Richard Yu
Tomatometer-approved critic
Richard is a co-founder and Asia Editor of Cinema Escapist, a publication that seeks to explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens. Richard writes about films from Asia for a global audience, and lives in Hong Kong.
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Raging Fire (2021) |
Donnie Yen's latest film is heavy on action but begs the question of whether the HK cop drama genre is overdone and in need of a refresh. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Nov 12, 2021
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The Rescue (2020) |
Between action-packed rescues, acrobatic stunts, and scenes where civilians laud the bravery and heroism of China's Coast Guard, The Rescue at least makes for good propaganda, even if it's lacking in dramatic complexity. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Dec 29, 2020
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The Old Town Girls (2020) |
The Old Town Girls will not leave you fulfilled or satisfied, but the essence of a good neo-noir film is not a "feel-good" experience. Films like these are meant to be dark and depressing, and The Old Town Girls delivers on that promise. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Dec 24, 2020
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76 Days (2020) |
76 Days excels at putting the toll of the pandemic into human terms. Most people only saw the pandemic in terms of daily case counts, however, behind every statistic is a human face. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 27, 2020
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The Eight Hundred (2020) |
"Overall, the film is still worth a watch if you're interested in Chinese history and politics. If the political message doesn't interest you, at least The Eight Hundred has decent special effects amidst explosions and gun battles." - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 07, 2020
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My Prince Edward (2020) |
My Prince Edward is a well produced showcase of some of the struggles that young women in Hong Kong...grapple with as they break out from the conservative mindsets of their parents' generation to forge their own independent paths in life. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Aug 10, 2020
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The Closet (2020) |
The Closet is a softer introduction to horror. There's no jump-scares or blood and guts...instead, the film focuses on Sang-won's personal journey in becoming a better dad for Ina. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Feb 20, 2020
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This Is Not What I Expected (2017) |
The film's heavenly portrayal of cuisine is better than any aperitif to prepare you for dinner - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Dec 30, 2019
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Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) |
Ip Man 4 captures the zeitgeist of the "yellow peril" that's swept across a contemporary America threatened by the economic and geopolitical rise of the People's Republic of China. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Dec 20, 2019
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I'm Livin' It (2019) |
I'm Livin' It constantly reminds us of the value of emotional wealth over material wealth. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Dec 14, 2019
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Wet Season (2019) |
While Hollywood continues to highlight the glittering side of Singapore, local films like Wet Season will provide a valuable outlet for the less joyful moments of life - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Dec 08, 2019
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Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (2019) |
Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains demonstrates deep roots in Chinese culture...besides being set in a literal shan shui environment, the film also assumes the essence of a shan shui painting - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Dec 07, 2019
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Better Days (2019) |
While taking an emotional toll, the all-too-realistic bullying scenes also make the film more realistic and empathetic for audience members. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Nov 11, 2019
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The Shadow Play (2018) |
The Shadow Play is not a movie that you kick back and watch on Netflix at the end of a long day; it's a film that requires involvement and thought on the part of the viewer. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Nov 04, 2019
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The Battle of Jangsari (2019) |
While on the surface Jangsari is "just another war movie,'' it's important because it recognizes that adolescents can rise to the task when their families and futures are threatened. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Oct 11, 2019
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The Climbers (2019) |
The Climbers had the potential to be a gripping drama-thriller and project China's soft power while doing so, but instead the overt focus on fighting for national pride makes the film a flop. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Oct 01, 2019
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Tazza: One Eyed Jack (2019) |
Between the entertaining characters and rollercoaster plot, Tazza: The One Eyed Jack is more than entertaining as crime thriller that will keep you thinking and engaged throughout - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 21, 2019
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Midnight Diner (2019) |
By missing out on character development and eschewing presentations of Shanghainese dishes, Midnight Diner fails to entertain both drama-philes and foodies. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 21, 2019
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Fagara (2019) |
Even though Fagara doesn't overtly promote "One China," it ultimately reinforces the message that the components of the Greater Chinese community share a lot of similarities rather than differences. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 16, 2019
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Shanghai Fortress (2019) |
While Shanghai Fortress is not likely to win any awards, it's adequate if you're looking for brainless entertainment - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 15, 2019
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The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos (2019) |
[The Bad Guys is] a fun film for audiences looking for a respite from more serious dramas, or to get riled up with anti-Japanese sentiment. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 13, 2019
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Miss & Mrs. Cops (2019) |
While Miss and Mrs. Cops hardly offers anything new in terms of plot, its timely exploration of the challenges women face in Korea makes it worth a watch. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Sep 06, 2019
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Ne Zha (2019) |
