Country: Hong Kong

‘The Lady Assassin’ is very good, but there is the nagging feeling that this could have been even better with a little discernment.

‘The Lady Hermit’ still manages to stand up well decades on as an extremely entertaining, if not extremely gory, example of the Shaw Brothers armed combat films in their prime.

Often unfairly nudged aside when the career of kung-fu auteur Liu Chia-Liang is considered, ‘The Lady is the Boss’ is a fun action comedy that came near the end of the Shaw Brothers’ hegemony in Hong Kong.

‘The Last Blood’ may not be the cream of the crop, but it is still an incredibly fun action flick. Just be prepared for a sprinkling of Wong Jing silliness along the way.

It doesn’t always draw the viewer in the way that might be expected, yet it eventually develops into an intriguing drama where a fusion of exceptional acting and thoughtful direction ensure its success.

Even a lesser Michael Hui film is worth watching and there are still enough comic moments to keep most viewers happy.

‘The Legend Is Born: Ip Man’ does not try to outdo the spectacle of its more lavish inspiration, though Herman Yau does try to give the viewers the ample Wing Chun action they crave.

‘The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires’ doesn’t exactly set the world alight in either of its attempted genres, but it does remain a fun curio for fans of both studios that certainly still sports some old-school charm.

‘The Legend Of The Owl’ is a positively insane, yet gloriously inventive production that boasts more hits than misses.

‘Legend Of Wisely’ is a cheery action/comedy that is quite satisfying despite the clear weaknesses that undermine it.

It has its faults and no-one could call it the greatest movie ever made. Importantly though, this is a fabulous example of how a combination of technology and innovation can still wow the jaded viewer.

Although there’s the odd hole or inconsistency, the production mostly runs at a sustained pace that draws the viewer along with it.