Genre: Action/Thriller
Director: Joe Carnahan
Cast: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins
Rating: NC16 (Violence and Coarse Language)
Released By: Encore Films
Official Website:

Opening Day: 1 May 2025

Synopsis: In SHADOW FORCE, Kyrah (Washington) and Isaac (Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. They broke the rules by falling in love, and in order to protect their son, they go underground. With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family’s fight becomes all-out war..

Movie Review:

We love Omar Sy as Lupin, but we cannot say the same about his latest outing as former special forces agent Isaac Sarr. Likewise, as fine an actress Kerry Washington may be, we cannot say that we enjoyed her unlikely turn as another former special forces agent Kyrah Owens.

As the setup goes, both Isaac and Kyrah were once heads of a covert group known as ‘Shadow Force’ led by the egoistic and duplicitous Jack Cinder (Mark Strong); unfortunately, after falling in love with each other and having a kid together, they decided to violate the oath they had given to Jack and go underground instead. And to protect her young son Ky (Jahleel Kamara), Kyrah decided to estrange herself from Isaac and Ky, while protecting them from a distance.

Seeing Washington try to inject poignancy into Kyrah’s sacrifice for her husband and son makes it clear why she decided to acquire the original script by Leon Chills through her production company; and with veteran genre specialist Joe Carnahan on board, it must have seemed like ‘Shadow Force’ could be a high-octane thriller with sentiment. Alas, notwithstanding the pedigree, it is dull, uninvolving and even frustrating.

Right from the start, you get the nagging sense that the titular special forces group never counts for anything much. There is little clue what their missions were; no sense of the camaraderie between them; or for that matter, the betrayal their teammates felt when Isaac and Kyrah up and left in order to pursue their own lives. Not only are these ‘shadow force’ members largely inconsequential, the odd couple that are given more emphasis – Marcus ‘Unc’ Owens (Method Man) and Auntie Clanter (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) – are just thoroughly unconvincing as special forces agents.

There is also the lack of chemistry between Sy and Washington, which undermines whatever connection their characters are supposed to have. As much as we respect Carnahan for not simply replicating a ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ dynamic between them, it is also not clear what exactly he is trying to achieve – and no, just a shared love for Lionel Ritchie ballads will not do. What’s worse, in the absence of any real depth between them, Washington’s weepiness over her sacrifice comes off grating.

It doesn’t help that neither Sy or Washington are well versed in action – as much as you can see how they try to do their own stunts, it is frankly unimpressive, and to some extent, even embarrassing. That, and Carnahan’s uninspired action choreography, just about takes away any guilty pleasure action fans would no doubt be looking forward to. It’s obvious Carnahan is operating on a much more constrained budget compared to say ‘The A-Team’, but that doesn’t excuse how boring the gunplay, hand-to-hand combat or explosions turn out onscreen.

Simply put, ‘Shadow Force’ fails even as a simple genre exercise; and given so, it would be better for Sy, Washington and their fans if this ignominy faded away sooner than later. Amidst a summer of welcome surprises – we’re counting ‘Sinners’ and ‘Thunderbolts*/ The New Avengers’ – this lacklustre outing is even more disappointing, so like we said, it’s better for your sake that you leave this to disappear into the shadows.

Movie Rating:

(Dull in almost every respect, whether in terms of action, plotting or character work, this poor excuse of an action thriller deserves to be left in the shadows)

Review by Gabriel Chong

Genre: Action/Thriller
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Cast: Jason Statham, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Bill Nighy, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Harriet Walter, Bryan Vigier
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Violence)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 17 February 2026

Synopsis: A recluse on a remote Scottish island rescues a girl from the sea, unleashing a perilous sequence of events that culminate in an attack on his home, compelling him to face his turbulent history.

Movie Review:

At this point, it’s quite unimaginable for Jason Statham not to appear as a superhero character in a Marvel or DC movie, considering his screen credits read like an ancient kung fu manual. Sacrilegious, isn’t it?

In Ric Roman Waugh’s second directorial feature of the year (after Greenland 2) and yes, not forgetting it’s only February. Statham stars as Michael Mason, a former elite government assassin now holed up in an abandoned lighthouse on an island off Scotland. His only point of contact is a former associate and her niece, Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach), who supplies Mason with necessities.

