Genre: War

One of the better mainland films of recent years and probably the best of the ones that focus on the revolution.

Yet another good looking Chinese epic that tries to cram way too much historical happenings into a somewhat brief running time but is still an okay stab by Chan to tackle “serious” filmmaking once again.

This slick looking and battle charged war film doesn’t stray too far from the well worn war movie path but certainly tells an inspiring and conflict heavy tale from the Korean War.

‘A Battle Of Wits’ is that rare work that is exciting, tense and yet is an introspective on the violence, war and conformity.

As a standalone film ‘A Better Tomorrow 3’ is a fairly watchable effort thanks to an intriguing premise, but as a prequel to ‘A Better Tomorrow’ it just doesn’t quite cut it.

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.

Only recommended to war completists and those who find overt sentimentality and propaganda pushing easier to swallow.

Despite the odd dip into cheesiness, lethargic storytelling and over earnestness, ‘Night Raid’ is still an enjoyable slice of war action with an intriguing story and some likeable characters at its core.

This is only for the war history (and propaganda/sentimentality pushing) completist out there. Those wanting a war combat fix best look elsewhere.

‘Black Rain’ excels in its examination of Japanese society, especially in the post-Atomic age. The bomb almost becomes the end of a civilisation as the traditional customs and expectations change forever.

‘Blood of Warriors’ certainly tries its best but is far too hampered by the excessive melodramatics and the general feeling of historical action epic fatigue.

An unflinching look at a violent part of Korea’s history and how the terror of war really does tear people apart both figuratively and literally.