Writer: Kim Yip

The pace flags slightly near the end with a final section that is needlessly padded out, but there’s much to absorb in Tony Au’s work.

It will forever be a footnote in Yeoh’s career (especially now) but it offers a comforting bit of nostalgia. And not a great deal else, sadly.

In my opinion, this is Jet Li’s best work as he carries the film well, performing brilliantly in the films numerous fight sequences.

‘Heart Into Hearts’ is subsequently a perfect example of the law of diminishing returns, a sequel that tries to impress with its relative opulence but forgets how important its characters are.

With consistent pacing, a convincing story and an effortless mixture of comedy and romance, it is no wonder that ‘Heart To Hearts’ was successful enough to spawn two sequels and numerous imitators.

Many of the fight sequences are powerful and realistic, and there is a good balance between cinematic choreography and outright simple bloodshed.

You really feel a lot of the hits in this film which is all in all, a hugely enjoyable action flick, jam-packed with trademark Woo Ping fight scenes, thankfully sans wires!

The plot is all over the place and covers all areas mentioned in my opening paragraph, but as ever, it is only there to give people a reason to fight.

Packed full of superbly choreographed fight sequences and sporting solid leading performances, it is definitely one of the finest kung fu movies to emerge from Hong Kong during the 90s.

While ‘Tiger Cage’ is not quite as good as the amazing sequel, it is certainly a flick which no Hong Kong, or action fan should miss out on.

This really isn’t a truly great cinematic ‘film’, but one which moves at a frenetic, action-packed pace while fittingly bringing an end to the fabulous 80’s style action.