COLD WAR 2 (2016)

Genre: Thriller / Action
Running Length: 1:54
Cast: Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Chow Yun-Fat, Charlie Young, Eddie Peng
Director: Longman Leung, Sunny Luk
Screenplay: Jack Ng, Longman Leung, Sunny Luk

Although COLD WAR 2 is not cut from the same cloth as the classic Infernal Affairs (and its sequel), it's a much more engaging outing than its predecessor. This sequel literally picks up where Part 1 left off with a tense rescue drama. And it pretty much maintains its high energy throughout the film.

When the film came to a close, I couldn't help but feel really satisfied until I started thinking more about it. And the more I thought about it, the faster my satisfaction for this film diminished. As opposed to Infernal Affairs, it had a reverse effect. The reason for the comparison is because both films deal with the internal strife and conflict between management and operations in a bureaucratic organization. Both are first a political thriller, then only action.

That said, Infernal Affairs strongly relied on the acting caliber of its leads and superior editing eg. pauses and silence to allow the actors (and the audience) to process and react to a situation, while the Cold War saga uses non-stop camera work and over dramatic soundtrack to convey hammer home a point. I was continually engaged with what's on screen not because of its narrative but because of its unnecessary multiple cuts for a simple action. I had to pay attention to keep track of what's happening. And the soundtrack... oh boy, it doesn't seem to stop throughout the film; a slow track to convey a certain emotion and a loud booming one to emphasize anger and tension.

And if you thought that the first one was serious, this sequel takes it up a few notches. Everyone in this movie is either brooding or stressed up. It just takes itself way too seriously. And the frustrating part is when the movie ends, it doesn't resolve anything but just to reveal that these on-screen characters are pawns of a greater scheme of things. And speaking of the final scene...really??

That said, I still enjoyed Cold War 2. One of the action sequence in a highway tunnel was so heart-stopping it kept me on the edge of my seat (credit to action choreographer Chin Ka Lock). Tony Leung still steals the show with his powerhouse performance, but I must say Aaron Kwok's performance has surprisingly improved too.

Rating: 7.5/10

RISE OF THE LEGEND (2014)

Genre: Action

Running Length: 2:11

Cast: Sammo Hung, Eddie Peng, Wang Luodan, Jing Boran, Zhang Jin, Wong Cho-lam, Angelababy

Director: Roy Chow

Just like any other remake, in order to appeal to today's younger audience (who are more cynical and grounded), the new Wong Fei-hung flick RISE OF THE LEGEND is a relatively good remake: it is faithful to the source material but offers a more down-to-earth and grimmer motion picture (think Nolan's Batman series). The fight scenes are gritty (more of street brawl style) and the violence are amped up. The screenwriter should be applauded for her courageous efforts to deliver an unconventional plot - a combination of an origins story, a Young and Dangerous like gangster feel, a heist thriller, a story on revolution and the necessary sacrifice for the greater good, and of course a kung-fu action flick. Unfortunately, the result is more convoluted than necessary and will leave audiences more confused than they were before. The film makers even took the risk with the score, making it more light hearted; which to my opinion failed big time (it is only when they played the popular Wong Fei-hung tune, the film suddenly was elevated to epic status). Now to the question you are all waiting for; does Eddie Peng make a good Wong Fei-hung?  It is unlikely that Eddie Peng will replace Jet Li as your definitive Wong Fei-hung but he is a good choice to a younger Fei-hung. He is hunkier, has a signature bad-boy smirk and a lot more bada** Although Eddie is not a character actor, nobody would doubt that he has given his all to portray the legend. The fight scenes are more kinetic and stylish but the fight choreography still loses out to older Hong Kong flick (we actually do not have to go back that far. Just watch Ip Man and you can see a mark difference in the fight scenes). Lastly, the film looks gorgeous with its composition, lighting and choice of colors. Bring on the sequel!

Rating 6.5/10