Takes a while to warm up, but pretty good after the first 30 minutes. In fact, the spot where things picked up dramatically (for me, anyway) was the appearance of one of my favourite veteran actors Kwan Hoi San.
I do not agree that the ending was a disappointment, although I found it odd that the opium plotline was left hanging. I found the ending, which involves a lead character having a distinct change of viewpoint, to be an unusual and very satisfactory ending.
Lotsa action and stunts and fu fighting. And although I think Chin Ga Lok is more a liability than a plus as a leading man, the results still ok. But you'll need either patience or the fast-forward button.