Today’s quick review: The Great Magician. Cheung Yin (Tony Leung), a skilled magician, returns from years abroad to win back his one-time fiance, Liu Yin (Zhou Xun), from her hated husband, General Bully Lei (Lau Ching-wan). Cheung delights Lei with his magic and becomes his close confidant in order to approach Liu. But a complex political situation between the general, his fellow warlords, and the deposed emperor threatens to undo Cheung’s scheme.
The Great Magician is a Chinese comedy with elements of drama, action, and romance. The story concerns a love triangle involving a clever magician, a dimwitted general, and a strong-willed woman, set during a period of political turmoil in China. The Great Magician offers a little bit of everything, but nothing in excess. Interwoven plot threads, subtle characterization, and magic tricks both practical and inexplicable make it an interesting watch.
The Great Magician takes a basic premise and spins it into something unique with the help of its well-drawn characters. Cheung Yin is a charismatic magician with a surefire plan, only to run up against unforeseen complications, including Liu’s resentment over being abandoned. Bully Lei is a foolish but powerful warlord with a hidden soft spot. Their evolving relationship, plus Liu’s disapproval of both men, takes the story in unexpected directions.
The plot is similarly hard to predict. The main plot thread concerns Cheung’s romantic endeavors, but he’s also deeply involved in the political situation, plotting with and against Bully Lei as part of his schemes. Imperial loyalists, rival warlords, and a magic trick to end them all, known only to Liu’s missing father, give the story all the variety it needs. For all that the story lacks focus, nearly everything ties together by the end.
Watch The Great Magician if you’re interested in a eclectic comedy that skews light in spite of a few dramatic scenes. No single aspect of the movie stands out; indeed, there are wittier comedies, sharper political dramas, and cleverer magic movies out there. But its likable characters, elaborate plot, and magic tricks are just enough to make it an entertaining watch for the right viewer. Steer clear if you’re looking for something superlative.
For a romantic drama with a remarkably similar initial premise, try The Illusionist. For a convoluted mystery about a magical rivalry, try The Prestige. For a light, modern heist movie that makes similar use of magic, try Now You See Me.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a pleasant patchwork of elements.