All Film Reviews

This highly acclaimed romantic drama proves once again that Hong Kong cinema can be very subtle and is far more varied than some would have the public believe.

‘An Empress And The Warriors’ is enticing enough to divert the attention, but without anything substantial within the duration it is quickly forgotten.

Everything is so over-the-top and forced while desperately trying to drag all of those ensemble hits of yesteryear kicking and screaming into the 21st century. The result is a bizarre mix.

‘And I Hate You So’ could and should have been much better; instead the viewer is left with a good film that simply didn’t realise its full potential.

Perhaps some fans may have fun trying to spot the obvious influences, but beyond that it’s hard to see why it would be worthy of your time.

While it is far from being a bad film, ‘Angry Ranger’ is just too average and uninspiring to be worthy of all the acclaim it has garnered.

A visually splendid hybrid of family drama, survival story and environmental clarion call, ‘Anima’ is a haunting feature that certainly leaves an impression.

It’s doubtful whether even non-action audiences will be fully satisfied by this entertaining, but insubstantial production

Director Yee Chung-Man combines the conventions of commercial film-making with the subtlety of art-house cinema, but never loses the main heart of the film.

The story is nothing new or revolutionary and takes just a little too long to get where it is going. Still, the film is made with skill and the comedy often hits home just as much as the fights do.

The horror sequences are mandatory to the plot, but they have been stripped back and diffused of much of their sting, in favour of concentrating on the police procedural aspect and mystery behind the four friends’ criminal bond.

The limited plot makes it impossible to get involved with any of the characters and the sheer volume of fight scenes quickly forces them to become tiresome.

The lack of urgency and often confusing nature of the plot means ‘Armageddon’ is never as engaging or exciting as it could have been.

The last twenty minutes alone are worth anyone’s money, as you will undoubtedly rewind in order to be repeatedly amazed by one of the greatest physical performers of any generation.

For anyone new to Jackie Chan, ‘Armour Of God II: Operation Condor’ is a must-see film that shows how incredible the Hong Kong superstar was in his prime.

An easy recommendation as it’s still a fun-filled family adventure that is suitably heart-warming and easy on the eye.

Director Lee Jeong-hyang manages to generate enough of an ambience to make ‘Art Museum By The Zoo’ a more than pleasant diversion.

A tapestry of emotion, audaciously flashing backwards and forwards and shifting voice-overs to piece together the moments that have led the characters to the barren wastes of the desert.

Not quite as bad as the above descriptions might make it sound but far too barmy, slapdash and low rent to be fully successful with its intentions.

Even though Oshii has an impressive eye for visuals, he really needs to invest more time into the overall package as this is sadly lacking in depth.

A personal story told on a grand scale ‘Assembly’ is as good as war flicks get, finding a near perfect balance between a personal journey and large scale combat.

Well worth giving your time to, as long as you’re prepared for things to go out on a whimper rather than a bang.

Social realist cinema can be the most edifying and informative genre the medium can offer, but Ho Yu-Hang’s style is such that the only sensation to get from the screen is mild hyperthermia.

Some may dismiss this merely as ‘The Matrix’ with opera. Others will agree it is an example of science fiction using its brain as well as its trigger finger.