I appreciate an action flick that wastes no time. Within minutes, from the very opening scene, we're treated to excellent stunts, fight scenes, and considerable violence. The plot kicks off with just enough story to provide foundation for the film before throwing still more action and martial arts fun at us with no hesitation; Yuen Biao and Cindy Rothrock's characters are introduced separately, yet with equal flourish. 'Righting wrongs' works hard and quickly to endear itself to us, and it never really lets up - this is fantastic!
Director Corey Yuen, screenwriter Barry Wong, and film studio Golden Harvest all carry substantial weight, and their attachment is pretty much all the assurance one needs to as just how good the movie is. Once more, to emphasize: the stunt work is truly outstanding, and the fight choreography. I won't say the action is non-stop, because that's not true - but it mostly is. One exceptional sequence after another is built as much to give an opportunity for more action as it is to propel the narrative. And between the expertise of the filmmakers, producers, stunt coordinators, and the cast themselves, every instance of aggressive vigor comes off with a dazzling finesse and excitement.
The action is the chief strength of 'Righting wrongs,' but it's not alone. Like so many other martial arts flicks, there's a significant element of comedy bursting through many scenes. Moreover, the appendage of the word "arts' isn't just a descriptor; there's a gratifying, stylish virtuosity throughout the film that's just as electrifying as the action itself. And for as lightly as the plot begins, the story devised between Wong and co-writer Szeto Chuek-hon is strong, sharp, and smart - engaging and satisfying beyond the utmost visceral thrills. There's a measure of welcome complexity to characters and personality, and the dialogue is characterized by no small measure of wit. And even as the scene writing focuses on fights and stunts, there's wonderful variety from one moment to the next so the picture never lags or loses its edge.
And we're still not done, because while stunts and action are the clear priority, the ensemble also demonstrate fine capabilities as actors. Performances are given to meaningful range and nuance to bring the characters to life, and carry the narrative. The original music composed between Romeo Diaz and Stephen Shing is itself varied and duly enjoyable as it helps to build the mood for any given scene, and the theme song "Proud" sung by Jacky Cheung is actually a real blast, too. 'Righting wrongs' is superbly well made from a technical standpoint, with marvelous care for everything from costume design, set design and decoration, cinematography, and shot composition, to blood, effects, props and weapons, and more.
I cannot overstate: I love this movie. The only point where I'd acknowledge a glimmer of weakness is in those few instances when the film wishes to impart more emotional weight to a scene, as this simply isn't crafted with that type of gravity in mind. Yet everything else about the feature is conjured and executed with such astounding, absorbing polish and heart that it's impossible to tear one's eyes away. Once more, it's the martial arts and stunts that stand out the most, and alone make this worthwhile, but the same grand, vitalizing thrust is applied to every aspect. Put simply, 'Righting wrongs' is a tremendous action-thriller that I call a must-see - even if you have to go out of your way to watch it, these are 100 classic, essential minutes.
Highest possible recommendation!
Director Corey Yuen, screenwriter Barry Wong, and film studio Golden Harvest all carry substantial weight, and their attachment is pretty much all the assurance one needs to as just how good the movie is. Once more, to emphasize: the stunt work is truly outstanding, and the fight choreography. I won't say the action is non-stop, because that's not true - but it mostly is. One exceptional sequence after another is built as much to give an opportunity for more action as it is to propel the narrative. And between the expertise of the filmmakers, producers, stunt coordinators, and the cast themselves, every instance of aggressive vigor comes off with a dazzling finesse and excitement.
The action is the chief strength of 'Righting wrongs,' but it's not alone. Like so many other martial arts flicks, there's a significant element of comedy bursting through many scenes. Moreover, the appendage of the word "arts' isn't just a descriptor; there's a gratifying, stylish virtuosity throughout the film that's just as electrifying as the action itself. And for as lightly as the plot begins, the story devised between Wong and co-writer Szeto Chuek-hon is strong, sharp, and smart - engaging and satisfying beyond the utmost visceral thrills. There's a measure of welcome complexity to characters and personality, and the dialogue is characterized by no small measure of wit. And even as the scene writing focuses on fights and stunts, there's wonderful variety from one moment to the next so the picture never lags or loses its edge.
And we're still not done, because while stunts and action are the clear priority, the ensemble also demonstrate fine capabilities as actors. Performances are given to meaningful range and nuance to bring the characters to life, and carry the narrative. The original music composed between Romeo Diaz and Stephen Shing is itself varied and duly enjoyable as it helps to build the mood for any given scene, and the theme song "Proud" sung by Jacky Cheung is actually a real blast, too. 'Righting wrongs' is superbly well made from a technical standpoint, with marvelous care for everything from costume design, set design and decoration, cinematography, and shot composition, to blood, effects, props and weapons, and more.
I cannot overstate: I love this movie. The only point where I'd acknowledge a glimmer of weakness is in those few instances when the film wishes to impart more emotional weight to a scene, as this simply isn't crafted with that type of gravity in mind. Yet everything else about the feature is conjured and executed with such astounding, absorbing polish and heart that it's impossible to tear one's eyes away. Once more, it's the martial arts and stunts that stand out the most, and alone make this worthwhile, but the same grand, vitalizing thrust is applied to every aspect. Put simply, 'Righting wrongs' is a tremendous action-thriller that I call a must-see - even if you have to go out of your way to watch it, these are 100 classic, essential minutes.
Highest possible recommendation!