Author: Andrew Saroch

It’s difficult to avoid over-gushing praise, but this is a sweet, enchanting romantic comedy that has enough moments of genuine empathy to fill a dozen lesser films.

Despite the clichés, ‘True Love’ still retains a strong entertainment value though. The ending is also powerful enough to make sure that it is not easily forgotten.

There is actually some entertainment to be derived from ‘Truant Hero’ and it exists on its own strengths rather than being completely reliant on its influences.

There is, therefore, no surprises in this Korean blockbuster. Yet the winning entertainment value that Kwon Hyeok-Jae imbues his film with renders all of these minor inconveniences mostly irrelevant.

Though there is talent behind the lens and in front of it, this is a run-of-the-mill swordplay film with a wasted gimmick.

It has a fairly optimistic aim of being a comedy ‘Detective Dee’ and while it might not quite achieve a happy union between its components this is an undemanding distraction.

‘Treasure Hunters’ never has a dull moment and from the opening credits to the very last kicks of the finale this is a top-notch Shaw Brothers’ film.

With a genuinely affectionate central romance, a captivating female lead and a hero who is believable, bewildering and ultimately winning, ‘Train Man’ is certainly to be commended.

A four-star movie that, due to its heavy-handed closing shots, loses half a star; the same idea was used with much more sophistication at the end of ‘Anonymous Heroes’.

‘Tracing Shadow’ – though by no means as bad as that tirade – does fall foul of the flaws of the weaker films rather than embrace the qualities of the greats.

A big-budget mess that occasionally makes good use of its actors, this is a movie that has few strengths to rely on.

It is a film that deserves to be watched by fans of all genres though and, alongside classics like ‘Come Drink With Me’, acts as a perfect portfolio for the late, great King Hu.