All Film Reviews

Donnie Yen takes on a role similar to the one he played in ‘Drunken Tai Chi’ and once again shows how effortless it is for him to combine incredible physical aptitude with a pleasing screen persona.

Despite going the exploitative route and therefore diluting some of the mystery, the film still grips thanks to the ever present sense of something horrible about to happen and a cast who give it their all.

‘Mission Milano’ is exactly what you would expect from Jing; a paper thin plot, overdone action sequences and low-brow humour.

‘Mission: Impossible II’ certainly offers the world a clear glimpse of what Woo is capable of when it comes to action, but it also lacks his usual quota of emotional drama and camaraderie.

The new material alone isn’t really worth the time investment, and there are far too many missing elements for newcomers to make this their jumping-off point.

Though it’s not in the same league as the Michael Hui hits it tries to emulate, ‘Money Crazy’ is still reasonably entertaining and certainly better than Woo’s other ventures into the genre.

This is a film that begins with optimism only to quickly revert to the old formula that had been so over-used.

The bottom line is that ‘Monkey Kung Fu’ is a highly recommended gem with a cast that doesn’t feature the genres big names, but still outshines many better known films.

‘Monster’ has a few elements that could make for a decent thriller, but the overall picture is sadly spoiled by a number of idiotic characters making even more idiotic decisions.

Good looking, slickly made, period-set monster action, ‘Monstrum’ lives up to its title, concept and cover art and delivers some rollicking giant creature action.

It may not be to everyone’s taste but ‘Moon And Cherry’ is a little heard of gem, which features excellent performances and a mature view on some serious and saucy subject matter.

Instead of just relying on popular new-wave gimmicks, Sammo pushes each of the actors to their limit and, even though there is liberal use of stunt doubles, the effect is impressive to behold.

While it is undoubtedly still flawed, ‘Mortal Kombat’ remains one of the most admirable big screen video game adaptations and a competent American Martial Arts movie.

Bookended by two outstanding train-based action sequences, ‘Moscow Mission’ starts with a bang before settling into a more standard, yet still entertaining, police procedural.

A beautifully and intricately crafted film that is given an emotional heart thanks to Kim Hye-ja and while it has lots more to say than just simply thrill, is still also an often gripping thriller.

While it may lack the tension of some of the other Kaiju films, ‘Mothra’ makes for a very refreshing entry into the genre that provides more of a sense of fun than ferocity.

It has a slight campy nature but has the message of the earlier films along with their high technical values and cinematography.

‘Motorway’ is a stripped down action thriller that dispenses with such luxuries as sub-plots to concentrate fully on the battle between cops and robbers.

Don Wilson is his usual likable self, gets to kick loads of butt and there’s something odd and unique about seeing him run around Ireland kicking lots of ass.

‘Mr & Mrs Single’ still retains a certain freshness that is surprising considering how well-worn the themes are.

Although there is a great deal of potential within the casting, ‘Mr.Boo Meets Pom Pom’ is certainly the weakest of the Pom Pom quartet.

If the more ambitious nature of the production can be ignored and the awkward jingoism put to one side, ‘Mr. Cinema’ can be enjoyed as a well-performed, sometimes captivating film.

Thrown together rather than constructed, this is a production where the director has little idea how to generate organic laughs from situations and must therefore shoe-horn them in.

The action and the winning persona of the lead are reasons to give this four stars, but the obvious deficiencies means it’s only a three.