A composite of posters of films "The Crossing Part 2" and "Lady of the Dynasty". [Photo: mtime.com]

A pair of highly-touted Chinese films are now going head to head in theatres.

Labeled by some as the Chinese version of Titanic, "The Crossing Part 2" is the second installment of the John Woo epic about the sinking of the ship "Taiping" travelling between the mainland and Taiwan during the Chinese civil war.

The first installment of the film has been widely criticized, with many who have seen the film questioning if it was necessary to split the film into two parts.

The second half of the movie, which is in 3D, is said to focus more on character development and the actual sinking of the ship.

"The Crossing Part 2" is now competing against another highly-anticipated Chinese epic "Lady of the Dynasty."

"Lady of the Dynasty" is the love story between the imperial consort and the Emperor Xuan Zong of the Tang Dynasty which lasted from 6th to 9th century in China.

The film stars Fan Bingbing and Hong Kong actor Leon Lai Ming.

The film already had a lot of buzz surrounding it, even before it hit theatres.

The premier featured a steamy scene involving the couple on a horse.

However, viewers who saw the film last night on its first day out say that scene has been cut.