When a storm hits, the supply boat capsizes and Jessie is injured. Mason is forced to head to the mainland for antibiotics. His image is captured by MI6, who mistakenly identify him as a terrorist. In reality, it’s his former boss, Manafort (Bill Nighy), who wants him dead and is the very reason Mason has been in hiding all these years.

Shelter is none other than Statham’s movie event of the year, although the English actor can sometimes be generous enough to serve up more than one actioner within a calendar year. With the exception of The Meg series, where he played a rescue diver, it’s comforting to say that in Shelter, he’s back to playing his usual type: an ex-operative, an assassin of sorts living in recluse who reluctantly returns to kick ass.

Director Waugh and writer Ward Parry know exactly what audiences expect from a Statham flick, so they try their best to squeeze in some emotion and develop the surrogate “father-and-daughter” relationship before the next shootout. Breathnach, who appeared in Hamnet as Susanna Shakespeare, plays the orphaned teenager to a tee — lost, frightened, but precocious at the same time. She’s much like Mei in Statham’s Safe, though the latter had a much busier plot compared to Shelter.

For the record, Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice, Mickey 17) appears as the new head of MI6, a role that unfortunately doesn’t require an ounce of her acting talent. All you really need to know is that you can always count on Mason to handsomely dispatch anyone whether in a nightclub, on a farm, or in a one-on-one showdown with a mercenary hired by Manafort. Waugh, a former stunt performer, knows exactly how to make Statham pull off every punch and kick with effortless ease and flair.

Michael Mason, in short, is a precision instrument, and Statham never disappoints in delivering another bone-cracking actioner. Of course, if you’re expecting a Jason Statham flick that surpasses his last few, you might have to wait for the next one which will probably arrive by summer.  

Movie Rating:

(A predictable Jason Statham flick that nevertheless entertains his fanbase)

Review by Linus Tee

Genre: Action/Fantasy
Director: Lim Dae-hee
Cast: Ma Dong-seok, Seohyun, Lee David, Kyung Soo-jin, Jung Ji-so
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Rating: NC16 (Horror & Some Violence)
Released By: Golden Village 
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 8 May 2025

Synopsis: In a city thrown into chaos by a cult that worships evil, occult action takes place as the dark enforcer team with special powers, Bau, Sharon, and Kim Gun, sets out to eradicate the forces of darkness. 

Movie Review:

If you know Ma Dong-seok, you’ll know that he has a very special set of skills, which he used to ‘Roundup’ (pun intended) killers, drug smugglers and human traffickers. There is a fifth movie in the series coming next year by the way, but in the meantime, Ma decided that instead of just dispatching mere humans, his special set of skills could very well be used to vanquish demons. That is the very premise of ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’, the first in which Ma clearly hopes is the start of a new franchise that he had conceptualised with first-time writer-director Lim Dae-hee.

Still a detective, though in the looser sense of the word, Ma plays the unflappable leader, Kang Bow, of a demon-hunting outfit called ‘Holy Night’. Joining him is the psychic shaman Sharon (Girls’ Generation pop idol Seohyun), whose powers of exorcism are less physical than supernatural, and rookie Kim Gun (Lee David), whose job in the team is to take down videographic evidence of their cases and whose role in the movie is to provide comic relief. Our eccentric trio of demon hunters are recognised but not quite endorsed by the police, who approach them to deal with bizarre and otherworldly cases that they otherwise cannot solve.

The primary case before them here involves a young woman named Eun-seo (Parasite’s Jung Ji-so), whose older sister Jung-won (Kyung Soo-jin) pleads for their help after her attempts at psychotherapy fail to relieve Eun-seo’s condition. Jung-won is introduced to the ‘Demon Hunters’ by a Catholic doctor at the medical facility where she works, and the said doctor Father Jacob’s history with Kang Bow becomes an intriguing backstory that is sadly never quite explored as fully as we hoped.

A good part of the movie is spent within the two-storey house in the outskirts where Jung-won and Eun-seo used to live before the latter was transferred to the psychiatric hospital; this is also where Lim stages an elaborate exorcism ritual, taking his audience through each of the six stages – such as presence; clash; and deception – with appropriately tense and atmospheric visual and sound effects. Lim is apparently an occult fan, and his dedication to detail in each of these scenes speaks to that; even for those who have had their fair share of exorcism movies, we dare say that what Lim pulls off here is pretty intense and impressive.

