But there's always been something holding him back from becoming a true mega-star. Most accounts would point to Yen himself, whose attitude on the set has been difficult to say the least on some productions. However, in the past few years, Yen's hubris looks to have subsided a bit and he seems to have found a copasetic directorial partner with Wilson Yip (SPL, Dragon Gate).

So his latest project, Flash Point, has been met with a great deal of anticipation by action junkies. Rest assured, it's not only a solid movie, but it has some of the best fight scenes put out by a Hong Kong production since the much-ballyhooed "golden age" of the mid-1980's to early 1990's. Yeah, it's that damn good.

I'm not even really going to go into any sort of details about the plot. It's the typical throwaway stuff you see far too often in movies like this. And frankly, for the first portion of the proceedings, you might find yourself going for the fast-forward button. But just hang on -- you're in for a great ride.

Like a lot of the pictures from the golden age, Flash Point hold back until the final act, and then it's on like Donkey Kong. This is balls-to-the-wall stuff that will have you yelling like a little kid seeing a Bruce Lee movie for the first time. The final fight between Yen and Ngai Sing (aka Collin Chou) ranks right up there with the Jackie Chan/Ken Lo brawl from Drunken Master II.

Yes, dear readers, I'm serious with that last statement. Flash Point not only proves that Hong Kong action cinema isn't dead, but it still has the ability to slap you upside the head and make you ask for more, all the while with a huge smile on your face. Do yourself a favor and see this movie now. You won't be disappointed.

Detective Sergeant Jun Ma (Yen) is a hard hitting cop who prefers to do his talking with his fists and isn't afraid to crack a few skulls to get the job done. However, as good as he is at his job there is still one Vietnamese gang who have so far eluded the scales of justice. In order for him to get the drop on them, Ma's partner Wilson (Koo) has gone undercover within the gang and after years of service appears to have gained their trust. Unfortunately, this lifestyle has taken it's toll on Wilson and when the proposed big bust of the gang begins, Wilson is exposed and becomes a target for the gang. Now it's up to Ma to put his job to one side and protect his friend at all costs whilst still attempting to stay inside the guidelines of the law.

Although I considered 'Sha Po Lang' to be a solid effort with decent action scenes, somehow it didn't quite cut it for me as it just seemed to lack that va-va-voom (for want of a better expression) that has always made the Hong Kong film industry such a powerhouse in the action genre. For this reason, I was perhaps a little apprehensive about the hype that surrounded 'Flash Point' and went into it expecting an over-stylised yet vacant affair with a couple of passable action scenes. Imagine my surprise then when the film turned out to be an incredibly slick production that not only looked the business but also boasted a story that combined with the action to great effect. Perhaps it's fair to say the plot isn't exactly original and threatens to become overly predictable in places but it's subtle and strong enough to keep the film flowing and certainly seems fresher than the "corrupt cop" scenario dished up by 'Sha Po Lang'. Another overall plus is the general pacing of the film as it has you siding with the heroes from the off and despite the lack action scenes, doesn't open up too many unexplored avenues that could allow the viewer to dwell on the weaker elements.

Performances from the leading cast are also very competent. Louis Koo, despite being an actor who I've never been overly enamoured with, performs extremely well throughout and thankfully avoids his tendency to lapse into spates of over-acting (as he did in the rather inane 'Rob-B-Hood'). Yen on the other hand isn't exactly known for his repertoire of varied characterisations but he is perfect for an action hero as he's moody and tough, and always conveys the feeling that he's a force to be reckoned with. It's also pleasing to see he doesn't pause to pose for the camera too frequently which is a criticism that he is often saddled with. Ngai Sing slots nicely into the mix as the bad guy who flaunts a very believable callous attitude as well as being a suitable opponent for Yen with his obvious abilities in the martial arts. Added to this, it's nice to see Kent Cheng back in action (and minus a few pounds I might add) who seems ideal for the role of an aging police chief as he has the presence of a superior officer whilst retaining that innocent likeability that has always made him stand out in every one of his roles.

As far as the action goes, 'Flash Point' isn't quite the no-holds-barred kung fu extravaganza that you might be hoping for but what little action is on offer is certainly enough to get the adrenaline pumping. In truth, there are only two main fight scenes to speak of but Yen has chosen to inject a touch of originality in his choreography by utilising a raw yet powerful style that concentrates on grappling rather than relying on his signature kicks. This works exceptionally well for the film's atmosphere and the final duel between Yen and Chou is particularly impressive as two desperate combatants give their all for the sake of victory. There's also a certain degree of gunplay on offer that whilst not quite in the same league as John Woo, is very entertaining and the use of a sniper rifle during one of the sequences is nothing short of genius.

'Flash Point' isn't a perfect film in the classical cinematic sense but it is a damn fine action movie that doesn't short change the viewer in any department. I often seem to be guilty of stating that each new promising Hong Kong action film has the industry back on track but 'Flash Point' is clearly a step in the right direction and I'll certainly be looking forward to any future collaborations from Yen and Yip.

Donny Yen is his own biggest fan, and rightly so. The dude is ripped and moves like lightening, and at 44-years old he is more fit than most men half his age; he just keeps getting faster and more powerful. If this trend continues, I can't wait to see him fight God - Slammin' at the Gates of Heaven, 2047. If there was ever a showpiece for Yen's mixed martial arts skills, Flash Point is it. As a kind-of-kind-of-not sequel/prequel to S.P.L. (or Killzone if you live in R1 territory - Donny really needs to take care of the jackass who picked this atrocious title - and by “take care of” I mean punch in the throat), Flash Point follows the same kind of set up, but goes for a more balls-out action approach. While S.P.L may have disappointed those expecting a non-stop action fest (it is a surprisingly effective drama, punctuated with action), Flash Point may slightly disappoint those looking for a deeper narrative (and be prepared to have Donny waste your face for being less than thrilled).

