At the risk of being overly critical, I am tempted to withold half a star because the choreography isn't among the best I've seen (as in "Drunken Master" 1 or 2, or in "Mad Monkey Kung Fu", or "Prodigal Son") and leaves something to be desired. That said, I still find myself engaged in every fight and sometimes cringing at the nasty blows people receive. The choreography reminds me of a Jimmy Wang Yu movie, being more chop-socky. This style is appropriate given that the iron palm technique, glorified in this movie, is delivered in simplicity as a single, straight thrusting blow.

This movie needs two separate review scores since the first half and second half are so very different. The first half is dialogue heavy. Rather than amusing me, it bored me. I'm sure it was supposed to build sympathy for the characters, but it had the opposite effect, revealing the girls as superficial and self-absorbed. By the time they are in mortal danger they have stopped blethering, and though I feel guilty to say it, I was just happy they finally shut up. (Note: my sympathy was stronger for the first victim--she seemed much nicer than the other girls--and I was shocked by the brutality of her murder). The first section gets 2/5.

The second half of the movie is pure action and it is very gripping. I sympathized with these girls more (maybe because they were stronger or maybe because their characters were more fully fleshed out). The finale reminded me of an old school kung fu movie. Kurt Russell was excellent in this. This part of the movie merits 4/5.