What is sadly lacking though is much plotting beyond the ritual on Eun-seo itself – in particular, the earlier scenes hint that Eun-seo’s possession is linked to a series of recent violent deaths throughout Seoul that are the work of an underground army of fanatical demon worshippers. There is too little case solving in that regard, especially in how the leader of this network might very well be Bow’s childhood buddy turned mass murderer. Indeed, it is unfortunate that so much time is spent on the exorcism itself that there is hardly any attention devoted to Bow’s takedown of the criminal network, so much so that his confrontation with its leader is relegated to an animated sequence just before the end credits.

This is also fair warning for those who were keenly looking forward to Ma punching and socking the possessed – though there are certainly a number of scenes devoted to his particular set of skills, these are hardly remarkable next to what we’ve seen in ‘The Roundup’; in fact, we would even go so far as to say that Ma is somewhat sidelined for a good part of the movie when the focus is on the exorcism itself, with Sharon taking centre stage in the battle with the demon within Eun-seo.

So as inspired as the idea may have been to have Ma take on the supernatural, the result is somewhat middling. ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’ is a passable exorcism action thriller at best, and we dare say we speak for Ma’s fans that it is disappointing he doesn’t get to do as much of what he is great at in this movie. We certainly hope the sequel will have more emphasis on what Ma is singularly good at, and even a richer plotting of the clash between science and religion that is raised but never fully explored here. Still, as a franchise starter, it presents enough of a captivating premise to lay the groundwork for hopefully better sequels to come.

Movie Rating:

(Not quite as punchy as we would have hoped, Ma's extension of his special set of skills to the supernatural is at best a passably entertaining exorcism thriller that will lay the groundwork for better sequels to come)

Review by Gabriel Chong

SYNOPSIS: When a legendary Go master loses his title to a one-time friend and protégé, he sets out to reclaim it in a high-stakes battle of wits and skill.

MOVIE REVIEW:

The Match tells the compelling story of Cho Hun-hyun (Lee Byung-hun), one of the greatest Go players of all time, and his protégé-turned-rival, Lee Chang-ho (Yoo Ah-in). Spanning the 1980s and 1990s, this handsomely produced drama explores their complex relationship and the shifting balance of power between mentor and student.

The film opens with Cho winning a major international tournament in Singapore, cementing his status as a national icon. Soon after, he discovers a young prodigy, Lee Chang-ho, who astonishes seasoned players with his innate talent. Cho takes him under his wing, determined to shape the boy into the next Go champion.

As time passes, Lee begins to develop his own distinct style—measured and patient, a stark contrast to Cho’s aggressive approach. Their differing philosophies eventually lead to inevitable clashes, both on and off the board. As Lee’s skills evolve, he starts to outshine his mentor, threatening Cho’s reign as the top player in the game.

There’s no doubt that considerable effort has gone into portraying these two legendary figures with emotional depth. Lee Byung-hun delivers a strong performance as the prideful master wrestling with insecurity and the fear of obsolescence. In contrast, Yoo Ah-in’s portrayal of Lee is more subdued and restrained, though at times he seems to lean too heavily into mannerisms that border on a portrayal of someone on the autism spectrum, potentially limiting the emotional nuance of the role.

For those unfamiliar with the game of Go, the mechanics and strategy may remain elusive. The swift flurry of black and white stones across the board might feel cryptic, yet the emotional stakes remain clear. Even without an understanding of the game itself, the audience can appreciate the psychological tension and personal drama at the heart of Cho and Lee’s journey.

Unlike the famously erratic American chess legend Bobby Fischer, Cho and Lee lead relatively reserved lives though real-life scandal did touch the film, with Yoo Ah-in’s ongoing legal issues delaying its release by three years.

Ultimately, The Match is a subdued yet well-crafted meditation on rivalry, legacy, and respect. While it may not elevate Go into the realm of cinematic thrill nor rival the intense drama of the best chess films, it still offers a thoughtful and human look at what it means to face and be surpassed by your own creation.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee

Genre: Action/Adventure
Director:  Dean Fleischer Camp
Cast: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: Walt Disney
Official Website: 
Opening Day: 22 May 2025

Synopsis: A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic , “Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family.

Movie Review: 

As a devoted Disney fan, even this writer has to admit — the magic of the original animated classics often gets lost in translation when reimagined as live-action remakes. Many of these adaptations have met with lukewarm or even harsh receptions, with the most recent example being Marc Webb’s much-criticised take on Snow White, which sparked considerable backlash online.

