Starring: Richie Jen, Zheng Peipei, Cecilia Cheung, Kathy Chow, Xiao Mingyu Director: Frankie Chan

    A WORD of warning: this movie is not for the faint-hearted. There is plenty of blood and gore and it is action all the way.

    That said, there are also plenty of touching scenes and amazing battles to behold.

    This is a movie about the legendary Yang family, who sacrificed everything to protect their home and country during the Song Dynasty.

    When the males in the family die in battle, their widows and the younger generation take over.

    The movie begins with the fall of Tianmenguan Pass where Yang Zongbao (Richie Jen) battles to the bitter end.

    On the home front, his wife Mu Guiying (Cecilia Cheung) receives a pigeon carrying a lock of her hair — a token of love between the couple — and she realizes that she has lost the man she loves.

    Official news of his death reaches home on the day the family prepares for his son Wenguang’s (Xiao Mingyu) 18th birthday. The celebration turns into a mourning.

    Immediately, the family receives a royal decree that Wenguang is to spearhead an attack against the enemy with a small army — a move everybody recognizes as a ploy by Commander Wang Kun to destroy the last of the family’s male offspring.

    In an attempt to protect the boy, the whole family of women, led by the matriach Taijun (Zheng Peipei), dons their armor and marches into battle.

    The heroic exploits of the Yang family have been well-documented through movies and TV dramas over the years and the stories have become familiar and well-loved.

    Naturally, with each adaptation, there will be liberties taken but ultimately, it is a story of herioism and sacrifice.

    Despite the deaths and betrayals, the essence of the tale is uplifting and the unity of the family is such that it brings a sense of pride and admiration for the women.

    Be prepared to be moved to tears but also be prepared to laugh through the tears at the ingenuity of the battle strategies.

    And do not be in a hurry to leave after the credits start to roll as this is a Jackie Chan production and some gems are bound to be revealed at the very end.

    The movie is now being screened in Shenzhen. (SD-Agencies)