THE MERMAID
Farcical finned fun
released OUT NOW! 2016 | 15 | Blu-ray (HMV exclusive/ download Director stephen Chow Cast Yun lin, Chao deng, show luo, Yuqi Zhang
The Mermaid is the highest-grossing movie in Chinese history, was directed by Chinese acting legend Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer) and has a pertinent environmental theme. But you deserve a medal if you get past the first ten minutes, which make you wonder how on earth it made so much money.
And yet... once you do, you might find that your brain has reached a level of sludgy, stoner, sub-Austin Powers mirth that makes you enjoy the rest. You might even laugh. There’s a chance you might even laugh out loud. Somehow, giggles are there amidst the dross, and they just about save the film.
It centres on a mermaid – Shan (Yun Lin) – who embarks upon a mission to save her people from the sonar devices being used by billionaire Liu (Chao Deng) to clear a dolphin sanctuary for reclamation. Shuffling around on land hoping to kill him, she ends up falling in love – and so does he...
Occasionally gory, always bonkers, this is so bad it’s almost a must-see.
Extras “The Making Of The Mermaid” (13 minutes) is surprisingly candid and funny. There’s also a pointless spoof music video and a tiny behindthe-scenes piece.
Most of the film was shot in a heated tank, but not all: while filming in the sea Yun Lin was so cold that she cried!