Lacking the verve and gusto of his other films. Worthwhile seeing if you are a fan, as you can kinda see l’essence du Wong in its embryonic form. (This is the first film Wong shot with DP Christopher Doyle.) Oddly, the movie’s last half-hour is the best. Not because it builds, but because it kinda goes on an unexpected tangent. It’s a smart move, as people leave in a good frame of mind, perhaps ready to write-off some of the spark-free dull parts. . .the ending kinda kicks some ass (and not just because there is some stylish violence, although this helps.) I can’t say I want to watch this again, even when flipping around cable, but I’ll neither say I demand my time and money back.