It could remind spectators of Batman's Gotham City for its despair after villains hold the city to ransom as they eliminate the police force and Batman comes out to save the residents. It also has an on-screen catastrophe familiar to Hollywood fans: biochemical weapons containing a deadly virus that's facilitated by a renegade with a "cause" to attack innocent people.

The storyline appears to have been inspired by Hollywood classic The Rock (1996), but Tsai has taken a creative approach by playing the main villain himself. He last acted in a film more than a decade ago.

The director does not include his name in the end credits for cast, adding he was reluctant to take the role at first.

"It was my wife (also the film's chief producer), who kept encouraging me to return to acting, and said that there was a lack of money to hire a big shot to play the villain. I wouldn't agree," Tsai says mockingly. "I expect my role to only live in the movie, and not connect it with myself."

It, however, remains unclear if Tsai will be directing a third movie along the same lines.

"But I can ensure you that the villain I played has died," he says, perhaps in an indication that a third in the series will have a fresh storyline.

It is interesting to note that Tsai has the courage to make pure action movies, despite the low season for such flicks since Jet Li and Jackie Chan peaked years ago. Tsai also doesn't seem bothered with the strong competition he faces at the box office from other movies being released during the National Day holidays.

"What matters more than a number is that filmgoers notice how Chinese-language action movies have progressed," he says. "Audiences will understand how much we've endeavored to rebuild the fame."