SPL 2: A TIME FOR CONSEQUENCES (2015)

 

Genre: Action/Thriller
Running Length: 1:58
Cast: Tony Jaa, Wu Jing, Max Zhang, Simon Yam, Louis Koo
Director: Cheang Pou-soi (Soi Cheang)
Screenplay: Leung Lai Yin and Wong Ying

Although Hong Kong's latest action flick SPL 2 is pretty convoluted, the story is still relatively easy to follow. In fact, it has more dramatic elements than action scenes as it explores themes of karma, fate and morality, peppered with symbolism. Now if only the fight scenes were more memorable like the first movie, this would have been a very good film (for those uninitiated, the original SPL starring Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung has one of the most gritty and creative fight choreography ever to grace the silver screen). A sequel in name only, SPL 2 is not connected to the original although there are two returning actors. The overall tone of the movie is doom and gloom while the violence is intense. It works because it gives the impression that nobody gets out alive. But how are the action sequences? Well, it's more arty than kinetic. One particular sequence utilizes a single unbroken tracking shot while another sees our wounded protagonist face off with a big group of bad guys in a warehouse with a sentimental ballad playing over that scene. Personally, I prefer watching bone-crunching action scenes executed so tightly it causes me to gasp and hold my breath than sitting through a music video featuring people fighting. That said, although the two leads (Tony Jaa and Wu Jing) are effective in their own performances, their chemistry feels forced. It also didn't help that the only way they communicated with each is through a laughable translation mobile app which is so accurate it will embarrass Google Translate. Fortunately, there are two standout performances in the form of Louis Koo and Max Zhang. Both play villains. Louis is unrecognizable here as an ailing crime boss who's pathetic and scary at the same time while Max's character is cold, stylish and dangerous (reminds me of T2's T-1000 played by Robert Patrick).
  
Rating: 5/10