Still, Disney presses on, churning out live-action versions of its treasured tales. The most likely reason? Profit. These films may not always win over critics or fans, but they continue to draw audiences — and revenue. That seems especially true with this latest addition to the lineup.

The origins of this movie trace back to an animated classic released over two decades ago. In 2002, Disney introduced Lilo & Stitch — an animated film directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois that told the heartwarming story of Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl orphaned and raised by her older sister Nani, and “Experiment 626,” a mischievous extraterrestrial creature whom Lilo adopts and renames Stitch. The film was both a critical and commercial success, resonating with audiences through its unique blend of humor, heart, and ‘ohana’ (family). Unsurprisingly, it blossomed into a beloved franchise and a merchandising powerhouse — thanks in large part to the irresistibly cute and chaotic Stitch.

Dean Fleischer Camp directs the remake, working from a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes. The story largely remains faithful to the original 2002 film, with a few character tweaks and minor plot adjustments. It seems Disney is betting that fans of the original don't need a drastic overhaul to be drawn back to the big screen. This approach also offers an opportunity for longtime viewers - now parents themselves - to share the magic with their own children. Most importantly, they are likely to pick up a few new plush toys and collectibles along the way.

Disney made a smart move in choosing Lilo & Stitch for a remake — especially with Stitch as its centrepiece. He’s an ideal character to bring to life with visual effects, and thanks to the impressive work by Industrial Light & Magic, he’s more adorable than ever. With his signature sneers, growls, and those irresistibly odd little noises, Stitch manages to steal every scene he’s in. If this loveable alien were available as a real-life pet, you can bet kids everywhere would be begging their parents to take one home.

They say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” — and Disney seems to have taken that to heart. Many iconic scenes from the original Lilo & Stitch make a return in the remake, some lovingly recreated and others given a playful update. Lilo still shows Nani how Stitch resembles a gramophone while Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” plays in the background, David (who harbours feelings for Nani) once again performs his fire knife dance, and the unlucky beachgoer who once dropped his ice cream now reappears — this time losing a snow cone instead.

Audiences who appreciate familiarity will be pleased to know that this remake doesn't stray far from the original. With few surprises, it offers a safe, family-friendly adventure that still delivers the heartwarming message of the importance of ‘ohana.’

Maia Kealoha is absolutely delightful as Lilo, while Sydney Elizabeth Agudong and Kaipo Dudoit bring genuine chemistry to their roles as Nani and David. Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen provide plenty of laughs as the eccentric Dr Jumba Jookiba and Agent Wendell Pleakley, tasked with capturing Stitch on Earth. Sanders, who co-directed the original film, returns as the voice of Stitch, and fans will enjoy cameos from original cast members Tia Carrere, Jason Scott Lee, and Amy Hill in supporting roles. The result feels like a warm, nostalgic family reunion — perfectly echoing the film’s core theme of ‘ohana.’

Movie Rating:

(Disney’s remake of Lilo & Stitch stays largely faithful to the beloved 2002 animated classic, and it delivers a charming, family-friendly experience that honours the spirit of the original)

Review by John Li 

SYNOPSIS: After the loss of his mother, Joe Scaravella (played by Vince Vaughn) risks everything to honor her by opening an Italian restaurant with a group of local grandmothers as the chefs. Based on a true story, NONNAS is a heartfelt celebration of the love of food, family and all the ingredients of life. 

MOVIE REVIEW:

When you think of Vince Vaughn, you probably picture a fast-talking guy who can wriggle out of any sticky situation with charm and wit. He’s long been known as a comedic leading man but in recent years, Vaughn has taken a more serious turn with dramatic roles. In Nonnas, he plays another grounded type of character in a heartfelt comedic drama based on the true story of Joe Scaravella, the owner of the Staten Island Italian-American restaurant, Enoteca Maria.

After inheriting insurance money from his late mother, Joe (played by Vaughn) affectionately known as Joey decides to open a restaurant in her honor. Inspired by the home-cooked meals of his childhood, Joey wants the place to feel more like a cozy family kitchen than a formal eatery. To bring this vision to life, he enlists the help of four grandmothers or “nonnas” played by Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, and Talia Shire. Together, they create a rotating menu of authentic Italian homemade dishes.

