Reign of Assassins (2010)

An impressive Wuxia movie that borrows heavily from Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) but pleasingly tips its hat even more to the successful genre stylings of the 1980-90s. Likewise, alas, that same era's uneven pacing and hurried scripting also feature. The result is a work that's both graceful and frantic, although not always at the same time.
At the centre of the conflict is the mummified corpse of a Buddhist monk, an unusual treasure that a small group of assassins desperately seek. The aggressors' martial arts skills are given a thorough workout. The combat scenes are of a high standard, but the emotional side is no slouch either, with a deep soulful love and an earthy, tender love each playing a part.

3½ secret skills out of 5