Rating: 3.0

‘Hidden Strike’ is an entertaining film though the computer effects sometimes lack finesse and the wirework for an ageing Jackie Chan has become too obvious.

‘High Kick Girl’ is more like a montage of fight scenes that, with little context provided and characters barely registering as human, becomes monotonous.

It entertains throughout its duration and despite the usual kung-fu comedy conventions turning up it is a breath of fresh air.

In comparison to what ‘Hit Team’ could have been with a slightly bigger budget and a better realised narrative, this is a disappointment.

Jet lacks the screen presence to hold our attention and ultimately makes the long wait between the action set pieces just too long.

This is one for die-hard fans of Lam Ching Ying or the Chinese comedy horror genre in general.

Though certainly not uncomfortable to sit through, there’s without a doubt something missing that stops it firing on all cylinders.

It’s a solid study of the strains that sudden fame has on friendship, especially when the screaming girls and management team are favouring two members over the whole five.

Some may not like ‘How To Choose A Royal Bride’ because of the episodic nature of the story but this is some fun if rather slight entertainment.

Ultimately, ‘Hula Girls’ lacks its own identity. It takes a popular concept and rests on the fact that it apparently has a factual source material as its inspiration.

While it doesn’t completely succeed in its intentions it is still a brave, and very dark, experimental thriller recommended to the less judgemental out there.

‘I Love Hong Kong’ doesn’t steer too far away from the usual New Year hi-jinks – it is an entertaining 2011 release, but will probably not be remembered come 2012.