A good story spoilt by lacklustre execution

This nondescript Taiwanese kung fu flick has a simple premise, one that looks to have been inspired by the classic LONE WOLF & CUB series by the Japanese. Essentially, two people must transport gold across the country, while a hundred and one assorted traitors, bandits, thugs, henchmen, criminal masterminds, assassins, and prostitutes try to steal it off them. What follows is a simple plot, nothing more than a series of fight scenes strung together over a threadbare premise. If the fights were decent, this wouldn't matter; unfortunately, they ain't. Not much of this film is of a high quality. The direction is uninspired, the script silly, and the martial arts undistinguished (one of these films where limbs are stiff and made out of wood and lots of people jump around).

What's most galling is that this could have been a great film – precisely because of the set-up. The fact that our two heroes are acrobats invites some excellent moments, such as when the hero jumps off the roof of a building to land on an enemy's chest, or the insane jumps that they frequently make. Yet these gravity-defying scenes occupy only a few minutes of the proceedings and are mainly limited to the (great) opening sequence. The appearance of a female ass-kicker – Shu Lin Chang, who rivals SISTER STREET FIGHTER – also bodes well and, indeed, she's the most appealing aspect of the whole movie. The hero is wooden, though, and would have been better off in an ensemble piece – I can see him as an archer or ninja or something. The overacting of the villains is another plus, with their facial expressions adding much amusement to the flick. As a whole, though, CHASE STEP BY STEP is deservedly obscure, with absolutely nothing to distinguish it from the hundreds of other low-budget kung fu flicks churned out during the decade.

Mandarin-language cinema across Mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore explores historical reflection, cultural identity, and personal sacrifice, often expressed through poetic visuals and sweeping narratives. In Mainland China, this takes the form of allegory and large-scale epics that reflect on national history. Taiwan emphasizes intimate modernist realism, generational change, and the search for identity. Singapore contributes stories of migration, multiculturalism, and the negotiation of tradition in a globalized city.

The action genre features fast-paced, thrilling, and intense sequences of physical feats, combat, and excitement. The characters of these stories are involved in daring and often dangerous situations, requiring them to rely on their physical prowess, skills, and quick thinking to overcome challenges and adversaries.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

Two circus performers are tasked with escorting relief in the form of gold bullion to a region hit by drought. On the way they are beset by countless bandits.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Bu bu zhui zong

Photos3

Top Cast23

User reviews5

Related interests

Storyline

Top picks

FAQ1

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed