Directed by Francise Ng and Marco Mak Tracing Shadows is a Kung Fu comedy starring Francis Ng, Jaycee Chan, Dang Hao Han, Pace Wu and Xie Na.

The movie is set during the Ming Dynasty and tells the story of the search for an ancient mystic map, which legends believe to lead the way to untold riches and treasures.

It is this very map which leads female ninja assassin, Mingyue Xin (played by Pace Wu) and Master Chang-gong (Francis Ng) to cross paths. Xin quickly uses and seduces Chang to protect her as she searches for the map.

Xin after overhearing a conversation between three future adversaries soon works out the location of the map and is quickly on the maps trail, as too are the adversaries and a brilliantly put together short roof chase is soon underway.

Soon after the four of them battle for ownership of the map, Xin outnumbered calls on Chang for help but Chang refuses to initially help her, instead choosing to watch idly by as the four draw their weapons for deadly combat. It is not until Xin’s in trouble that Chang finally comes to her rescue. He quickly dispatches of the foes at the same time he also vanishes the map (which he believes to bring nothing but trouble).

The map inadvertently ends up in the hands of a wise man who upon seeing the map is inspires to rebuild a broken down temple into a new town (Side road Town), the map is also then passed down to his son Lord Xiu (Jaycee Chan).

Very little about the films story is truly coherent, instead the films plot is little more than a series of events loosely linked together by this very treasure map and used to provide many of the films laughs.

It is once the story moves to Sideroad Town that we are finally introduced to the other lead characters in the movie. Lord Xu(Jaycee Chan), The Mayor of Sideroad Town (Dang Hao Han) and the sometimes loud , sometimes annoying Xiaowei (Xie Na). Xiaowei plays a orphan girl adopted by Xin and Chang who now live together and own a restaurant in Sideroad Town. A restaurant which contains a menu full of dozens of wonderful sounding meals yet only serves two meals , both of which happen to not be on the menu!   Xiaowei explains to some curious customers

“Don’t Confuse what’s on the menu with the dishes we actually serve!”

That clears that up I guess!

It is also at Sideroad Town where we are once again introduced to Xins three adversaries from earlier on in the movie, all of whom are dead ringers for some pretty famous Asian actors and also happen to share similar names. The one who sings (I’ll not give away any names…) happens to have the most entertaining introduction of the lot.

Despite being a ‘Kung Fu Comedy’, unlike ‘Kung fu Hustle’ for example, aside from the first 15mins or so and the last act there is actually very little in the way of ‘real’ action. Instead what takes place is mostly situational comedy, followed by someone being chased, followed by more gags, and followed by more chasing.

The lack of action is actually not a bad thing. As the side story of Lord Xu’s infatuation with Xiaowei and the Mayors undying love for Xin, keeps the entertainment ticking along nicely.

I came into this movie just expecting a weak comedy with a few lousy special effects and action sequences thrown in for good measure, but what I got was a thoroughly enjoyable comedy with some outstanding visual effects and action set pieces thrown in.

The roof running in particular is expertly put together. I think Xiaowei says it best when questioned about her skills by Lord Xu.

“I know no martial arts, only the basic roof running and flying skills”

The Mayor, Lord Xu and Xiaowei are undeniably the stars of the show.

The Mayor in particular  provides the majority of the movies laughs and stand out moments, as well as being the catalyst for the hoards of tribes and even Manchurians gathering to Sideroad town in search of the treasure map.

It was great to watch the relationship between Xiaowei and Xu develop throughout the movie and the interplay between the two certainly did provide some laughs along the way.

Standout scenes during the film had to be the brilliant (although at times ropey special effects) puzzle game during the final search for the map, and also the Mayors crazy tough guy uniform and persona in order to improve Xin.

If you are looking for a fun way to spend 80 minutes (yes the movie is pretty short – any longer and it really would have seemed stretched – 80 minutes was just about right in my opinion), then you can do little wrong in buying/renting Tracing Shadows.

A thoroughly enjoyable movie and one with a message too! How searching for ones treasure (riches) can sometimes blind you from what is really important in life. Although the message is lost through the diluted plot, the movie does still many manage to bring a smile or two to your face, as well as getting to watch the eye candy that is Pace Wu in action!

[Rating:3.5/5]

Note: Movie-Exclusive are currently doing special deals on Tracing Shadows so grab it whilst you can! (Region 3)

Trailer