Woo-ping Yuen

Iron Monkey is a film that doesn't disappoint. There's enough creativity, silliness and genuine love for the genre to keep me coming back for more.

An action-packed collaboration between Jet Li and Woo-ping Yuen, released in '93, the magical year for Hong Kong martial arts cinema. Twin Warriors doesn't disappoint, though it isn't until the moment that Yuen starts developing the Tai Chi martial arts that it really rises above itself. Crazy action scenes, daft comedy, wild cinematography and inventive fight choreographies make this film a real treat for martial arts fans.

The 3-way story split might be a bit of a gamble, but looking back I actually enjoyed the extra depth it brought to the film.

A fun Ip Man spin-off. Yuen always was a better action choreographer than he was a director though, and it shows. Not serious enough to be a great crime flick, not fun enough to be a great martial arts epic. It's definitely not a bad film, there's a lot of fun to be had, but it lacks the refinement of a bona fide masterpiece.

Woo-ping Yuen tried to cash on the vampire hype, but his attempt feels flimsy and rushed. Some mediocre martial arts, extremely over-the-top performances and loud comedy make this a forgettable affair. The fast pacing and some random weirdness kept me watching, but this is easily one of Yuen's worst films.