This is the story about so-called wizards or warlocks if I can call them like that. Arrogant and cheep thieves full of self-steam, who thinks that they can cloud other men's mind. I don't like Woody Allen, But Hellen Hunt is simply the best. She always knows how to refresh movie by her appearance and be one of a kind. When I'd seen "What women want", I definitely told to my self that for Hellen Hunt, sky was the limit. This is the message for all who believes that the power of manipulating people can makes someone rich. The other side of that coin is always tails. The ability of deception, which mark makes the hunter.

The other one being Scoop, though that still had its fair share of flaws. The Curse of the Jade Scorpion has often been cited as one of Allen's worst(Allen even saying it being his worst) and while I would have said that on first viewing on re-watch definitely not. The ending is over too soon and is a cop-out, a lot of chemistry between the actors is quite bland- non existent between Hunt and Aykroyd- and Dan Aykroyd is completely wasted in an underwritten role. However, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion is gorgeously filmed and the costumes and scenery are equally beautiful, one of Allen's better-looking later films. The upbeat and jazzy soundtrack matches the light bouncy mood of the film really well, while the script is very funny and smart with some intelligent touches and Allen's unmistakable style all over it and the story(while meandering towards the end) endears in its light-hearted approach, isn't too dull and doesn't waste its creative premise. The characters are not as relatable or as developed as other Allen films but other than Aykroyd's and to a lesser extent Charlize Theron's they do engage at least and like the script how they're written is distinctive of Woody Allen. Allen's direction hardly flounders and while he is in a way too old for his role he still gives a good account of himself, being purposefully neurotic, touchingly dithery and funny in a way that only he can be. Helen Hunt is wonderful, David Ogden Stiers plays with much lively gusto(if slightly hammy compared to everyone else but this is a case of that not being too much of a bad thing) and Elizabeth Berkley as well as looking beautiful is also surprisingly good. Like Aykroyd, Charlize Theron's character is very underwritten but her witty lines and her being at her sexiest more than compensate and she manages to be memorable at least. Overall, a decent film that could have been stronger but much better than its critical reputation and on re-watch. It's no Annie Hall, Crimes and Misdemeanours, Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters, Husbands and Wives or The Purple Rose of Cairo and it's not as ground-breaking as Zelig. But it is a long way from Allen's worst, What's Up Tiger Lily, Celebrity, To Rome With Love and Cassandra's Dream are worse, and panned films that I have yet to watch(re-watch in the cases of Shadows and Fog, September and Anything Else, all of which on first viewing didn't impress me) are likely to be even worse than them. 7/10 Bethany Cox

CW Briggs (Woody Allen) is a very talented insurance investigator, having worked for more than 20 years for a company headed by Chris Magruder (Dan Ackroyd). More often than not, he solves difficult cases, like the one of a stolen Picasso. BUT, he is most unhappy that Magruder has brought in a new employee, an efficiency expert, Betty Ann (Helen Hunt). That's because she is turning the place upside down, wrecking CW's unique filing system and giving out tit for tat in any disagreement. What CW doesn't not know, nor does anyone, is that the married Magruder and Betty Ann are having a secret "thing". One night, the entire company goes to celebrate a co-worker's birthday at a restaurant. A magician, Voltan (David Odgen Stiers) hypnotizes the two office enemies, CW and Betty Ann, into, briefly, thinking they are married and on their honeymoon. The key words to set them off are "Constantinople" for CW and "Madagascar" for BA. When Voltan snaps his fingers, the victims both come out, with no memories. Neither believes the story of what just happened to them. However, Holy Toledo! That night, Voltan phones CW and uses his magic word to order the investigator to break into one of their own clients' home and steal valuable jewels. CW is powerless to resist and has no idea of what he is doing, but completes the theft. Next day, the company is aghast and asks Briggs to seek the truth! Ho, ho! Going to the wealthy estate of the gems' owners, CW meets the gorgeous young daughter, Laura (Charlize Theron) and convinces her to step out with him. But, when they end up back at Briggs' place, where he gets another phone call from Voltan, Laura is astounded to be kicked out of bed before any action! Nevertheless, Briggs commits another hypnotic robbery. So, will CW be found out? Will Laura forgive him? Or, could Betty Ann possibly lose interest in Chris and cast her eyes on the man she loathes, Briggs, even as she receives a phone call from Voltan, too? This is no curse of a film at all, being hysterically funny, unless you have broken ribs. It is definitely one of Allen's best recent movies, with an arsenal of memorable lines. Also, Woody does a great acting turn, as does the rest of the very fine cast which includes, besides those mentioned above, Elizabeth Berkley and Wallace Shawn. Then, too, the zany plot is well-imagined and conceived while the film's look, a recreation of the 40's era, has great costumes, sets, and amenities. Kudos to Allen's great comedic direction as well. In short, even the most jaded soul is likely to laugh at this fine flick so grab it soon.

While I doubt anyone will read this, as I am the 154th reviewer, I am writing out of respect for this great film. I truly love this film and feel it is one of my favorites as is half of Woody's entire catalog. No one gives me greater joy than Woody Allen (as far as actors and directors go). This film is so awesome in every way, the soundtrack, the actors (helen hunt and dan abroad especially), the jokes, well, everything basically. I have watched this well over 50 times and I am not lying! That Woody was miscast is an absolute crime to even say. No one could have done it better. Every facial expression, muffed line and jokes that he says are to perfection. His boyish charm is so natural as is his acting. It is non acting actually because it transcends acting - it is him, his essence. Woody is the real thing my friends that is why he is so popular and so loved. I have even come to love his films that do not star himself because I finally realized that all the actors have become him in his films. He is the Beatles of comedy movies. Helen Hunt and he are excellent together! In this day and age there is no loyalty towards teams like in the 60s or 70s (just like sports nowadays). Tony Roberts and Woody were in my opinion one of the best teams and it is a shame that Helen Hunt couldn't team up more with Woody. It is so hard for me to watch Mia Farrow in his past movies now. I tend to just pass up all his Mia movies these days. She bores me to tears! If Woody would ever do a sequel this is the movie to have a part 2! Do not miss this one!