The odd, spoof-like nature of this film may be attributed to Woo's reluctance to even do a sequel to his 1986 heroic bloodshed masterpiece. (Where were these high standards when he did "Just Heroes"?) But he got on board anyway, in some misguided attempt to revive Dean Shek's career. So with no greater artistic vision behind it, it comes as no surprise that the movie ends up as kind of an off kilter mess.

There are multiple things you could pick at here. The whole "set up" scenario of Dean Shek's character is just sloppy writing. There were about a hundred better ways of getting that plot point out of the way. And his looney schtick gets a little tiresome after awhile. The choice of having Chow Yun Fat come back as his own twin is also sort of silly. And what the hell is up with that cartoon thing? Well, nevermind. Having Chow in the movie is better than not having him, even if the identical twin angle is a little too convenient. Ti Lung's and Leslie Cheung's arcs are probably the ones that work the best here. But we are still pretty far from the greatness of the first movie. Actually, nothing in this movie compares to the original. Well, except for the action.

There is gun blasting mayhem and virtuoso violence aplenty here. And while not as poignant as in the first movie, it is still high caliber stuff, done with Woo's usual style and flair. The final shootout in the mansion is probably one the best and bloodiest showdowns of the genre, totally over the top and ridiculous. A mass slaughter, if you will, gotta' love it.

This is certainly not up there with Woo's other masterpieces in the genre but still worth a look for fans of bloody gunplay.

As a diehard John Woo Hong Kong action movie fan, I must admit to having a guilty pleasure to the perverse violence of this movie. I consider Hard Boiled, and The Killer, as better, overall films and would recommend them over ABT2 for those that want to see Woo's best work. But neither match the sheer, unapologetic violence of this film. The climax has our heroes (the four original Reservoir Dogs in black suits) invading the bad guy's mansion that is fortified with a "well armed militia". The trademark scene is Chow Yun Fat honorably exchanging guns and gunfire with an assassin at point blank range. This footage can be seen in Christian Slater's film, "True Romance".

Anyone who takes indulgence in violence for the sake of violence will consider this a visual orgy. There are literal buckets of blood being tossed for effect as baddies are mowed down by .9mm bullets and hand grenades! It makes anything by Peckinpah, Leone, or even Die-Hard, look anemic. These are much more complete films, of course, but you don't watch Woo films for their drama.

True. Mainstream North American audiences may not understand nor appreciate it. Most of the time, it is their inability to suspend disbelief -- "C'mon don't they ever run outta bullets?"

For those that can let go will appreciate this movie...just make sure you understand that it is porn and you must fast-forward to the good parts.

In this sequel, Ho (Ti Lung) initially refuses to go undercover to bust the gang he used to work for in exchange for his release from prison, he only accepts after his little brother, the policeman Kit (Leslie Cheung) accepts the assignment.

Meanwhile in New York, Ken Gor (Chow Yun-Fat), the twin brother of Mark Gor from the 1st movie, shelters the boss of the gang, who has had to flee after it is taken over by a more aggressive leadership.

Very much like the first ABT, but there's alot less talk and a lot more gun-play. Some the shoot outs are down right poetic, the part with Chow Yun-Fat getting attacked in his apartment and him just casually walking blowing away guys, sending one down a hallway from a shotgun blast, and taking out a guy while sliding down a staircase on his back. Its friggin' awesome.

In ABT, the end battle was cool, but the one here is stupendous. Chow, Ti, and Leslie invade the bad guys house and lay waste to everyone. They use grenades, gas, guns and a sword!

Both Chow and John prove that they are the ultimate action troupe with this movie. Action fans owe it to themselves to get this movie.

When things get melodramatic, they get OVERLY melodramatic (rice scene, refrigerator scene,) and when the guns come out, the guns are BLAZING in ridiculous fashion (the ending mansion scene.)

Perhaps I'm biased, since I am no fan of the trademark HK melodrama (which is pervasive in this film, even more so than in Bullet In The Head, the grand champion of bad melodrama) and appreciate gunplay immeasurably more when it is done sensibly and with measured effect, instead of senselessly & to the point of farce.