Action Member: Sammo Hung

Although not a masterpiece, ‘Hand Of Death’ is a good example of how quality quickly shines through and stands out in a crowded genre.

A simple storyline that is backed up by an ample supply of martial arts sequences; this is a film that makes no bones about being a showcase for the impressive fighting skills of its lead actors.

If you’re an action fan you won’t be disappointed and for me, this is Donnie Yen’s best film to date from an acting perspective.

The action is simply electric, most notably the two-against-one finale that pits Sammo and Yuen against Liu Chia Yung.

The pairing of Jet Li and Sammo should have spawned a masterpiece, but instead the audience is left with this disheartening effort.

It is a brilliantly constructed spoof of the martial arts genre that includes all of the elements that made Chow such a success.

This film could be recommended alone for it’s exceptional fight action, but as you’d expect from this cast there’s much more on offer.

Newcomers will enjoy the fight action, the slightly more experienced will also appreciate the comedy and the veteran viewer will be entertained by the great cast.

It’s just so generic, so riddled with the current Chinese cinematic pox that it is impossible to care about.

If you’re a fan of Hong Kong comedies then this one certainly delivers the goods and you’ll also be rewarded with a couple of hard-hitting action scenes along the way.

Anyone searching for a traditional kung-fu flick that is filled with sublime choreography need look no further than this.

Fans of the first two will be sorely disappointed by ‘Once Upon A Time In China And America’ and will no doubt feel somewhat short-changed.