All Film Reviews

The lack of a real plot combined with some extremely theatrical action often makes the film feel more like a set of fighter’s showreels rather than a proper movie.

The major problem with ‘Fighting For Love’ is the fact that the leading characters are so unsympathetic that the viewer cares little about their fight to be together.

‘Fighting Spirit’ has some energy and a surfeit of almost non-stop fights but is just a little too cheap, hokey, and grimy to recommend as silly fun.

While it may not be wholly original, ‘Final Justice’ is still a competent crime drama that has some top performances and a couple of above average action scenes.

Mak paces the narrative in a very delicate way, choosing to build the romance between his leads rather than just rely on ‘big scenes’ to do the work for him.

It’s good to see Hong Kong actor/composer Lowell Lo again, and Andy Lau is always charming. Nevertheless, ‘Find Your Voice’ is as subtle as a hammer to the kneecaps.

Taking a popular narrative and adding a unique sense of charm to it, Yuen Woo-Ping creates a strangely captivating atmosphere with a familiar cast.

While the narrative and tone get a little muddled and the pace dips here and there, ‘Fire of Conscience’ is still a good tough-as-nails cop thriller with some brutal action.

Sure everything in-between the violent clashes on the court is a little amateur but the point of the film is to showcase an original, if unlikely, martial arts sport and on those terms ‘Fireball’ delivers.

The main problem of the film is the lack of development for the romance; the actual feelings between the two lacks genuine heart and therefore undermines any chemistry.

‘First Option’ is definitely a high scorer on the cheese scale, but luckily it’s also loaded with some original action scenes that make it worth your while.

Vitally, ‘First Strike’ is still full of the energy and invention that leaves so many other action films pale in comparison.

At every turn, the film constantly subverts expectations, creating situations that initially seem all-too familiar before sending them in unexpected, often hilarious directions.

‘Fist From Shaolin’ really stands out with its powerful choreography which, even after numerous other fine new-wave productions, remains very impressive.

In all, this is the definitive martial arts movie. An all time classic which is as good as an all round film as it as a Kung Fu flick.

Although still quite a way off classic standards, ‘Fist Of Fury II’ just goes to show that it is possible to make a “Bruceploitation” flick that is fun to watch.

In my opinion, this is Jet Li’s best work as he carries the film well, performing brilliantly in the films numerous fight sequences.

While the film does deliver ample bouts of impressive fight action, the film gets a little bogged down in its own seriousness and slipshod back-and-forth timelines.

Although far from perfect, ‘Fist Of The North Star’ is still a relatively fun adaptation that tries its best to service both fans of the source and martial arts movies in general.

‘Fist Power’ is a very thin framework onto which a few interesting action scenes are hung and should not be treated as a classic of the genre.

The plot and characterisation are very weak but there’s enough about the fights to keep a kung fu fan watching till the end.

Undemanding fun that benefits from a likeable cast, a vibe that just wants to entertain, and lots of shiny fight action.

This is, in all honestly, a very bad film. However, if it were purely being judged on the action, then it would easily gain 3 stars.

With ‘Five Shaolin Masters’, there is a definite impression that the great director’s inspirational ideas of brotherhood and honour are somehow diluted.