Movies
A pretty successful mix of popular elements. There's a bit of tomb raiding fun at the start of the film, but this is really more of a police procedural with strong mystery and overt supernatural influences. The execution was a bit better than expected, but that's probably because I've seen a few too many Chinese streamer films lately. Open the Coffin isn't quite horror, as the film doesn't really try to scare or repulse, but if you're extremely squeamish, this might not be the film for you. Performances are decent, the film looks atmospheric, the plot is pretty amusing and the pacing is pleasant. Fun filler, if a little too unambitious to come close to a personal favorite. Read all
Not bad, but I wish they'd put a bit more effort into the cast and the introduction of the characters. All the ingredients are here to deliver a kick-ass action flick, but some of the performances are subpar and the bad guys look rather plain. It's a good thing Jaa is still doing his usual stunt work. The gun fights are also a little lacking, luckily most of the action is of the martial arts kind. The cinematography is solid, the pacing is slick and Jaa is allowed to show off his skills. With a bit more craft and attention to detail, this could've been an action classic, but action fans won't be disappointed.Read all
A typical Chinese streamer fantasy/actioner that somehow made it to the Western market. I've no idea why they've chosen this one, maybe it has to do with the fact that the West has had a few Tai Chi martial arts films before, other than that there's nothing that makes it stand out for a gazillion other films. That means that the CG is sketchy as best, that the plot is a little messy, and that the setting is very familiar. It also means the film is short, fast-paced, and quite amusing. It's not the best of the bunch, but as someone who appreciates a simple martial arts film I didn't mind this one at all. Just don't expect blockbuster quality.Read all