I can see how the director wanted to make this deep and layered and whatever, but it ended up a total mess! Not to mention that these - many - chinese names can be difficult to remember for us non-asian viewers. I found myself lost not just once either with the action, or with the names, and the PACE is not to blame, since it's QUITE SLOW for an action movie...
The ML is handsome and a fine actor, BUT the plot doesnt favour him. Past and Present ML are hard to tell, since the modern ML wears such 80's outfits! Besides, as said, the action is a total mess, you never know who is gonna die next or who plots what. The few women around - all seem to like our ML, but he acts coy, while all men want to fight the ML!! Besides, the director ABUSES THE FLASHBACK TECHNIQUE, to the point we get TWO MOVIES, one in the open, one in the dark. Tsk tsk! Can you just let us immerse in the action without any interruption?
Sadly i consider dropping this, though i really wanted to enjoy some good action drama!