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Customer Reviews of The Curse of the Jade Scorpion

The Scorpion has a wicked sting.............
Woody Allen's "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" is a disappointment there is no doubt. But a disappointing Woody Allen film is still leagues ahead of most of what is being released lately. The premise sounds promising: CW Briggs (Woody Allen)is an insurance investigator, working for Chris Magruder (Dan Ackroyd)who has brought in an efficiency expert Betty Ann Fitzgerald (Helen Hunt) to improve the operation of the office. Betty Ann and CW take an instant dislike of each other. Charlize Theron plays a "femme fatale," Laura Kensington, whom CW meets on a case. One of the funniest bits in the movie is CW's "seduction" of Laura...first rate Allen. But most of the dialogue misses and the sub plot with Voltan (David Ogden Stiers), a magician-hipnotist is only mildly amusing. Despite all of this, if the performances are charming, well-written script or not, we often leave the theater with a smile on our face. Unfortunately this is not the case with "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion." Allen's performance, his usual nebbish role comes off only somewhat amusing and Hunt mostly looks strained and stressed and her lighting is uncomplimentary. Did anyone look at the rushes? Compare her here with her radiant performance in "What Women Want" or even "Pay it Forward" and you can see what I am talking about. She's simply poorly directed here and when she is well directed she literally glows. Charlize Theron, in a small role, comes off best I think. She looks great and she delivers her lines with the appropriate Mae West/Veronica Lake allure. Woody Allen is without a doubt a great filmmaker responsible for some of finest movies of the last 30 years: "Hannah and her Sisters," "Annie Hall," "Manhatten," "Bananas," "Crimes and Misdemeanors," "Love and Death." "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" is not one of them.

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A GOOD ONE
I never really was much of a Woody Allen fan, at least until I seen this movie. And I can't tell you if there have been any more scenes added on in the dvd version. I don't know. What I do know is this is a terrific film. It's a comedy, and a darn good one. Unlike a lot of today's comedy movies where the writers feel they must include tons of curse words, sex, and loads of yelling just to try and make the picture more appealing, this one has perfect dialologue that is both witty and inventive. This is a movie you can watch and get a good laugh, without wearing you out. It has action, but in a perfectly timed way. And I don't care if whether or not the movie grossed monkey one, It's good. It's the story of an insurance investigator (played by Allen) who, along with one of his associates (helen hunt) are hypnotized at a club as part of the evening enterainment. Only thing is, the magician has more sinister motives for their hypnotism. What are they? As usual, I'm not going to tell you. What I will say is that when certain words are said over a late night telephone call, Allen becomes a different person, and seeks to carry out the bidding of his "Master". This is by far one of the best movies I have seen in quite a while. I seen it on a premium channel today, and today I am ordered it from Amazon. I want to see this movie again, and again, and again. The one thing I did not like about this movie was the banjo playing during the "action" scenes, but since this was this was set in the 1940's, it really wouldn't feel right to have electric guitars played by AC/DC to set the mood. Besides, I don't think electric guitars were around at that time either???

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A Somewhat Cursed Comedy
A by-the-numbers Woody Allen movie, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" is another example of the more recent (and uneven) efforts created by the director. Essentially sitcom material, the movie`s plot has some nice ideas and funny moments, yet it`s way too light and linear to deliver an above average cinematic experience. The acting (Helen Hunt and Charlizer Theros are the Allen girls this time) is good, the dialogue sharp and witty as always (although a bit forced at times), and the photography is very competent as well. Add an interesting NY in the forties and you`ve got a decent entertainment that`s worth watching once, still it`s far from a remarkable achievement.

Mildly Recommended.