I agree with most of your review. I thought the most satisfying decision, as you mentioned, was to show the comparison of the two combat styles in the different situations (western military unprepared and slaughtered, then western military ready and on the offensive with high-tech weapons and holding their own). The movie doesn't really relay any sort of message as to which style is "better", which I greatly appreciated. There is an absolute absence of preachiness here, even the evil teacher's motivations and values are simply taken at face value, then we move on.

The gore at the beginning was a bit much. And the heart being on the wrong side thing was a bit cheesy. Other than that, it was a rockin' good time.