Exiled, for lack of a better term or catchphrase, has been marketed as the direct sequel to The Mission, arguably one of the best "heroic bloodshed" films released in the past fifteen years (not including A Bittersweet Life)
It is not, I believe; that said, it has all of the great Johnny To filmic signatures, i.e. the great framing, gunshots parced out like notes on a music scale. Hard guys doing what needs to be done without a moment's hesitation.
However, it did not resonate as I though it did (Breaking News, with its great opening 7 minute shot, was more spectacular but it seemed to be doing more - - a commentary on the overglutted media coverage surrounding any event of note).
That said, about 7 1/2 stars out of ten. Anthony Wong was great as was Lam Suet, but Simon Yam (who know can overact and has many times in the past) needed to tone down his chomping on the drapes that were flying all over the place in this film.