88 Films brings the wildly unpredictable, effects-driven fantasy to disc
Anytime you put in a movie from Lam Nai-Choi, the director of Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, The Seventh Curse, The Cat, and Erotic Ghost Story, you know you’re in for a wild time.
The film’s prior availability was on a low quality DVD with poor definition and smeary movement. The brilliantly restored Blu-ray disc is a much-needed facelift for a wonderfully visually rich movie that has historically looked, to quote the modern vernacular, like ass.
Sage of the Phoenix follows the continuing adventures of two monks, Peacock (Yuen Biao) and Kujaku (Hiroshi Abe), who are Chinese and Japanese respectively. The pair are directed by the Abbot Jiku (Zatoichi himself, the legendary Shintaro Katsu) to keep an eye on Ashura (Gloria Yip), the Holy Maiden of Hell.
That might sound onerous but she’s actually a sweetie, a Hellboy-esque character who has denied her demonic origin and embraced humanity instead. Stifled by her prison-like confines, she is granted 7 days to explore the human world. But hell’s forces are desperate to reclaim her.
Saga of the Phoenix is the sequel to Peacock King (1988), also directed by Lam Nai-Choi, which introduced Ashura and the monks. The Hong Kongese films are based on a Japanese manga series, incorporating Chinese and pan-Asian elements into the narrative. Naturally being a sequel might make you wonder if you need to see Peacock King (which is not yet available on US Blu-ray) first. While it’s recommended, I wouldn’t consider it necessary. Yes, it does kind of jump right in with both feet, but then so did the first film. The characters were given the briefest of introductions before we’re off to the races.
Both Peacock King and Saga of the Phoenix are wildly original, spectacle-fueled tales that mix elements of science fiction, epic fantasy, wuxia, Eastern religion, absurd comedy, and a touch of horror, into a highly pleasing concoction of myths and monsters. It might be best described as Hong Kong’s answer to Ghostbusters.
Saga of the Phoenix goes for a slightly even more family-friendly vibe, introducing “Tricky Ghost” (or “Genie” as translated the on older DVD), a Grogu-like sidekick for Ashura. He’s a mischievous hell imp who serves primarily as comic relief. The critter is fun to watch, achieved through a combination of puppetry and stop-motion.
On that note, there’s a lot of cool visuals and creature and monster effects, notably featuring concepts and effects by the great Keita Amemiya (Zeiram, Garo, Mechanical Violater Hakaider). You can absolutely see his imprint on the film’s outstanding creature design.
One surprising aspect of the film is that Peacock (Biao), arguably the lead in the first film, is sidelined for a good part of the movie, captured by the baddies. It’s kind of a weird choice but makes sense as an in-plot means of honoring the original manga, in which Kujaku is the main character.
Special Features and Extras
- Audio Commentary by Frank Dejong and F. J. DeSanto
- Alternate Japanese Footage (11:58) – extended/deleted scenes from the Japanese cut of the film, which seems to me a better version. For the most part it’s more of Shintaru Katsu but there’s also some other additional scenes.
- Saga of Golden Harvest – The International Connection – an interview with Albert Lee discussing Golden Harvest’s international distribution
- Image Gallery (5:25)
- Original Trailer (3:38)
The Package / Unboxing
The Limited Edition release of Saga of the Phoenix is a quite elaborate deluxe edition, featuring a beautifully illustrated squarebound booklet, double-sided art card, reversible case art, rigid slipbox, and outer O-card (slipcover).
Outer Slip
Rigid Slipbox
Booklet
Art Card
Case (with Reversible Art)
A/V Out
Get it at Amazon – Saga of the Phoenix 88 Films Blu-ray
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