Robin-B-Hood (2006)

Safe-crackers Thongs and Octopus (Chan and Koo) will rob anything of value to fund their expensive habits; gambling for Thongs, women for Octopus. Being in something of a rut means they can't pass up the opportunity when a big score comes along. The R2 cover doesn't give the game away, so I won't either, suffice it to say that the item in question is unlike anything they've looted before. The antics thereafter are hit and miss, as are the action scenes, inventive but making occasional use of wires and green screen. The finale is old-school Chan, though, and almost makes up for the other stuff.

2½ free falls out of 5

Election: Volume 2 (2006)

Known as 'Triad Election' in the USA.

It’s been two years since the last Election. Tradition dictates the current chairman must step down and make way for new blood, but, unsurprisingly, he’s reluctant to do so. His continued lust for power creates new tensions and new rivalries within the secret organisation.
In some ways it’s the same old situation, but the motivations for some of the characters are new. Johnnie To wisely lets the story dictate the direction and in so doing achieves the near impossible: he has us not only respecting but actively cheering for a murderous villain. The violence is swift and brutal, earning it a Cat III rating.

3½ bowls of chum out of 5

DRUG WAR [2013]

aka Du zhan

Director Johnnie To scales back the high octane action of his earlier films and opts for more of a realistic world of violence in Drug War.  

Fortunately he still includes some of the batshit crazy type of characters as he usually does but pushes them further into the background, while cranking up the beautifully noir-ish photography and fills his palate with loads of blacks, greys and greens.  Instead of focusing more on character, we're supposedly drawn to the intricate plot but if you've ever seen a Michael Mann movie there's nothing new to see here and that hurts considering all of the main characters are about as interesting as a stick of butter.  

A nice looking film with some great shootout sequences makes for a average way to spend one's time.  

3 mutes out of 5

Election: Volume 1 (2005)

Every two years the Wo Shing society (Triads) hold an election to appoint a new leader. It’s hoped that he will respect the society’s traditions and lead them into prosperity until the next election comes around. But what if the losing candidate doesn't like to lose? What then?
This first volume (of two) is less stylised than some of Johnnie To’s other films and consequently a lot more believable. For most of the running time it not only gives the impression that the events portrayed on-screen could happen, but that that they actually do happen within that world.

3½ expirations out of 5