Now this I like. Johnnie To is responsible for some of the best action films of recent decades but Sparrow is a different kind of crime film that's lighter, more graceful and indebted to the French New Wave. The change of pace is handled well. There are long stretches where you can just sit back and marvel at how well constructed it all is. The stakes aren't as high as you'd usually expect from this director but it's just a fun, sweet, sometimes hilarious ride.