| More of the same, with the emphasis on "more"...more action, more characters, more complex plot, longer running time, and, God be praised, a little LESS romance make this sequel ever so slightly more enjoyable (and mainstream-friendly) than the original. The story picks up shortly after the first film left off, with Ning (Leslie Cheung) returning home and finding himself imprisoned for crimes he did not commit. His cellmate is Elder Chu, a learned author who helps him escape. From there, he meets Autumn (Jacky Cheung, the most outstanding performer in the film), a Taoist swordsman who can smell evil spirits, and a group of rebels including two sisters named Windy (Joey Wang) and Moon (Michelle Reis). Dumbfounded by Windy's resemblance to Tsing (and oblivious to Moon's feelings for him...betcha know where this is goin'), Ning assumes Elder Chu's identity and leads his new allies into a number of misadventures. Also figuring into the equation are Lord Fu (father to Windy and Moon); Hu, an imperial officer with a whole bunch of swords strapped to his back; an evil high priest with a muffled old woman's voice; and Yan, who returns from the first movie to save everyone's ass.
Apparently, there wasn't a whole lot of advancement in the special effects field between 1987 and 1990. Last time, we had stiff animatronic zombies, a giant tongue, and a suit of armor that only moved its mouth. This time, we have a stiff animatronic humanoid monster of some sort, a giant centipede, and a giant gold Buddha that only moves its mouth. I'm sure this stuff didn't look as lame in 1990 as it does now, but that doesn't make it much easier to watch it without laughing at the movie's expense. I must say, however, that the scene with the big ogre or whatever you want to call it is easily one of the best in the film; Autumn teaches Ning a spell to freeze people, and when Ning tests it (successfully) on Autumn, he finds himself unable to reverse it. Meanwhile, this monster looms menacingly behind Ning, and the profusely sweating Autumn is powerless to warn him or flee. Pretty funny. Funnier than that bathtub shit from the first movie, that's for sure.
Although a brief recap is offered, you should see the first one to appreciate this one, and the first one ain't for everybody. While you ponder that little conundrum, I'll sit here and wait until I'm bored enough to watch #3. Bye. |
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