5. Wild Swords (Yunbo Li, China)
“Wild Swords” does not reinvigorate the genre, nor does it reach the extremely high standards of the masterpieces of the category. However, it is a more than worthy effort, visually impressive and definitely accomplished regarding the action element. Not much more one could ask from a wuxia. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
4. Wira (Andrian Teh, Malaysia)
“Wira” has its faults, but the combination of Ruhian's action choreographies, his own, Hairul Azreen, Fify Azmi and Ismi Melinda's (Vee) performance and a number of impressive action sequences result in a great spectacle that is bound to satisfy all fans of martial arts films. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
3. Geran (Areel Abu Bakar, Malaysia)
Car races, illegal fighting, and few action scenes here and there, of which the one in the house allows Feiyna Tajudin to shine as Fatimah, particularly due to the slapping she “admonishes”, is the most impressive, take care of the action aspect in the movie, at least until the last part. It is in this last section of the movie that Azian Komeng's action choreography, Khoharullah Majid's abilities as Ali, Areel Abu Bakar's cinematography, and Nik Johan's frantic editing find their apogee… “Geran” is a great action movie, that thrives both on the martial arts aspect, but also on context, in a trait not so frequently associated with the action category, but something Malaysian cinema seems to have the knack for, as witnessed also in films like “Bunohan” and “One Two Jagga“. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
2. Crazy Samurai Musashi (Yuji Shimomura)
With its breathtaking single-take fight sequence and Tak Sakaguchi's awe-inspiring performance, “Crazy Samurai Musashi” proves not only a breath of fresh air in the legendary samurai's lore, but also one of the best action films in recent years, and possibly one of the greatest video game-inspired movie ever made. (Martin Lukanov)
1. Time to Hunt (Yoon Sung-hyun, S.Korea)
“Time to Hunt” is a film that lives to its title. In this adrenaline laden genre film with a wild body count, the tempo accelerates mercilessly in a never-ending hunt. Yoon Sung-hyun might be influenced by many directors, both from Asia and the US (most notably by James Cameron's “Terminator”, and according to his own words by Spielberg's “Jaws” in terms of building the suspense), but his third feature production that has had its world premiere at the Berlinale (Special Gala section) has the two traditions merging into a curious hybrid. (Marina D. Richter)
