Country: Hong Kong

The term ‘low-key’ was perhaps invented for this enjoyable and slightly off-beat comedy/thriller.

If you’re in the mood for a crazy adventure filled with amusing characters and extraordinary ideas, then you can’t go far wrong with any of the films in this quartet.

By the time the end credits start to run, there is the definite feeling that strong potential has been wasted.

Unfortunately for the prospective viewer, the film never reaches beyond the interest of the synopsis and ends a somewhat dull piece entertainment.

Although dated, ‘The Chinese Boxer’ is historically fascinating and provides an interesting point of reference to the many films that would follow.

It’s no surprise that this Tsui Hark comedy was a box-office smash as it allows the viewer to enjoy superior character interaction and sharp comic routines.

The result is every bit as wonderful and awful as it sounds, a quite dizzying display of opportunism and ineptitude that has to be seen to be believed. Essential.

Despite Jing’s attempts to prove otherwise, ‘The Conman’ is really little more than a second rate attempt at remaking ‘God of Gamblers’.

With ‘The Conmen In Vegas’, Wong Jing takes the best approach that we could have hoped for – one in which he has little aspiration to achieve heights that we all know he isn’t capable of.

Thankfully this low-budget Hong Kong drama has enough going for it to sidestep its lazier moments.

The Hui brothers combine efforts to create another outstanding piece of canto-comedy that mixes clever satire of the entertainment industry and slapstick comedy.

‘The Convict Killer’ is held together by the confidence of the man behind the lens and the excellent cast gathered together.