Plot Summary: A playboy business tycoon, Liu Xuan, purchases the Green Gulf, a coastal wildlife reserve, for a land reclamation project. His new technology severely damages the local environment, threatening the livelihood of the merpeople who live there. The merfolk colony sends Shan, a beautiful young mermaid disguised as a human, to assassinate Liu Xuan. Instead, the two fall in love, leading to conflict between the merpeople and humans.
Director: Stephen Chow
Writers: Stephen Chow, Kelvin Lee, Andrew Fung, Ho Miu-kei, Chan Hing-kai, Lu Zhengyu, Ivy Kong, Tsang Kan-cheong
Based on: The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen
Producers: Stephen Chow, Jiang Ping, Ivy Kong
Cinematography: Choi Sung-fai
Editors: Cheung Ka-fai, Cheng Man-to
Music: Raymond Wong, Huang Fuhua, Wendy Zhang
Starring:
Deng Chao as Liu Xuan
Lin Yun as Shan
Show Lo as Octopus
Yuqi Zhang as Li Ruolan
Chao Deng as Liu Xuan
Zhengyu Lu as Security Chief
Pierre Bourdaud as George
Hark Tsui as Uncle Rich
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⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️
An Absurdly Fishy Start
Keeping up with my exploration of movies by the legendary Stephen Chow, today I'm tackling his 2016 environmental fairytale comedy, "The Mermaid." This flick won a bunch of awards and was, at the time, the highest-grossing film ever in China. So, what did I think? Well, let me start with the theme song that drills its way into your brain throughout the movie. I absolutely love this song and its lyrics, which intrigued me so much that I did some extensive research on it. You can find that research which includes exclusive English information, below the ratings section. It turns out, it's a cover of a super popular song from 1983, and one of the backup singers is Stephen Chow himself, along with veteran actor Adam Cheng and pop diva Karen Mok. It's a total earworm. The movie's opening immediately sets the absurd tone with a group of people getting scammed on the most ridiculous museum tour you could imagine. One thing that's hilarious in this scene is just how the characters express themselves, they make the funniest damn sounds.
Watch the clip below where the tourists finally have enough and the "museum" owner is forced to show them a "real" mermaid.
When Cringe Meets Charisma
I'll be honest, the slapstick comedy is a little over the top sometimes, and a bit cringe, especially with Shan, the mermaid herself, played by Lin Yun. But the truly great comedy moments definitely make up for it. Fun fact about her casting: the search for the role was a massive media event. Apparently, the then 18-year-old Lin Yun was picked from over 120,000 people in a talent contest because of her calm personality. While other girls were desperately trying to steal the spotlight, she was just cool and collected, which caught Chow's eye. For me, though, it was easier to sympathize with the playboy property tycoon Liu Xuan, played by Deng Chao. I think Deng Chao is a very charismatic actor, and one of the most enjoyable moments in the movie is when he just keeps trying to throw money at Shan while she repeatedly refuses. The comedic timing on these scenes is perfect. Of course, the other key moments come from Octopus, played by Show Lo (Prince Important from Journey to the West). The way he walks, how that old mermaid lady hates his guts, and especially the scene where he ends up cooking himself are all hysterical. There's also a great moment of tension and comedy when our cute mermaid Shan is being screened by Liu Xuan's security team. For a short guy, Zhengyu Lu looks pretty menacing, right?
You can watch that tense security screening in the clip below.
The Punchline and The Point (Or Lack Thereof)
I was also very captivated by the villain, Li Ruolan, played by the beautiful and sexy Yuqi Zhang. I love how her main henchman, George—the meanest b****** in the movie who just wants to kill and dissect the merpeople—is an American. A very fitting choice. This is probably why the movie only got a limited release in about 100 theaters in the US. You suck, USA. All that said, I do recommend this movie to anyone with a good sense of humor; there wasn't a single minute where I felt bored. The old-fashioned romance was very nice, and the heroic ending fits its fairytale inspiration perfectly. The message about how we are f***ing up our planet is also nice, I guess, but I don't think it's very impactful in such a silly movie. I'm just not seeing anyone getting mobilized to save the oceans because of their love for mermaids... but what do I know? I want to end by highlighting my absolute favorite, truly hysterical moment, where I completely lost control of my laughter. It was around 1 a.m., so I had to hold it in, but that police station scene... that half-person, half-fish sketch left me in tears!
What's the most ridiculous thing a movie character has ever tried to describe to the police? Watch the clip below and see if you can keep a straight face!
The Iconic Theme Song: A Cultural Phenomenon
If you've watched The Mermaid, you've probably had the catchy theme song stuck in your head. What you might not know is that this song has a fascinating history that spans decades in Chinese pop culture. Here's my deep dive into this cultural gem:
Song Quick Facts
- Original Title: 世間始終你好 (Sai Gaan Chi Jung Nei Ho)
- English Translation: "In the World, You Are Still the Best"
- Original Release: 1983
- Original Singers: Roman Tam & Jenny Tseng
- The Mermaid Version: Adam Cheng, Karen Mok & Stephen Chow (2016)
The Creative Legends
- Composer: Joseph Koo (顧嘉煇) - "Godfather of Hong Kong Pop"
- Lyricist: James Wong (黃霑) - PhD in sociology & master lyricist
- Known As: The legendary "Fai-Wong" partnership
The Wuxia Connection
This isn't just any song - it was the theme for the epic final part of the 1983 TV adaptation of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" (射鵰英雄傳), one of the most beloved martial arts series ever made. The song perfectly captured the heroic spirit of Chinese martial arts fiction while exploring the philosophy that true love is more valuable than martial supremacy.
What Makes This Song Special?
1 East-Meets-West Sound
Blends Western orchestration with traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng (古筝) and dizi (笛子), creating a majestic yet culturally specific sound.
2 Vocal Dialogue
Uses a unique "question-and-answer" duet format that mirrors the relationship between the story's protagonists, creating a dramatic musical conversation.
3 Philosophical Depth
The lyrics beautifully contrast worldly achievement ("Is this mountain the highest?") with the certainty of true love ("In my heart, in this world, you are still the best").
4 Cultural Legacy
Won multiple awards and became a "collective memory" for a generation of Chinese audiences, often performed by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to this day.
The Stephen Chow Connection
Stephen Chow's use of this song in The Mermaid was a masterful cultural reference packed with meaning:
- Full-Circle Moment: As a young unknown actor, Chow had a small, uncredited role in the original 1983 TV series!
- Nostalgic Marketing: Using this beloved classic instantly tapped into the collective memory of generations of Hong Kong entertainment fans
- Star Power: The new version featured:
- Adam Cheng - wuxia legend whose vocal style is compared to Roman Tam
- Karen Mok - Chow's frequent collaborator and rumored past romantic interest
- Stephen Chow himself providing backing vocals
Key Lyrics Translation
Male: "I ask the world, is this mountain the highest? Or is there another place higher than the sky?"
Female: "In this world, there will naturally be a mountain higher than this one."
Female: "But when it comes to a loving heart, I cannot find one better than yours."
Together: "In my heart, in this world, you are still the best."
This simple yet profound message is why the song continues to resonate across generations.
Listen to the Song
Here's the version of "In the World, You Are Still the Best" used in The Mermaid (2016)
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🎬 You Might Also Enjoy:
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Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013)
Another Stephen Chow comedy that blends genres and features Show Lo in a memorable role
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Forbidden City Cop (1996)
Classic Stephen Chow comedy showcasing his signature over-the-top style and physical humor
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Le Grand Bleu (1988)
Luc Besson's visually stunning oceanic masterpiece about free-diving that connects with the underwater themes
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