The film remains whimsical and entertaining for adults and children alike, and its treatment of a Chinese folk deity is surprisingly accessible for audiences unfamiliar with Chinese mythology. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Aug 29, 2019
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Line Walker 2: Invisible Spy (2019) |
Plot takes a backseat to action in Line Walker 2-the story merely existing to provide some context for shootouts and car chases - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Aug 15, 2019
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The Divine Fury (2019) |
In trying to execute both horror and action, Divine Fury succeeds at neither...A bigger weakness is the lack of character development over the course of Divine Fury - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Aug 14, 2019
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Weathering With You (2019) |
To simply regard this as a Shinkai romance anime cheapens the significance of the film. Weathering With You is a dire warning to humanity on the future of our world if we don't take drastic actions to reduce our impact on the environment - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Aug 11, 2019
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Exit (2019) |
Both Yoona and Cho acted well in Exit, but their characters were not given much of a chance to develop as individuals or as a couple over the course of the film - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Aug 01, 2019
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A Loner (2017) |
The loneliness presented in A Loner left me wanting to call my own parents. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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iGirl (2016) |
[T]he plot quickly declines in quality and turns into a poorly-made sci-fi flick with nonsensical plot elements. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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Ace of Sales (2016) |
[I]t almost seems like Ace of Sales is also trying to make a social commentary about the inanity of commercialism, but that message is completely lost in a tumultuous sea of plot-jumping. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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Finding Mr. Right (2013) |
Beijing Meets Seattle helps remind the audience about what truly matters in life - not material wealth exemplified by yachts and planes, but rather a loving family and caring companion. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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Forever Young (2015) |
Forever Young ended up much more like P.F. Chang's - that is to say, all the pieces are there, but in the wrong order and magnitude. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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So Young (2013) |
It is truly difficult to capture the many feelings and experiences of one's youth in the short time that a movie allots, but So Young makes a valiant effort and does hit some of the key points. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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Love Without Distance (Tuhao 520) (2015) |
Lam's film presents a unique and controversial, yet warm-hearted and comedic take on the traditional tuhao narrative. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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(undefined) |
I found Fleet of Time to be rather dissatisfying due to its poor execution. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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Boxer's Wings (2011) |
Boxer's Wings is as much Starcraft documentary as it is inspirational sports documentary. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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The Enigma of Arrival (2018) |
The Enigma of Arrival is a darker take on the coming-of-age story. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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Under the Dome (2015) |
Under the Dome can be considered as China's answer to An Inconvenient Truth. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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The Eye of Silence (2014) |
The Eye of Silence ultimately offers much entertainment for people interested in contemporary Chinese society through its backdrop. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 08, 2019
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Default (2018) |
Default is still a relatively good introduction to an oft-forgotten (at least in the West) financial crisis. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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Beijing, New York (2015) |
Beijing, New York deserves acknowledgement for its desire to address issues that many second-generation Chinese (and broadly, Asian) immigrants experience on a daily basis. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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Sky Hunter (2017) |
Sky Hunter is a decent action flick without any ridiculous plot elements. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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(undefined) |
Just Another Pandora's Box is an excellent film for those who have some knowledge of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, or for those who also want to watch Red Cliff, it is an excellent accompaniment. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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Lady of the Dynasty (2015) |
Ultimately, Lady of the Dynasty left me as sad about its poor execution as the Song of Everlasting Regret was lamentful about Emperor Xuanzong and Concubine Yang. Woe is me. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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Somewhere Only We Know (2015) |
[Somewhere Only We Know] was another love story that re-iterated a recycled plotline that did little to create a lasting impact on its audience. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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(undefined) |
Lan Kwai Fong serves its purpose well enough-it's low-commitment and high-amusement, and you honestly wouldn't miss anything important if you fell asleep briefly halfway through. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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Bottle Shock (2008) |
Bottle Shock is an entertaining, albeit unremarkable film. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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The Mafia, the Salesman (2007) |
If you're drunk on soju and looking for easy comedy, The Mafia, The Salesman is it. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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Yi Sheng Yi Shi (2014) |
But Always is one of those films that, like many management consultants' strategies, had the potential to be great, but was seriously hampered by poor execution. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 03, 2019
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The Devotion of Suspect X (2017) |
The Devotion of Suspect X is a pretty solid piece of entertainment that is smart enough to keep both your eyes and brain engaged. - Cinema Escapist
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| Posted Jul 02, 2019
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