Release Year: 2008

If you fancy watching a series of fun fights that feature some bizarre opponents then ‘Geisha Assassin’ is certainly as good a choice as any.

‘Happy Flight’ benefits from the versatility of Haruka Ayase – as good in a comedy as she has been in action flicks like ‘Ichi’ – and a variety of low-key characters who give the story a charm of its own.

‘Hard Revenge, Milly’ is a short burst of blood-soaked fun that is likely to please fans of this ever-expanding genre.

The whole thing rollicks along at a fair clip and the film has a kind of charming, uncomplicated 1980s fantasy action film vibe to it making it a much more enjoyable experience than one might expect.

Unpretentious, well crafted, a great central performance and some excellent action make ‘Ichi’ a hugely enjoyable experience and refreshing take on the samurai genre.

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.

Perhaps the only downside is that I would still rather watch one of Van Damme’s straight action pictures.

It’s a stylish and enjoyable nod to the adventure serials of yesteryear that for the most part provides some good looking blockbuster thrills.

Interest is created in ‘Lady Cop & Papa Crook’ by its style and verve, yet the story and characters are successful in doing the opposite.

Not a complete disaster but by no means the showcase that Wu Jing was no doubt hoping it would be.

‘My New Partner’ is a glossy and sharply packaged Korean production, but its attempts at emotional resonance are not entirely successful.

The story is weak as water and most of the humour falls flat, with even the puppet thing getting old very quickly.