Rating: 3.5

It may feel a little dated in some respects and that one is watching a heightened version of a serious time in a country’s history but ‘Fighting Elegy’ is still exhilarating cinema.

Mak paces the narrative in a very delicate way, choosing to build the romance between his leads rather than just rely on ‘big scenes’ to do the work for him.

While the narrative and tone get a little muddled and the pace dips here and there, ‘Fire of Conscience’ is still a good tough-as-nails cop thriller with some brutal action.

‘First Option’ is definitely a high scorer on the cheese scale, but luckily it’s also loaded with some original action scenes that make it worth your while.

Although still quite a way off classic standards, ‘Fist Of Fury II’ just goes to show that it is possible to make a “Bruceploitation” flick that is fun to watch.

With ‘Five Shaolin Masters’, there is a definite impression that the great director’s inspirational ideas of brotherhood and honour are somehow diluted.

‘Flaming Brothers’ easily holds its place amongst the best of the genre as well as marked the successful return of one of Hong Kong’s favourite cinematic sons.

If you’re in the mood for a measure of catharsis, mid-isolation, ‘Flu’ is a well made disaster film that is just polished enough not to be too harrowing in the current climate.

‘Gallants’ is, for the most part, a refreshing diversion that allows stars of the past to remind modern viewers that they still have much to offer to the future of Hong Kong cinema.

As an introduction to the Hui brothers or Hong Kong comedy in general, this is a fine starting point.

It’s not that it isn’t enjoyable – there is plenty to savour here – but considering the talent available on both sides of the lens, it is mildly frustrating.

For the most part this is a perfectly enjoyable though undistinguished drama, but things step up a gear near the end.