Despite support from his best friend and contractor Bruno (Joe Manganiello), Joey’s dream restaurant faces its share of challenges: a burned oven, a corrupt building inspector and most pressing of all, a lack of customers. But in true feel-good movie fashion, things eventually come together in this predictable yet wholesome tale.

Director Stephen Chbosky, working from a screenplay written by his wife Liz Maccie, clearly aims to capture the warmth, energy, and chaotic charm of Italian families. The four nonnas especially Bracco’s Roberta and Vaccaro’s Antonella light up the screen with their cheeky banter and affectionate squabbling. Curiously though, while the film features plenty of Italian food, the dishes themselves aren’t really the focal point.

Vaughn’s signature comedic energy is notably dialed down, intentionally so. Nonnas isn’t the kind of film that calls for rapid-fire one-liners. Linda Cardellini adds a gentle touch as Joey’s childhood friend (and conveniently timed love interest) who reenters his life just when he needs her most. Manganiello plays a tough-guy persona with a soft heart while Sarandon brings her usual gravitas, elevating even a supporting role with ease.

Nonnas is a pleasant, feel-good film that never quite rises above its formula. It misses the chance to explore the rich cultural stories behind each nonna’s recipes and the humor never goes far beyond a few tame jokes mostly about food and friendly flirtations. Still, it’s a charming, visually warm film that delivers a sweet message about family, tradition and finding purpose later in life.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee

SYNOPSIS: Set in a world destroyed by climate change. Part of society has created a parallel world for itself. Life is controlled and optimized, and the desire to have children is also not left to chance. The lives of a successful young couple are therefore put under close scrutiny by a female assessor over the course of seven days.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Imagine a married couple who wishes to have children but must first host an assessor in their home for seven days to determine if they’re fit to become parents.

That’s the premise of The Assessment.

In a world where the old world has collapsed, the new world survives through advanced breakthroughs in medicine and food production. But with progress comes control. Natural conception is now forbidden. The only way to raise a child is by passing an intensive evaluation process overseen by a government-appointed assessor.

Among the top 0.1% of applicants are Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel), an accomplished couple with impressive credentials. Assigned to evaluate them is Virginia (Alicia Vikander) who will live with them for seven days. But this is no ordinary assessment. Virginia is a woman seemingly devoid of empathy, cold, intrusive and unsettlingly erratic. She often behaves like a child, throwing tantrums and engaging in reckless behavior. She even makes personal demands of Mia and Aaryan. The question quickly becomes: are these part of the test or just selfish manipulations?

To be clear, The Assessment is not an easy watch. It unfolds with a slow, deliberate pace, steeped in tension and ambiguity. The dystopian world it depicts is never fully explained. You’re left to piece together what went wrong through fragments of dialogue and subtle hints perhaps during an uneasy dinner conversation. For the most part, the film locks you into the increasingly volatile triangle of Mia, Aaryan and Virginia.

As the evaluation progresses, the tests become more disturbing. Mia and Aaryan’s relationship begins to fray under the scrutiny. Accusations and trust issues emerge. Is Virginia exposing uncomfortable truths or is she simply destabilizing the couple for her own amusement? The film raises more questions than it answers, drawing unsettling parallels to real-world anxieties around parenting, privacy and societal expectations.

The finale attempts to tie up some narrative threads but many mysteries remain unresolved perhaps intentionally so.

Alicia Vikander, no stranger to introspective sci-fi (as in Ex Machina), delivers a chilling and layered performance. Elizabeth Olsen is effective as Mia, a botanist who’s created a stunning greenhouse sanctuary. Himesh Patel takes on perhaps one of his most complex roles to date as Aaryan, an artist who designs virtual pets. Director Fleur Fortuné, in her feature debut, presents a thoughtful and atmospheric work. The film’s striking production design and minimal reliance on visual effects lend it a grounded, tactile quality.

Still, The Assessment’s measured pacing and cerebral themes won’t appeal to everyone. It’s a film that asks for patience and rewards close attention but not necessarily with comfort or clarity.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee

SYNOPSIS: Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years. Andy, Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) enlist the help of Tuah (Henry Golding), an old friend who may provide the key to unlocking the mystery behind immortal existence. 

MOVIE REVIEW:

The battle between mortals and immortals resumes in The Old Guard 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2020 original. While original director Gina Prince-Bythewood is absent this time around, the core cast returns to face new enemies and settle old scores.

