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警察故事續集 (1988)
Police Story Part II


Reviewed by: Hyomil
Date: 04/07/2011


Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: dandan
Date: 02/10/2011
Summary: the taxpayers know police work doesn't come cheaply...

after destroying a shanty town and a shopping mall in the first film, ka-hui (jackie chan) has been put back in uniform and undertaking some less thrilling police work. but, with mr chu (chor yuen) already out of prison and his side-kick, koo (charlie cho), threatening may (maggie cheung), ka-kui is considering dropping out of the police force altogether. still, when a gang of bombing blackmailers start to cause a little bit of terror, he's back on the case and all action!

nice. 'police story 2' is one of my favourite jackie chan films and it contains what is one of my favourite pieces of fight choreography: the showdown between jackie and a selection of goons in the playground. quite frankly, it is a simply stunning display of choreographed movement, athleticism and flair. the fact that it also contains a rather amazing fight sequence in a restaurant, an explosive finale and a couple of scenes which feature benny lai illustrating just how amazing he is at kicking people. there's some cracking action on offer, but that should hardly be a surprise...

what might be more of a surprise is the more mature narrative and presentation, especially when compared to the first film. the bravado and melodrama of the first film is only ever reflected as a point of humour; my favourite example of this being the repetition of jackie's big speech about dealing with the bombers, by bill tung and then lam gwok-hung, which is really beautifully done. we also have the character of may in a much more developed form, being integral to both narrative strands and causing ruminations on the very nature of police work and the effects it can have on members of the force and those who they are close to. beyond this it is a technically better film, in terms of cinematography, pacing and editing, showing a maturing in jackie's role as director.

great stuff.


Reviewed by: cal42
Date: 01/01/2008

Following the events of POLICE STORY, Chan Ka-Kui (Jackie Chan) is demoted and hauled over the coals by his superiors. The crime lord Chu Tao (Chor Yuen) has been released due to failing health and is once again making Ka-Kui’s life a misery by getting his lackeys to constantly harass his long-standing (and long-suffering) girlfriend May (Maggie Cheung). However, Ka-Kui faces a new threat in the form of a gang of blackmailers intent on blowing up most of Hong Kong.

POLICE STORY 2 is probably my least favourite of Jackie Chan’s starring features from the eighties. The tone always seemed too dark for a Jackie Chan film and it had a tendency to be overly dramatic and not a little melodramatic. Certain scenes always bugged me – such as the scene in a shopping mall under threat from a bomb attack, which I’ve always thought seemed heavy-handed and the people’s reactions unrealistic (and that attempt at tension with the bouncing ball is horrible passé). What I’ve always liked in Jackie’s films is the lightness and good-natured humour as well as all the physical stuff, which is why I’ve given it a miss for a few years. Watching it again reveals that the film does have some great comedy moments which I’d completely forgotten about, and I was surprises how much I enjoyed it.

Like the first film, a lot of the comedy is provided by Maggie Cheung in the role of May, and she still bears the scars of POLICE STORY 2 to this day thanks to a gag with some toppling metal frames going wrong. It’s hard to imagine her taking such a role now, either from a comedic or physical angle, but she did have quite a flair and watching something like this does remind you of the fact. You’ve got to love the scene where she furiously shouts at Ka-Kui into the showers at the Police station following their aborted holiday to Bali. She is oblivious to the embarrassed nakedness of the cops (and Bill Tung having a private moment in the toilet stalls) to rip into Ka-Kui, and then has another unfortunate incident with her scooter outside. Other comic moments involve Jackie going undercover wearing a fake moustache and glasses to get a lead on the explosives and the usual misunderstandings with his superiors Raymond (Lam Gwok-Hung) and the fantastic Bill Tung. Sadly, Mars, though present, has a much reduced role in this, which is a shame as he always had good comic scenes when sharing the screen with Jackie.

Regular member of Jackie’s stunt-team, Benny Lai comes out of the shadows to play the role of a deaf-mute explosives expert. Although he took one of the pirate roles in PROJECT A PART II, he was usually only a background player in Jackie’s films and usually heavily in disguise. In this he really gets a chance to shine and his physical feats are great. He also apparently spent an inordinate amount of time preparing for the role and consulted a specialist to learn to use sign language, and I have to admit I thought he was for real until I saw him in other roles.

POLICE STORY II does have a tendency towards incoherence and lack of direction, but no more than other films from the era. For example, the return of veteran director Chor Yuen in the role of Chu Tao turns out to be more a red herring than a genuine plot point. It’s as if the filmmakers originally intended to have him being the main bad guy again but changed their minds about a third of the way through. More of a presence is Charlie Cho as Chu Tao’s sleazy PA, John Koo. If you remember, at the end of the first film Ka-Kui punches him in the face and breaks his glasses. This gag obviously proved popular, as in every scene in which he appears in this sequel results in the same result. As a running joke, I suppose it works but on repeated viewings it gets a little tiresome.

