It's the annual highlight for movie-goers. At the beginning of December, several blockbusters arrived on the big screen.

If you are seeking sentimental romance, Perhaps Love featuring Taiwanese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro would be a good choice. If you love movies with big scenes, go to The Promise by director Chen Kaige.

However, if you want to have a good laugh, don't miss A Chinese Tall Story by famous Hong Kong director Jeff Lau.

Lau is the genius behind a series of creative productions adapted from the classic, Journey to the West.

In the 1980s, Lau worked with Stephen Chow and started the "mo lei tau" culture in Hong Kong.

His most outstanding works include: Ashes of Time, A Chinese Odyssey: A Pandora's Box and A Chinese Odyssey: Cinderella.

This time Lau has uncovered a new creative story for the classic novel.

A Chinese Tall Story has a production budget of HK$100 million. Some of the scenes are shot in Shennongjia, a national reserve in Hubei Province.

In the movie, Tang Monk Tripitaka (Nicholas Tse) and his three disciples- Monkey King, Pig Monk and Sand Monk arrive in a city called Shache.

During their stay, the three disciples are captured by the evil Tree Spirits. Tripitaka is trying to save them when he meets an ugly-looking imp Meiyan (Charlene Choi), with dirty hair and teeth from a dentist's nightmare.

Meiyan falls in love with Tripitaka so she sets a love trap. Tripitaka carelessly falls into the trap and breaks Heaven's rules.

Then Princess Xiaoshan (Fan BingBing) and her army arrive from another planet. She meets Tripitaka in Shache city and says she will help him rescue his disciples. Tripitaka decides to leave with the princess.

Meiyan is heartbroken. She picks a fight with Princess Xiaoshan. Although she loses, she finally finds herself to be a galactic warrior. At last, she helps the Princess in defeating the monsters and rescues Tripitaka and his disciples.

However, will Meiyan and Tripitaka be punished by the Temple of Heaven? You have to wait until December 22 when the movie comes out.

(21st Century December 19, 2005)