Ultimately a boring and uneventful movie

Rating: 6/10 (24 July 2009)

The first five minutes lays the foundation for an interesting plot which is not handled in any noticeable way for two hours. Things get increasingly frustrating with every flashback as the viewer is further educated on the history and motivations of all the characters. These techniques, which seem to make up more than half the movie stunt any forward momentum. The violence is over the top, unnecessarily gory. The music is some of the greatest music ever written: Dylan, Simon and Garfunkle, Leonard Cohen, etc. But it feels almost too mainstream, like it's '60's awareness time children, put down your Brittany Spears!'. Sure it's great but way too obvious. The fight scenes are typical Asian choreography, strings attached, nothing new here, the usual dancing. So, all in all, I was left feeling bored for most of the movie. There was some excellent and convincing acting in the Rorshack character, who is likable for his uncompromising views, his fearlessness, and his humour.