal actor moved into. As you can imagine, all sorts of very strange and disturbing occurrences unfold. Mix in some martial arts and you have a perfect homage to the classic Chinese vampire films of the past.Although "Rigor Mortis" is unrated, I would give it an R. There's a lot of gore and disturbing horror imagery. Bad language and some nudity can be found as well.I can definitely see why Takashi Shimizu took a liking to "Rigor Mortis." After seeing the filmmaker's more bizarre stylings in "The Shock Labyrinth" and "Tormented," I perceive why he was drawn to the strange characters and peculiar phantasmagorias Director Juno Mak came up with for this unique genre entry. If you grow weary of the typical American monster movies we constantly get, "Rigor Mortis" is a step in a curious direction.

I won't declare this one a total loss, as it has its good parts but as it goes on and on it starts to get too fuzzy to follow. Even laughable here and there I might say, cause some scenes are way too typical "Asian horror that won't end already!"The good parts: as everyone else said, long live the effects, nicely done, captivating even; the plot is OK, especially the first 70%, where you find out more and more, things start to get together and you are intrigued; characters are all OK.The bad parts: the never ending finale!; the extremely poor twist; some scenes make pretty much no sense.All in all, if you into Asian horror, guess you have to add Rigor mortis. But if you looking for a late night scary movie, it might be better to look elsewhere. This goes more in the fantasy section to be honest.Cheers!

For way too long have Korea, Thailand and Japan dominated the Asian market as far as ghost movies go. And it is really, really nice to see Hong Kong make a mark for itself in the ghost genre. Director Juno Mak has really managed to put together a really unique movie here.Unlike other Asian ghost movies, then this is not a stereotypical ghost movie with a dead girl in a white dress and having her long, black hair covering her face. No, this is way beyond that. Sure it has that element as well, but it just takes it to the next step. And as if that isn't enough, then "Rigor Mortis" also throws in the element of the Chinese vampire mythology into the mix. Odd? Perhaps. Does it work? Oh yeah it does!"Rigor Mortis" is a very visual and graphic movie, which is rather unlike most Asian ghost movies, and it is a much needed and most welcomed contribution to the genre.However, a word of warning, "Rigor Mortis" is not just for everyone, especially not if you are set in the way of the traditional Asian ghost movies. But enter this movie with an open mind and leave yourself open to the impressions, but visual and subliminal.The story in "Rigor Mortis" is about a troubled man who comes to an old and rundown building, where he rents room 2442 - a room with a dark and troubled past. Set out to take his own life and end his torment, it becomes clear that the entire building is a locale of haunts, gruesome tales, and dark magic.Effects-wise, then "Rigor Mortis" is a visual treat, eye candy if you will. Why? Well, because the CGI effects were realistic and came off a believable, and really helped augment the story and the flow of the movie. And it was nice to see some Asian ghost aside from that stereotypical girl in white dress with her hair covering her entire face.If you enjoy Asian horror movies, or perhaps ghost movies in particular, then you should without a doubt take a look at Juno Mak's movie, because it is rather amazing. Great entertainment, good story, nice effects and a great change of pace in this particular genre.