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Weirdly enough, this Mexican horror film works quite well, not because of its paranormal elements, which do feature some impressive effects, particularly toward the end, or its disappointingly unthreatening rabid dog.

Instead, the film’s true horror lies in its insufferable pair of kids, their incompetent mother, and the downright hateful array of secondary characters.

A fun disclaimer appears at the end of the credits, where Emilio Portes amusingly notes that people in real life are even more awful than those portrayed in the movie.

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Excellent comedy with a surprising emotional depth. Its captivating spiritual world is highly entertaining and enriched by an endearing group of ghosts (though some could have been more fleshed out as characters).

Its only downside is that the threat our main character is facing, represented by a rival group of ghosts and her own mortality (yes, mortality, even as a ghost), could have been explored more deeply to heighten the stakes.

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This low-budget post-apocalyptic film thrives on the enjoyable dynamic between its two leads, reminiscent of Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987). However, its true highlight is how it transforms fart humour from mere comic relief into a source of genuine concern and drama as the story progresses and we grow attached to the characters.

Nonetheless, its brevity and predictable twist undermine the film’s overall tension, leading to a rather standard conclusion. It makes you wonder whether a more episodic structure (where our protagonists face different challenges along the way) might have been more engaging.

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Its unpolished animation is well connected to its raw themes of humanity and existence. Unfortunately, the film as a whole does not live up to the high standards set in its opening sequences with both of the central characters.

The extremely crude and punchy beginning gradually loses its impact, giving way to an underdeveloped and overly simplified exploration of the suffering of the main characters and their relationships with those that surround them.

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It seems that the focus in the making of this Chinese film was solely on its action, which, with its highly videogame-like and animated feel, proves to be extremely entertaining.

Nevertheless, a film should pay attention to other elements, which, unfortunately, are largely overlooked here. There is no clear driving force behind its multiple, severely flawed plots, and it culminates in a cheesy moral conclusion, accompanied by repetitive and tiresome jokes.

Still, since everything serves as a technical exercise in the display of action and violence, the final result can still be regarded as decent.

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