Reviewed by: STSH Date: 01/02/2006 Summary: A solid banjo The plans for the Japanese invasion of China in 1941 are hidden inside the most solid banjo ever made. This incredible instrument is used in an elaborate fight scene, where Japanese troops are whacked into unconsciousness in one hit, yet it comes apart easily when Colonel Kino removes the plans later. Perhaps the poor instrument just couldn't take any more. The story proceeds too slowly in parts, and the acting and dialogue are pretty creaky during the first half. However, as is true of so many HK movies, things start to gel around the half-way mark (And why is that ? Did many HK directors make a habit of not paying attention for the first half ?) and the remainder is a blast. Plentiful fights of good quality and high entertainment value. Also pretty gory - plenty of fake blood spilt here. The dialogue and acting even improve a bit. Bruce Leung is a lead actor who, as far as I'm concerned, has a good track record. I've at least enjoyed every movie of his I've seen, and this is no exception. Recommended. Reviewer Score: 7

Reviewed by: Frank Lakatos Date: 12/08/2005 Summary: The best basher ever made This is one of the best bashers ever made. If the new school kung fu movies 77 and on would have kept this brutal intensity in their fights cenes, there would be that many bad kung fu movies. The fight between James Nam's Japanese sharp eagle talon finger claw wepaons and Bruce Leung kicks is some of the best choreography I've ever seen in a old school 75-78 movie, simple because the choreography is brutal, bloody, and fast, unlike anything made at that time. I like the fact that they yell their hearts out and give it all when they fight. This is a Japanese vs Chinese movie. Froget about the rest of the movie. Fast forward to the ending. *****(for the final fight, not the entire movie)/*****