House of Fury (2005)

A martial arts movie set in the modern era, starring Anthony Wong Chau-Sang as a widowed chiropractor who embarrasses his YA kids by telling their friends stories of kung fu bravado, secret agent nonsense and CGI ninjas. The siblings don't appreciate their father, until one day a stranger who believes the stories (Michael Wong) arrives, seeking answers from the tale-teller.
It has some talented people involved, but the plotting is predictable; the father's struggle to relate to his children is embarrassing; the younger actors, although impressive in martial arts, are unconvincing; and the 'comedy' is subjectively awful. Perceived as a drama, it's painfully shallow. As a fight-fest, it's merely okay - although Nelson (Jake Strickland) was impressive.

2 lucky charms out of 5

Infernal Affairs III (2003)

Serving as both a sequel and a prequel (of sorts) to the first film, Part III brings back Tony Leung and Andy Lau to their respective roles, which makes all the difference for a short while. (It jumps around in time quite a bit, but it's simple enough to follow if you're familiar enough with Part I.) But as the story goes on it becomes clear that very little of it is worth learning about; and some parts of it are so contrived as to be just plain bad. Ultimately, the extra info about certain events will no doubt please a percentage of viewers, for me it's an unnecessary and overlong addition to the first film's taught story.

2½ couch sleeps out of 5

Infernal Affairs II (2003)

Prequels are rarely as good as the story they precede. Case in point: the first IA film is a class act, but its prequel (Part II) definitely isn't. The first time I attempted to watch it I turned it off before the halfway mark. The second time, I fell asleep about 50 minutes in. Having since endured everything it has to offer, I feel that it's severely lacking in thrills or charm. There's a notable action scene around that halfway mark, but the rest if it is woefully dull.
The original story's two moles are now played by younger actors, which is an Achilles heel in itself. but the script, covering each man's rise from rookie to their previously/eventual established positions, is largely forgettable.

2 handovers out of 5

The Mission (1999)

A HK gangster film considered by many as Johnnie To’s best work to date.
It follows five men of differing skill levels, each hired to protect a Triad boss who fears for his life. In-between gunfights the men spend their downtime getting to know each other in a roundabout way.
There’s an odd choice of music throughout. It takes the edge off the hardened setting, but is a crucial part of what gives the film its unique identity, so it’s best to just accept it and let it do its job.
Even if you dislike the overall approach that To took, you can’t dispute the fact that it’s an interesting addition to the genre.
I wasn't on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was, however, completely attentive and eager to see what would happen next.

4 walks of life out of 5

Naked Soldier (2012)

Naked Killer (1992) was entertaining and Naked Weapon (2002) was tolerable. but Naked Soldier is almost unwatchable. It has some excellent stunt work in the last half hour but it’s wasted because it’s captured so badly; it’s on a par with most cheap American action movies. I miss the days when Chinese action cinema kicked all kinds of ass.
If Jennifer Tse avoids crap like this in future she might go far.
Somehow it also managed to attract the talents of Sammo Hung and Anthony Wong Chau-Sang. I’m a fan of both those guys, but Sammo is the only one of the two that comes out the other side with dignity intact.

1 brainwashing out of 5

Executioners: The Heroic Trio 2 (1993)

The world has changed since the Heroic Trio last fought together. It’s now post-apocalyptic. (I'm so damn tired of post-apoc settings. If we do ever blow the world up, let’s do it right and leave no one alive to make a film about.) Two of the women are being heroic in other ways. Wonder Woman has a daughter. Invisible Girl works to repay her debt to society. Only Thief Catcher is unchanged; she stills hunts for bounties.
The editing is still a little clumsy but it seems as if Ching Siu-tung has taken a more active role, meaning the fight scenes are better staged; although there’s still too much slow-mo. The story is less bat-shit crazy this time.

