MovieChat Forums > Geung see (2014) Discussion > The ending is not as illogical as some t...

The ending is not as illogical as some thought.

posted 10 years ago by lanlance
18 replies | jump to latest

Those who are familiar with the 80s Mr Vampire movies will fondly remember the lead actor here (Chin Siu-Ho) is playing a washed up version of himself. In his heydays, Chin was very popular as the main protagonist of the Mr Vampire movies.

He was often (or should I say always) cast as the suave elder disciple of the powerful Taoist Master, alongside a clumsy junior disciple. Although it was always his master who would save the day, Chin was always deemed as the heroic character (the nimble fighter that kicked vampire-asses, well-contrasted by his clumsy and comic junior) in the movies.

<SPOILERS BELOW>
The ending showed that in his imagination leading to his death, he couldn't let go of his past (evidently shown by his safekeeping of the costumes he used in the movies he acted in), thus creating the entire backdrop of supernatural beings and vampire. And of course in this world he created, he died as a vampire-killing hero and not as a loser who committed suicide.

The ending was a good way to loop back to the opening monologue where he mentioned something along the line of "People often said that stories in movies are absurd, however I feel that Life is even more absurd..." as the ending showed that Chin was very lost after he was past his prime and screwed up his family life and became estranged from his family (the son who came to the morgue is already a young adult and not a child as depicted in his memories).

I think Juno Mak intended to leave the ending open for different interpretations and the above is my personal one. Feel free to disagree but I feel it is quite logical.

[–] AltarsOfMadness 10 years ago

I agree with your interpretation, anyone else care to share their thoughts?

[–] lg8088 10 years ago

Totally agree with you, thanks for sharing!

[–] brainstew0 10 years ago

Thanks for clearing that up. I just finished watching it myself and I was lost beyond belief at the end. And I'm usually good with these types of movies that leave it open for interpretation lol. But what you said makes sense with what they showed at the end (everyone was actually still alive and he did indeed appear to have hanged himself).

[–] SuperKino 10 years ago

I agree with your theory, i found the movie concept in some way very similar to "An occurrence at owl creek bridge"

[–] xdisturbedx-1 10 years ago

Just watched it. I totally agree. Before his suicide he imagined that all up so he would be the hero he will be remembered as and died saving everyone.

[–] sam_dean1972 10 years ago

Just want to say that I am 100% in agreement with your analysis of the ending. it makes perfect sense. thanks!

'We only against the things we're guilty of'

[–] theunraveler 10 years ago

I disagree, he never met the Coroner (creepy occult guy) when he enter the apartment so why is he incorporated in his death fantasy? I think the reverse is true, that he died fighting the vampire and that as he was dying he wish that everything had happen was a fantasy

[–] jamasian_man 10 years ago

You're right with your theory. Perhaps after he finished off the vampire, his final moments were everyone else having be happy, when in reality they are all dead.

- The kid and mom is dead, but in his fantasy they can afford food and alive
- the taoist has his arm and is content with working as a cook
- the seamtress is still alive, mourning her husband but alive
- instead of his kid being dead with his mother, he cares enough to go idetify his father's body, which is a fantasy

Your theory is just as valid as the "everything is a dream" theory

[–] crownklown 10 years ago

Actually it could be everyone is dead, and that was the afterlife. After all the vampire hunter died as well, his cigarette drops, and he did say something like I should be friendly with these guys after all this is where I will end up. But a decent film either way.

[–] beisserchen 10 years ago

That's how I understood it that they were dead and in the afterlife, but then the last scene completely ruined this thought, when they find him hanging from the ceiling and his grown-up son comes to identify him. That's really puzzling me now.

[–] fun-niji 9 years ago

I prefer your theory because what the OP offered, which seems, currently, like the popular theory seems un-befitting and lackluster of a conclusion to end the series or commemorate the brilliant series of Mr. Vampire.

And I disagree about Chin Siu-ho (much as I like him) being viewed primarily as the hero. Whenever I watch the Mr. Vampires movies, it is usually Lam Ching-ying's character that I perceive as the hero because he is by far the wisest and most skilled person in the story. The interesting thing about the series is that there isn't an actual character that embodies the 'hero'. Not in the usual sense popularized in Western study of film.

To me, these films are like wonderful stage actors, acting in a confined designated place. But skillfully utilizing each prop and space available. And each character embody a series of types mischievously fused by a quirky sense of humour. Not one or two take center stage in the story, each is given enough screen time to let a bit of their personalities show.

It's very effective and fun to watch ^^

[–] BlackDog123 10 years ago

Wow - I would never have thought of it that way. I thought it had something to do with time travel, and was confused. Your explanation makes perfect sense - I'm going to improve my rating of this film.

Thank you!!

They're coming to get you, Barbara!