Genre: Drama

Joseph Kuo can be credited with providing the genre with much to savour, but ‘World Of Drunken Master’ is a very routine kung fu comedy.

‘Wrath of Silence’ builds up well after a slow start and, while not quite bringing the viewer to the edge of their seat, evolves into a more than decent mixture of arthouse aesthetics and nuts-and-bolts action.

As the film unfolds the perspective gets murky and Wai Ka-Fai’s juggling of the various elements comes into question.

With some excellent, grounded choreography and a number of allusions to genre legends this is a mature martial arts film that respects its roots.

For the most part, ‘Yadang: The Snitch’ is a refreshing spin on the gangster/drug/corruption narrative that often soars thanks to its sheer force of momentum and electric lead performance.

Despite some excellent action with Chiba on top form, it’s the unintentionally comical moments and camp overall feeling that win out.

While it may still be an adequate time filler, ‘Yakuza Deka: The Assassin’ is really nothing more than a carbon copy of the first film.

‘Yakuza Hunters: The Revenge Duel In Hell’ is quite a different animal to the first movie, so much so that fans of the original’s campy goodness may well be somewhat disappointed.

If you’ve been entertained by any of the other recent blood-soaked outings to emerge from the territory, then this is probably another movie you’ll want to add to your watchlist.

Fierce Yakuza action from the man Sonny Chiba, ‘Yakuza Wolf’ has lost none of its power as it dishes up a hard-hitting dose of violent action and in-your-face exploitation.

Cool, swift, and breezy, ‘Yakuza Wolf 2’ may be different in tone and style to the first film, and nowhere near as satisfying, but is still some fun gangster action with Chiba at the top of his game.

The lead characters are completely uninvolving and most of the actors make no attempt to fight against the lacklustre writing.