Confession: I did not go into "Mandao Returns", the spirited sequel to "Mandao of the Dead", having seen the original. But as the astral projection starts flying and Jay Mandao (or "Uncle Jay") and his partners in crime Cousin Andy (Sean Liang) and Jackson (Sean McBride) start zipping back and forth between the spirit world; I was instantly hooked.
The comedic rhythms and speed to which jokes fly off the walls at you, reminded me of The Coen Brothers when they're working in their "Raising Arizona" register. Scott Dunn as Jay makes an excellent lead, and his double-triple-duty as writer, director, actor, editor, and I believe sound mixer as well, is equally impressive.
The movie has an infectious energy, of what I would call sophisticated wackiness. As far out there as the plot goes (and it goes far) Dunn never loses control of the ship and all the performers are in top-form, with a winning performance by Gina Gomez-Dunn as Fer.
The chemistry of these characters is all you will need heading into this astral plain, but there's a lot more surprises waiting for you too.
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