At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Fisherman buddies Wai (affable Mark Cheng) and Nan (the equally engaging Benny Lai Wai) get into trouble with a bunch of mobsters after Nan insults the gang leader's singer mistress in a nightclub. The wise and honorable Li Hwa-yu (an excellent performance by Alex Man Chi-leung) gets the guys out of hot water and hires them to work as guards in his club. Wai and Nan find themselves neck deep in trouble again when ruthless Japanese slimeball Kuyama (a perfectly hateful portrayal by Ken Lo Wai-Kwong) and his nasty flunkies try to take over Hwa-yu's business. Director Feng Ke An relates the complex and involving story at a constant fast pace and stages the plentiful action set pieces with considerable skill and rip-roaring brio. While the opening third is a bit slow, things fortunately really start cooking as the plot unfolds and culminates in an extremely lively and exciting climax complete with shoot-outs, car chases, and lots of ferocious martial arts fights. The cast all contribute sound performances. The pretty and perky Yukari Oshima positively galvanizes the screen with her fierce energy and charming personality as Hwa-yi's feisty and flighty daughter Amy. Dick Wei is also spot-on as Hwa-yu's greedy and disloyal longtime partner Tung. The glossy cinematography makes inspired occasional use of strenuous slow motion and gives the picture an attractive slick look. A fun film.

Unremarkable, just like a hundred or more other Hong Kong action films about two friends getting into trouble with the triads and having to fight their way out. Or something. This is one of many HK action films that I've seen over the years that has really good action but the plot feels like it was added as an after thought for the fight scenes to take place. I sat there watching the film trying to make sense of what was going on before giving up and just let the film play in the background, popping my head up for the numerous fights. I'd take a pass because to me the film is ultimately disposable.3 out of 10 for some good action

Yukari Oshima is up there as one of my favorite female action stars, and although she doesn't get to show off her talent TOO much in this film, she still kicks enough butt to satisfy most of her fans.The film itself is OK, more or less a revenge flick and contains some interesting stunt work and acting. Ken lo does a good job as the villain in this film for example, and Mark Cheng's sidekick is pretty acrobatic, although dies a little to abruptly. The main problem i had in this movie was the way Cheng handles himself when it comes to the action. He waves his arms around a lot and sort of looks like he's impersonating jackie chan, but ends up seeming goofy. It's a shame, because he shows off his physical talent rather well in films like Tai Chi 2. Overall, Yukari fans will probably seek this one out, otherwise there's a lot better when it comes to HK action.