Fans of the franchise will love what Gans brings to the screen, with beautiful visual and artistic concept and execution, combined with a hypnotically resounding score to orchestrate the film's theme. Co-stars Rae Dawn Chong, Byron Mann, Tchéky Karyo, Masaya Kato, Julie Condra and Yôko Shimada all do wonderful jobs in bringing the story of Crying Freeman to life, to the best of their ability.

The action is adequately entertaining, although it does not necessarily do much justice for Hong Kong action fans, particularly, fans of the film, Drive: Director's Cut, which has ten times more electrifying action sequences with a higher standard for martial arts action set by the film's stunt team, Alpha Stunts.

Many of the film's fight scenes are shot in grandiose slow motion camerawork, which may put a damper on the expectations of those who have been around to see the crossover of Hong Kong action into the US; In which case, unless you're a fan of the franchise, the two modest sex scenes in the film should keep even the most jaded viewer awake for the film's duration ;-).

All in all, Crying Freeman is essentially an "art" action film, which has made its mark in martial arts cinema history; For modest and hardcore fans only.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: "Xavier Gens's 'Hitman'", "Equilibrium", "Brotherhood Of The Wolf", "Naked Weapon", "Naked Killer", "Shadow Fury", "City Hunter", "Guyver: Dark Hero", "Fist Of The North Star", "Blade", "Blade 2", "The Ultimate Target", "The Princess Blade", "Legend Of The Wolf", "Drive: Director's Cut", "Soldier", "Black Mask", "Kill Bill", "LoveDeath", "Ryû ga gotoku: gekijô-ban (a.k.a. Like A Dragon)", and the upcoming action thriller, "Broken Path", starring Johnny Yong Bosch and directed by Koichi Sakamoto.