In the first film, the immortal warriors battled a ruthless pharmaceutical mogul. This time, the team consisting of Andy (Charlize Theron), Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and ex-CIA agent Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) confronts a far greater threat: Discord (Uma Thurman), the first immortal who sees her kind as a threat to her and seeks to eliminate them.

Joining the fray are Tuah (Henry Golding), an immortal librarian and Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), the disgraced former team member looking for redemption. Also returning is Quynh (Veronica Ngô), Andy’s former partner who was last seen trapped at the bottom of the ocean. Now freed, she’s bent on revenge, blaming Andy for her centuries-long suffering.

After five long years in development, the sequel arrives with the weight of expectation but delivers yet another underwhelming chapter in the saga of these deathless warriors. The film is bogged down by endless exposition and heavy-handed dialogue with each character saddled with a tragic backstory that slows the pace to a crawl. Tuah monologues about Discord’s ancient past, Booker attempts to atone for past betrayals and Quynh, freshly unshackled from her watery prison seems conveniently willing to follow Discord’s lead.

Both Andy and Nile, central figures in the first film feel sidelined here. Despite Nile’s supposedly prominent role, her arc barely leaves a mark. The narrative lacks momentum and the character motivations are murky at best. Worst of all, after nearly two hours, The Old Guard 2 ends abruptly, clearly setting up a third installment possibly five years from now.

Even the production values have taken a noticeable hit. The film resembles a low-budget TV pilot more than a Hollywood action blockbuster. While the action scenes are competent, they lack flair or innovation. The visuals are flat and the CGI is often jarring. For a film headlined by Charlize Theron, it feels like a disservice both to her and to audiences who waited years for a sequel.

In the end, The Old Guard 2 feels like a missed opportunity: a story that promised myth and mayhem but instead delivers melodrama and mediocrity.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee

Genre: Action/Thriller
Director: Len Wiseman
Cast: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Robert Maaser, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves
Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins
Rating: M18 (Violence)
Released By: Encore Films
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 5 June 2025

Synopsis: Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3– Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

Movie Review:

Truth be told, don’t confuse From the World of John Wick: Ballerina with the similarly titled 2023 Korean action film Ballerina. While both feature a revenge-driven female lead and stylized action, the former is a high-octane spin-off set in the John Wick universe and it’s just as compelling.

Starring Ana de Armas, Ballerina had high expectations from the start. As a continuation of the stylish, deadly world introduced by John Wick, the film sets itself apart with a fierce new protagonist and a unique flair.

De Armas plays Eve Macarro, an assassin trained in the deadly tradition of the Ruska Roma under the watchful eye of the Director (Anjelica Huston) and her assistant Nogi (Sharon Duncan-Brewster). After passing her brutal initiation, Eve embarks on her first official mission. But she has her own agenda: revenge. Her target? A shadowy figure known only as the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne), a powerful man at the helm of a secretive, lethal organization.

Guided by Winston (Ian McShane), Eve tracks down a reclusive man named Daniel Pine (Norman Reedus) who’s holed up in the Continental Hotel Budapest. Pine may hold the key to locating the Chancellor and Eve isn’t about to let the opportunity slip.

However, while Shay Hatten’s story expands the John Wick universe, it does so in a somewhat drawn-out and predictable manner. The plot is fairly linear essentially Eve moving from point A to point B, fighting her way through each encounter. Dialogue and character development take a backseat to the relentless action, making the narrative feel thin at times.

That said, Ballerina delivers what fans came for: the action. And there’s no shortage of it. From an explosive opening shootout featuring a younger Eve to a dazzling nightclub brawl to the snowy showdown in a village that resembles Hallstatt (likely filmed in the Czech Republic or Hungary), the stunt team at 87eleven once again proves why they’re at the top of the game.

Eve’s weapons of choice? A pair of razor-sharp ice skates and a flamethrower. Yes, you read that right. The latter is bound to become one of the most memorable action moments in cinematic history, bold, breathtaking and absolutely bonkers in the best way possible. If every John Wick installment has a signature scene, Ballerina delivers it in fiery style.

So, the million-dollar question: Does Ana de Armas embody the ballerina-assassin? Absolutely. Her physicality and commitment to the role are undeniable especially when you consider the scale of the stunts and the sheer volume of gunplay she’s involved in. One standout scene in an Austrian restaurant even injects a touch of unexpected humor. Whether scripted or improvised, the film could’ve used more of that cheeky self-awareness.

