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Å]¤Û¼p©Ð (2004)
Magic Kitchen


Reviewed by: j.crawford
Date: 07/07/2005
Summary: a romantic comedy that delivers on romance and comedy

A Hong Kong romantic comedy that delivers on romance and comedy is driven by an outstanding performance by Sammi Cheng. This film has a nice story told through excellent screenplay, mounted with high production values and fine performances from supporting players (and a bunch of cool cameo roles by big Hong Kong movie stars). If you like Sammi and Andy Lau, then this film is definitely for you. If you think you're going to see some sort of God of Cookery redux, stay away.

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: Sydneyguy
Date: 04/25/2005
Summary: A bit of everybody in this movie

This movie is almost feels like it was a day time soap opera. Focusing upon relationships, the movie just plods along with nothing much happening.

The only thing i liked about the movie was a amount of cameo's there was.

Apart from this, there is nothing new here and nothing really to recommend. There romance takes ages to develop and by then, you couldnt care!!

5.5/10


Reviewed by: magic-8
Date: 07/30/2004
Summary: What, No Food?

“Magic Kitchen,” written and directed by Lee Chi-Ngai, is another movie to come down the tired romantic-comedy path. The movie sets up the conventional romantic triangle of Sammi Cheng, And Lau and Jerry Yan, but takes some interesting turns with the relationships. Sammi plays a cook who is asked to participate in the “King Chef” cooking show (a take on the hit show “Iron Chef,” from Japan). She takes the entire movie to decide if it’s the right thing for her to do. In between is the rise and fall of relationships of friends, lovers and unconsummated love.

While “Magic Kitchen” is diverting, it also has problems. Surprisingly, the food concept is just a prop device, since there is no food on display. You also never get a sense that Sammi can cook at all. The dubbing for Jerry Yan and Maggie Q was very distracting and took away from their performances. Why Maggie was cast over a native speaker is quizzical. Like Maggie, Jerry Yan was just plain bland. He may be eye candy for the ladies but a piece of wood in the acting department.

“Magic Kitchen” is for forgiving fans of Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau. For a movie that centers on a chef, but doesn’t highlight any food or cooking, is a disappointment.