Director: Feng Xiaogang

This is a lustrous production that flatters to deceive, aiming for the intellect, but eventually preferring to show empty spectacle and supposed depth.

A well made drama that follows the lives of a small group of characters after an horrific event, ‘Aftershock’ may disappoint those looking for the regular disaster movie tropes but those in the mood for a rewarding character piece should check it out.

A personal story told on a grand scale ‘Assembly’ is as good as war flicks get, finding a near perfect balance between a personal journey and large scale combat.

The simple fact is that Xiaogang’s latest work is the kind of slick, seamless film that one can admire as much as enjoy.

While it doesn’t always engage and could have used a little more oomph come the second half, Feng Xiaogang’s film is still a decent attempt at dynasty drama.