John Liu, famed for his amazing kicking skills, stars as the leader of a motley gang of five ordinary guys who are hired to spring a revolutionary commander from a warlord's mountaintop fortress. The plot is decidedly simple and makes for a lean and mean fighting flick.

The five men each have different personality traits, and include a bumbling coffin maker and a juggler. Despite their swagger and bravado when Liu meets them for the first time, none are really professional fighters and he must train them ruthlessly for the task ahead.

They initially hate him for the hard work, but then learn to appreciate his firmness, discipline, and the marked improvement in their skills. A chance to make some money is a big factor driving their motives, but each one also wants to be a hero and not be looked down upon, and they all admirably prove their loyalty and courage when the chips are really down.

Once the training sequences are over, the movie picks up its pace with one fight after another as the men push their way through multiple ambushes and checkpoints. There's a massive battle within the fortress, but also a clever twist at the end, although the story drops a few clues here and there such that an alert viewer should see it coming.

Highly recommended.