I can't understand the way the writers and director decided to sequence this story. For the first half of the story, it is not hard to think that Chia Ling's character is the villain. Especially so if you'd seen few or none of her other films.

She attacks apparently peaceful citizens in an overly violent and confrontational manner, and comes across as an unpleasant character indeed. It's only as the story unfolds that you find out that her motivation is reasonably sound. I'm staggered that they decided not to make this clear in an opening sequence, the way most other films of this ilk do.

And for an action film, this one is very talky in the first half.

If I haven't already made it clear, this is a major distraction. However, the quality of the fight scenes overcomes this and a few other shortcomings. Despite the talented Don Wong staying out of much of the fu, the action is first rate and plentiful nearly all the way.

Recommended, though through gritted teeth.