Rating: 4.5

A grand tale of men banding together to fight an unrelenting evil, content to die if they can free their land from the marauding tyrant and his gargantuan army.

It has numerous nods to the Shaw Brothers classics and harks back to those swordplay flicks of yesteryear, making you smile, cry, jump for joy and shout like a banshee, like any good martial arts film should.

Great all-round entertainment that shows Stephen Chow and the Monkey King myth at their finest.

‘A Distant Cry From Spring’ is the very best of Yamada’s themes, contained in a truly beautiful masterpiece that leaves tears in the eye as the credits roll.

A beautifully shot portrait of grief, redemption and family, ‘A Light Never Goes Out’ deserves the plaudits it is receiving and much more.

‘A Simple Life’ is the perfect marriage of arthouse style and heart-rending substance.

It is a film that deserves to be watched by fans of all genres though and, alongside classics like ‘Come Drink With Me’, acts as a perfect portfolio for the late, great King Hu.

‘About Her Brother’ showcases Yamada’s deft understanding of the Japanese family, yet has a universality that ensures each significant moment hits home no matter where in the world it is viewed.

Exquisite cinematography, immense talent behind the lens as well as a superb lead performance all add up to create an inspirational masterpiece.

The best advice I would give to anyone is to stick with this excellent production through its slower moments as there is much to savour here.

‘Bullet in the Head’ still packs an enormous emotional punch and is very much one of the all time classics of Hong Kong cinema.

Jacob Cheung’s celebrated drama is that magical juxtaposition of gritty social commentary and absorbing character study that many lesser directors aspire to replicate.