great movie . movie strengths represent fight art . fight choreography . direct . under it fictional story front lie a unique and literal purview of the kung fu underworld in the heart and soul of where it all happen represent chinatown . movie weaknesses represent dramatic acting . budget constraint . if you can get past the fact that this movie do not have the luxury of chow yun fat endless budget and you will see that it do have what chow doesn not . pure fight art at it best . the fighter be real . the fight be real and true to the art . reveal an ancient and yet rarely ( if ever ) see denomination of high precision kung fu . the slick black and soggy street of the chinatown slum embody the ghost district pungent heart and soul . reminiscent of that banshee type taste and feel you get in michael mann thief .