3 pieces of oath cloth out of 5

Beast Cops (1998)

I'd expected a typical Triads Vs Hong Kong Cops movie with high quality shoot-outs and elevated danger levels (because it was co-directed by Gordon Chan), but Beast Cops was different. The cops don't really do very much, which, ironically, is where the real heart of the story resides.
It's helped immensely by the fact that Anthony Wong Chau-Sang is such a great character actor. He can do serious drama just as well as he can do comedy. I could watch him all day. Even Michael Wong, whom I'm not a great fan of ordinarily, fit his character's shoes nicely.
If all you want is a HK action movie, you'll likely be disappointed because there's a lot of comedy and some unconventional turns in the story.

3½ gray areas out of 5

The Heroic Trio (1992)

Three of Asia’s most bankable actresses star in this kung fu action adventure. Wonder Woman (Anita Mui), Thief Catcher (Maggie Cheung) and Invisible Woman (Michelle Yeoh) each kick some ass but for different reasons, on different sides of the fence. Can a fence have three sides? No matter. Knowing that much is enough to let you know what you’re in for.
Unfortunately, Johnny To cocked it up. His action scenes are too clunky and his framing exposes all the sins. Tsui Hark or Corey Yuen could’ve brought this to a much higher level, although it still wouldn't have made much sense in the story dept. The finale is bonkers good fun, though.

2½ stolen babies out of 5

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010)

aka: Fist of Fury: The Legend of Chen Zhen

Chen Zhen was originally played by Bruce Lee and then by Jet Li; if anyone is qualified enough to follow those two, then it's surely Donnie Yen.
The film picks up seven years after the events of Fist of Legend (1994). Chen is living in post-war Shanghai, which remains under Japanese control. He longs to see a China free from oppression, but he's forced to keep a low profile lest he draw attention to the underground resistance.
The story could've been better, it really stretches the credibility of the Chen Zhen character, but the martial arts scenes are as violent as ever and the film is visually impressive.

3½ Kato masks out of 5

Initial D - Drift Racer (2005)

Aka: Tau man ji D

Takumi is a tofu delivery boy for his drunken father (played by the wonderful Anthony Wong Chau-Sang). His delivery route takes him down the twisty Mt. Akina, a road that some new in town downhill street racers want to own. They take a dislike to the tofu boy.
It's based on a manga, so is a little episodic in pace.
There's racing, obviously, but the main focus of the film is the growth of drifter Takumi.
Avoid the UK soundtrack, it loses some of the emotion.

3½ cups of water out of 5

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)

Brendan Fraser returns. Rachel Weisz decided she wanted to go off and be a proper actress in proper films, judge for yourself if she succeeded or not, so the Evelyn character is played by someone new. Alex, the irritating kid, is grown up and is now an irritating young adult.
Just because you can make a trilogy doesn't mean you should.

1 are we done yet? out of 5

MOU GAN DOU [INFERNAL AFFAIRS] [2002]

Hong Kong takes everything Michael Mann has done and perfected it in the first of a trilogy. Infernal Affairs is a near perfect crime-drama that wastes not a second of film. From beginning to end I was enthralled with the tightly wound pacing, performances and plot reveals.
While the characters begin to question which side they are actually one, the viewer is forced to question which side they are rooting for without being manipulated or spoon fed plot twists like we're stupid.
There are a few shots of overly stylized silliness and plot points that go nowhere but all that is forgiven for just how well the story is told. For a movie that's filled with pretty pop stars turned actors this surprises, enthralls and forces me to beg for more.

4 Rooftops out of 5

Hard Boiled (1992)

Before John Woo went to Hollywood to knock out crap uninspired action films, he made quality like Hard Boiled in his native China.

Chow plays a Dirty Harry style cop with a personal mission and a personal demon to exorcise. Even when he's left holding the baby, he kicks ass.
The Woo motifs are all present: extremely stylish dual-wielding slow motion pistol fights, exploding shotgun shells, a dozen near misses in one shoot-out, subtle dualities in plot and character, and doves (in an unusual way this time). It's one of the defining films of the genre.

4 more squibs and bloodpacks out of 5