MERMAID (***)

(2016) Anything written and/or directed by Stephen Chow goes immediately onto my "must-see" list.  If you've seen Kung Fu Hustle you'll understand why; one of the funniest, move original and inventive comedy/martial arts films ever, that movie has a cult following bordering on the obsessive and brought Stephen Chow international attention and fame.  Chow's other films are hit and miss, like any director, but he never fails to entertain - and while the same is true for Mermaid, sadly the humor of the film - in a couple places a bit too silly and over-the-top, even for Chow - is heavily derailed in the last third of the movie when things turn dark and even violent, in what feels like Chow's personal message about humanity and what we're doing to the environment; admirable, but really heavy-handed in the context of this film.  The plot is simple: beautiful young mermaid Shan is sent to dry land by her clan, in disguise, to aid in assassinating the rich land developer responsible for potentially wiping out her species - but in between a few funny, bumbling attempts by her fellow "people" to kill him, Shan finds herself falling in love with the guy.  Original, some really nice and funny moments, and strong performances from the cast bring about that feel of a Stephen Chow film, all right - but again, the film takes too drastic a change in tone toward the end; one that makes things more off-putting than engaging.  (rated R)