A callback to the classic Shaw Brothers kung fu films that's infused with slick filming techniques and a heaping dose of comedy, the new release Gallants is about as heavy as a down-filled pillow. If you're looking for a film with a deep story or in-depth displays of characterization, you'd better look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you're in the mood for just kicking back, popping open a couple of cold ones, and having a good time, then you're going to find a lot to like here.

In the movie, Wong Yau-Nam plays Leung, a real estate worker who is tasked with brokering a deal between a remote tea house and the land's new owner, who just happens to be a boy he bullied named Mang (Ou-Yang Ching, better known by his rapper stage name of MC Jin), and now the tables are turned, as Mang has been training in martial arts, while Leung is a scared wimp. It turns out the tea house used to be a kung fu school, and after Leung bonds with the two students left, Tiger and Dragon (Bruce Leung and Chen Kuan-Tai) and their master Law (Teddy Robin Kwan), he decides to enter a tournament to try and stop the sale of the school.

Gallants' story doesn't break the mold; I'm sure most of you out there will be able to guess how this movie ends. But even though the filmic destination is a known and inevitable quantity, it's still a fun journey, mostly due to the fact that every character in the movie is really likable, even the villains. MC Jin threatens to veer into Edison Chen territory at times via his use of English phrases like "peace out, y'all", but even he has a overall charm and swagger that makes him very amiable. In the case of the veteran actors, they really shine in performances that look like they had a tremendous time working on the movie, which translates directly to the audience's enjoyment. If you aren't already a fan of guys like Bruce Leung and Michael Chan, you definitely will be after watching Gallants.

Some note should also be made of Gallants' fight scenes, of which I'm sure many readers of this site will have interest in. While there is no way this movie can really be classified as having wall-to-wall action, the stuff in here (which was choreographed by master Yuen Tak) is really solid. While there are a few camera tricks like undercranking used here and there, as well as some aftermarket tweaking such as Street Fighter-esque "x-ray" views of the harder hits, there is a very refreshing lack of the CGI over-compensation far too many modern martial arts resort to using.

RATING: 7