Sorry Donny, but the first half of the film is not so great, I mean, only when compared to the totally amazing, awesome, jaw-droppingly badass second half. You know, anything compared to a diamond is sure to appear flawed. The problem is that the film tries to be more complex and aloof than the story calls for. It tries to be a mini-Infernal Affairs, but lacks that film's wonderful characterizations (although Donny Yen could totally own Andy Lau and Tony Leung in the ring). Infernal Affairs this is not, and why it tries to be is a bit puzzling. With S.P.L., the same filmmaking team proved that they could craft a highly effective, character-driven drama, but with Flash Point they missed the mark. But what's worse is that the narrative is far too convoluted for its own good, and the absurd amounts of HK-gangland cliche rubs thin, fast.

However, once the fists and knees start flying, the “flash point” if you will, the film brings the goods with an almost non-stop slamdance of bone-crushing, flesh-pummeling action which culminates in one of the greatest final showdowns I've ever seen. Actually, each of the fight scenes in this film feel dangerous and powerful. There are no throwaway conflicts here, but each subsequent bout of flying fists, wicked kicks, back-breaking reversals, and knees to the head escalates the dramatic-drive and tension. Donny Yen actually has to fight for his life in this film because the thugs he faces are almost as dangerous as he is. The final fight between Donny and Collin Chou is something straight out of an action fan's most wonderful dream. It actually reminds me of the part in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World when Jonathan Winters tears apart the gas station. Yen and Chou totally beat the living tar out of one another, expertly, and painfully, using the environment to get the upper hand. This is a true, three-dimensional fight, one in which the use of setting greatly enhances the final product.

Wilson Yip, the film's director, has fostered a style that depicts things in a hyper-realistic fashion. I wouldn't call his visual flair unique, or particularly interesting, but it is definitely exciting and effective. I don't know how much of the film was actually directed by Yip, and I would bet Donny took control a lot of the time. I don't say this to disparage Yip, I think he is a fine director, but instead I say this to point out that Yip and Yen are actually a team. These two filmmakers have something incredibly fortunate going on right now. Where at one time I thought that Johnny To was the only one who could keep Hong Kong genre films alive and vital, I am now ready to add the Yip-Yen team, I mean the Yen-Yip team (sorry Donny) to this embarrassingly short roster of important contemporary Hong Kong filmmakers. It's nice to be excited about an HK flick again, and I don't think it is any wonder that I said the same thing last year after viewing S.P.L. Flash Point rocks, and rocks hard. Just make sure to stick through the less than stellar first half because the pay off is more than worthy of your time and money.

However, you’ve got to wait until the hour mark for all that. For action junkies, your patience is severely tested, but the wait is well worth every minute you’re put on hold. I’ve caught the trailer at this year’s Hong Kong Filmart, and it was one that had action and more action, with nary a line of dialogue. But in the movie, much time is devoted to attempts in building characterization, until the story realizes it better give what the audiences are here for, to see Donnie Yen kick ass.

Having teamed with Wilson Yip in earlier action productions like SPL and Dragon Tiger Gate, Donnie Yen returns as action choreographer for Flash Point, and the cast adopts the fighting style called MMA - Mixed Martial Arts, which is something of a blend of various martial arts techniques, that audiences probably haven’t seen before stylistically in close combat scenes. Flash Point boasts some incredible action sequences with explosive hard hitting fight combinations, and the sole complaint I have is I can’t get enough of it! What more, as learnt from SPL having real martial arts exponents like Sammo Hung and Wu Jing fighting opposite himself, it made the sequences look more authentic, and the pace at which they can go at each other much more frantic. Collin Chou (Seraph from the Matrix movies) stars as one of the chief baddies, and watching the two awesome gladiators duke it out is nothing short of edge of your seat material - you’ll feel their pain!

But as I mentioned, you’ll have to be patient during the story’s buildup. Writer Szeto Kam Yuen (SPL, Exiled, Dog Bite Dog) weaves in yet another undercover story into Flashpoint, with Louis Koo’s Wilson as the mole within a gang of Vietnamese brothers Ja Ge (Ray Lui, in an over the top impersonation of Tony Leung’s Big D in Johnny To’s Election), Tony (Collin Chou) and Tiger (Xing Yu). A simple romance tale is worked into for Wilson with Fan Bing Bing as love interest Julie, but as expected, action movies seldom have much time devoted for love scenes.

Without a doubt, Ma Jun as a character overshadows them all with his motivations and drive. His temper is as quick as his reflexes, and he doesn’t tolerate bullshit from the top brass, which resulted in rather muted (or negligible) action for about three quarters of the movie because his behavior is reined in by order. And there is a scene though which will make you question his excessiveness, and wonder if his doggedness in pursuit and apprehension actually clouds his ethical and moral judgment.

Flash Point is still an awesome action movie when the time came for it to deliver the goods, highlighting that Hong Kong action films still have what it takes to innovate within the genre. Oh, and stay tuned during the end credit roll for scenes of outtakes, which shows plenty of training that the cast had to undergo to perfect their MMA techniques. Sure packs quite a formidable punch in this compact 90 minute movie.