Unlike the first God of Gamblers, which was a fairly light-heartened romp in the vein of Rain Man, God of Gamblers Returns has the genre-mixing and ultra-violence one would expect from a Wong Jing movie. The violent bits are what really gets a lot of peoples goads up, but really, I didn't find them all that shocking, though I will admit they are a bit distasteful in parts (cat lovers will have a tough time with one part in particular). But I think the film works really well as a whole. Chow isn't quite as endearing as in the first movie, but he still gives a great performance. The rest of the cast isn't as good, but there are no stinkers -- even Chingmy Yau redeems herself from some of her horrible past performances. Once you see the sequence with her involving martial arts and gambling, you'll become a fan. A lot of critics like to label films as "roller coaster rides," but God of Gamblers Returns is one movie that truly deserves that moniker. It goes all over the place, but it's such a fun ride you won't notice.

Note: due to the several titles for the film, you may be confused. There were actually two other God of Gamblers films produced without Chow Yun-Fat, but some distributors have labeled this movie part 2 (even though it is the fourth GoG movie) since it is the second one featuring Chow Yun-Fat.

Although not quite the classic that the original was, this is still a very entertaining romp that manages to maintain a lot of the elements that made the first one so brilliant. Its mix of action, comedy and intrigue ensures that the pace never slacks and the story remains engaging throughout. In the same way as the first film, the plot seems to be established in the first ten minutes but then it takes off at a tangent leaving you wondering how all the ends are going to be tied up. It's obvious that Wong Jing can be very inventive when he wants to be and its a pity that he doesn't make the effort more often (referring to some of the less inspired Category III rubbish he churns out).

Chow Yun-fat is solid in his role as Ko Chun who this time manages to keep his memory throughout. I think this is where the first one wins it for me as it was Chow's portrayal of a simple idiot that really gave an insight into his acting genius. Here he isn't really given any such opportunity. As for everybody else Tony Leung and Wu Chien-lin provide the comedy as a couple of tricksters and the glamour is laid on thick in the form of Chingamy Yau. She especially looks stunning in a scene where she takes on the villain in a gambling contest.

The film's gunplay sequences live up to any Hong Kong film fan's expectations with Ko Chun and Dragon, his bodyguard from the first film, taking on small armies in chaotically orchestrated shoot outs. When the film finally gets to the climactic gambling showdown its as gripping as the first film with Ko Chun gambling everything he has...

Why Would I Like This Movie? Some great action scenes (particularly those involving Tze Mui) and side-splitting parody of the original movies' popularity. Wonderful performances by the supporting cast: Charles Heung Wah-Keung returns as Brother Dragon, Tony Leung Ka-Fai is hilarious as a parody of Andy Lau Tak-Wah's Knife, Elvis Tsui Kam-Kong is side-splitting in the role of the brutish Mainland cop ("We respect human rights! If you're innocent, I won't frame you! If you're guilty, I'll break your arms and legs!"), Wu Chien-Lien is extremely cute as a second love interest, and Chigmy Yau Suk-Ching gleefully slides down banisters with guns blazing.

Why Wouldn't I Like This Movie? Wildly uneven pacing. Slapstick gags approach and pass the point of diminishing return. The sentimental charm of the original movie is missing in the sequel, although the cranked-up humour quotient goes a long way toward providing compensation.