And what about John Wick himself? Since Ballerina takes place between Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, Keanu Reeves does make an appearance. His role brought in by the Director to stop Eve from escalating her war with the Chancellor is clearly designed as a crowd-pleasing cameo. It’s more marketing than necessity but it’s still a welcome addition.

Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) is credited as director, but it’s been widely reported that original John Wick helmer Chad Stahelski stepped in for significant reshoots and re-editing, delaying the release by a year. Fortunately, the final product doesn’t show signs of a troubled production. The cinematography is striking, the world-building continues to impress and the action choreography remains elite. Though the story itself may lack depth, it holds together well enough to justify the ride.

With Ballerina, Ana de Armas is poised to lead more globe-trotting chaos in future chapters and if this film is any indication, she’s more than up to the task.

Movie Rating:

(Action cinema is alive and well and in this rare spin-off, it might just have found its next leading lady)

Review by Linus Tee

Genre: Crime/Drama
Director: Herman Yau
Cast: Andy Lau, Oho Ou, Ni Ni, Huang Yi, Kent Cheng, Jiang Mengjie, Jasper Liu
Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins
Rating: PG (Some Sexual References)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 12 June 2025

Synopsis: Gao Han, a top student in finance with integrity and outstanding professional ability, is determined to make a difference in the financial field. He interns at an investment bank after graduation. Among the interns who are all graduates from world-renowned universities, either from prominent families that can bring business, or recommended by internal executives, Gao Han seems to be different and shabby. Fortunately, he is appreciated by the chief analyst Zhang Todd and participates in the evaluation of IPO projects. Under the guidance of Zhang Todd, Gao Han quickly adapts to the high-pressure and fast-paced daily life, honing solid professional skills and negotiation skills.

Movie Review:

Veteran Hong Kong director Herman Yau and superstar Andy Lau have maintained a strong working relationship since the effects-heavy action film Shock Wave (2017). But instead of revisiting the explosive territory of Shock Wave or The White Storm franchise, Yau takes a different route this time, partnering with Lau on a finance-themed drama. It’s a somewhat refreshing shift especially given Yau’s frequent forays into formulaic action fare.

Although Lau is top-billed, it’s China’s rising star Oho Ou who takes the lead. Ou plays Gao Han, a gifted young intern at the international investment bank Bluestone. His mentor is the sharp-witted, principled equity analyst Todd Zhang, played by Lau. Under Zhang’s guidance, Gao transforms from an unremarkable newbie into a standout performer, catching the eye of Helen Li (Huang Yi), the icy and ambitious Managing Director of Bluestone.

Li soon entices Gao to join her team, unsurprisingly using money as bait. Gao, tempted by wealth and status, compromises his integrity and begins working under the manipulative and unscrupulous Li. Together, they embark on a lucrative IPO deal involving a new energy company owned by the father of Gao’s best friend (played by Jasper Liu).

For much of the first hour, it’s unclear where Yau is taking the plot of A Glided Game. Is it a Wall Street homage? A Margin Call clone? Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately Yau seems more influenced by Oliver Stone’s Wall Street, where money is power and insider trading is still very much a reality.

Gao eventually faces the consequences of his decisions as Li treats him like a disposable pawn. Meanwhile, Zhang, for reasons never fully explained, drifts through the film with little narrative purpose other than occasional romantic interludes with his love interest (played by Ni Ni). One suspects Lau’s screen time is extended primarily to capitalize on his star power, as the script offers little substance for his character. That said, his salt-and-pepper look is undeniably dashing.

The film only finds its footing in the final act, where it finally delivers a competent story arc involving insider trading and a hostile takeover of a Chinese company by foreign entities. The political subtext is evident, but Yau at least injects enough dramatic tension to hold the viewer’s attention until the end.

A Glided Game isn’t a particularly deep dive into the financial world nor is it likely to inspire applications to Goldman Sachs. Lau is no Gordon Gekko and Ou is certainly no Jordan Belfort. For the most part, Yau seems more interested in delivering a moral tale about the battle between good and evil, hammering home the message that one should always do the right thing.

In the end, the film’s storylines are too predictable and one-note to leave a lasting impression. While there are moments of intrigue and a competent finale, A Glided Game ultimately plays it too safe to stand out in the genre.

Movie Rating:

(Money never sleeps but A Glided Game is dozin)

Review by Linus Tee