"Flash Point", hot on the heels of "SPL", is another step--make that leap--ahead in action. The battles that take place here are so realistic, you find yourself wincing as in a horror film, and feeling the performer's pain. The plot is very thin, and if you look closer, this may have intended to be some sort of indirect sequel to "SPL", as Yen's character is another rogue cop and is reckless in his hard-assed approach to dealing with the baddies. Louis Koo is good as Yen's partner, and he seems to reel the film in somewhat until the end.

What fans will really get excited about is the finale, the showdown between Yen and Colin Chou, Seraph from the "Matrix" sequels. The mixed-martial confrontation from these men is so adrenaline-packed, nothing outside of the showdown between Sammo and Donnie in "SPL" comes close.

This is a film to watch just for the popcorn action, like a Jackie Chan actioner, not to be taken too seriously. Just enjoy the fighting.

The film starts with two aging martial arts masters who meet every ten years or so to test their skills against one another, always ending in a draw. One is proficient in swordplay (Sammo) and the other in Shaolin Pole (Lau). They come up with an idea to pass their skills on to proteges so the students' skills define whose instruction is best. The students are played by the two leads who switch roles becoming the opposite's protege, only thing is both are reluctant in being the master's new lackeys.

Toss in Liang Jia Ren as a villian who has a history with both sifus, and you can bet where the ending goes.

The sword/pole displays by Sammo and Lau are excellent as they switch weapons as the other's student. I cannot think of another film where both men have shown such a command of the weapons.

The comedy is very good as well, especially with the elder Sammo forcing the student Lau to become his student by destroying his business, home, and life, until Lau agrees to learn just to take revenge on him!

This is really good stuff and for kung fu fans an opportunity to see the greats in their prime showcasing what kung fu flicks are all about. Not to be missed.

The action by Tang Chia, and Liu Chia Liang is very precise in its depiction of the Shaolin styles from that era. Many originally thought the scenes to be too crafty and "stylish", however, this is the true way those fist forms are performed. Each fighter performs to their natural capabilities, Chen Kuan Tai especially showing strength behind every punch, grasp, and kick.

These men also seemed so comfortable playing each character, no wonder they were brought back for future sequels, resuming the roles.

Not much room for women here as the "brotherhood" came first and foremost!

"Men From The Monastery" is a traditional, classic film from an era before the acrobatics of JC, and WP, and loaded with the type of charismatic performances that producers today would kill for.

The action here is somewhat a hybrid between the original "One Armed Swordsman" and "Come Drink With Me", with cutaway shots, boundful leaps, and hidden darts, thrown with the deadliest precision.

Director Cheng Chang Ho, who would later bring us "King Boxer", gives us just enough of everything to make "The Swift Knight" interesting.

The sets, once again a Shaw staple, look great. However, the day-for-night shots are terrible, thanks to the remastering--it's clearly daytime. This film is quite reminiscent of "The Long Chase", also starring Lo, along with Yueh Wah as his nemesis.

If you like knight tales by the Shaws, "The Swift Knight" will whet your appetite. Three stars for story, and three stars for the acting. Overall production values typical for the era from a SB release.