So disappointing.


As a long (LONG) time fan of Sammo in his Golden harvest years and Beyond I was so excited to see that after nearly 20 years he was returning to the directors chair.

It's sad then that this film is just a total mess. It's all over the place and I think it focuses way more on the mob cast than on the main character played by Hung who, in all honesty, is almost completely without personality at all.

The premise of the film is a really interesting one but it's totally wasted. The relationship with the girl feels underdeveloped and the fact that he has dementia serves absolutely no purpose in the story as it never becomes a part of the plot.

The fight scenes, of which there are only two, are far lower than the usual Sammo standards. he seems to have taken quite a Hollywood style on board and as such the shots are shot far too tight and up close and it seems just like the same move repeated over and over with constant arm breaking. I realise that Sammo is getting on a bit but he was fantastic in Ip Man 2 so he still has the moves when needed.

One thing it has in it's favour is it's look. The film is BEAUTIFULLY shot and the cinematography, colour and just the whole visual of the film is stunning! Even shots of seemingly 'normal' things like streets or old railways are just lush and it really is a treat for the eye. Cameos from Yuen Biao and Tsui Hark are welcome but it doesn't save the film from it's dull execution at all.

After viewing I was shocked that the film was only just over an hour and a half long as it felt like about 3 hours and not in a good way.

A very sad case of a great idea in the hands of a great master which looks amazing but is just executed so very poorly.

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That's a shame... I hadn't realised this was even on the horizon until today... and to see so many bad reviews.... sigh...

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I wanted to write a mini-review for this but you summed up pretty much everything I had to say, so you saved me some time! :)

It's so sad to see a mess of a movie such as this from Sammo. I'll have to go and watch Millionaire's Express or another classic to make up for it.

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I personally don't get it, I loved this movie and I'm American.

"Like my great grandpappy used to say, when life gives you booty, make bootyade!"-Big E of New Day

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Large elderly man with an injured leg Sammo got it right that choreo is top one vs many unarmed vs knife battles.

Agreed about the pacing seems like we were victims of the Chinese mainland edits yet again.

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I loved it! If you're looking for a "martial arts movie" though, I can see your point.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

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