However, nothing leaves such a bad taste in the mouth as the disgraceful product placement that goes on. You can’t go ten minutes without some blatant plug for Canon, Citizen and (inevitably) Mitsubishi. The worst offence occurs when a shopping mall is destroyed by an explosion – a Mitsubishi 4X4 (which I’m sure, if memory serves correctly, has adverts for Citizen emblazoned on its side therefore killing two birds with one stone) rolls away from the devastation without the aid of a driver and stops safely outside having smashed a plate glass window in its escape. I’m not sure what they were trying to say – that Mitsubishi cars are sentient? That they can smash windows without losing tyre pressure? It may even be a sly reference to some jokey TV advert at the time or something that I’m not aware of, but otherwise it’s terribly distracting and ruins the illusion of the movie.

On a lighter note, Jackie’s action sequences are as phenomenal as ever from the eighties. He takes on the bad guys single-handedly and comes away a winner as is demanded from the audience. I’ll always remember the first time I watched the stunt with the refuse chute exploding with Jackie still inside it. I literally gasped in shocked surprise, and how many times can you say that about a scene in a movie? I’d say it’s one of his most underrated of stunts and deserves to be seen by all. Also noteworthy are the film’s explosion effects. A shopping mall gets a spectacular bang and a fireworks factory gets blown to smithereens. There was obviously a higher budget following the success of the original film and it looks like it all went on the pyrotechnics.

So while POLICE STORY II does have some major flaws it is still a film very much from his golden age and has much to recommend it.

Reviewer Score: 7

Reviewed by: j.crawford
Date: 11/29/2007

Police Story is a captivating movie, an awesome achievement. It is still one of my favorite films of all time. Jackie returned to this sequel 3 years, and two features he directed, later. By this time, the obsessive/compulsive elements of his personality had taken control of his film making skills. He didn't quite recapture what had made the first film near perfect. There is a touch too much Charlie Cho for my taste. The man created more great action set-pieces for Police Story Part II that must be seen nonetheless.

[En français] Police Story est un film captivant, une fantastique réalisation. Il est encore l'un de mes films favoris de tous les temps. Jackie retourné à cette suite 3 ans, et il a dirigé deux caractéristiques, plus tard. En ce moment, l'obsessif / compulsif éléments de sa personnalité avaient pris le contrôle de son film faisant compétences. Il n'a pas tout à fait récupérer ce qui avait effectué le premier film presque parfaite. Il ya un peu trop de Charlie Cho à mon goût. L'homme a créé plus grande action de mise en pièces pour Police Story Part II qui doit être vu quand même.

[En español]Police Story es una película cautivadora, un logro impresionante. Sigue siendo una de mis películas favoritas de todos los tiempos. Jackie regresó a esta secuela 3 años, y dirigió dos características, más tarde. Por el momento, el obsesivo / compulsivo elementos de su personalidad había tomado el control de las habilidades para tomar su película. Él no muy recuperar lo que había hecho la primera película casi perfecto. Hay un toque Charlie Cho demasiado para mi gusto. El hombre creado más grandes de acción conjunto de piezas de Police Story Parte II, que deben considerarse, no obstante.








Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: Chungking_Cash
Date: 05/25/2007

Jackie Chan attempts to one-up himself in the sequel to his best film and fails. Nevertheless, out of that failure a highly entertaining film emerges overflowing with hyper activity that was Chan's namesake.

The script is a mess and needlessly elaborates on characters, situations, and gags from its predecessor. The first half-an-hour picks up where the original ended and begins to combat the same conflicts all over again before (and without warning) switching gears and grabbing a different script off the pile with all new perils.

Chan tricks his audience into believing the stunt work came with relative ease, part of the auteur's charm as a performer, though the outtakes prove otherwise.

The choreography during a brawl staged on a playground is without a doubt one of Chan's finest moments as a life-long entertainer.

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: mrblue
Date: 10/26/2005

Even though he captured the big crime boss in the first Police Story, Chan is demoted to a traffic cop for his rough tactics used during the case. Soon, the boss is released and takes the opportunity to humiliate Chan and threaten his girlfriend (Cheung). Compounding problems are a group of mad bombers targeting key areas around the city. Chan must find a way to break the case while keeping both his superiors and his girlfriend off his back.

Since the first movie was a huge success, it was only inevitable that there would be a sequel. Thankfully, it's about as good as the original. The pacing is very tight (again losing a little steam during the romantic bits) and the comedy (mostly supplied by veteran actor "Uncle" Bill Tung) is damn funny most of the time. Police Story 2 also differentiates itself from its predecessor by taking a darker tone. While it's not Crime Story, there's definitely an "edge" to PS2, especially during an extended torture scene. The action scenes are just as over-the-top as the first movie, ranking among some of the best of Chan's "mature" phase -- including one where Chan fights a deaf/mute pyrotechnics/martial arts expert (Bee), which results in a very explosive finale.

Keep a look out for cameos from many notable HK stars such as Ken Lo, Lau Ching-Wan and Michael Chan.

[review from www.hkfilm.net]


Reviewed by: Libretio
Date: 10/22/2005
Summary: Disappointing sequel still delivers the goods

POLICE STORY PART II (1988)

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Anamorphic)
Sound format: Mono

Intrepid Hong Kong police officer Chan Ka-kui (Jackie Chan) battles a gang of criminals who have detonated several bombs throughout the territory as part of an ugly extortion racket.

A disappointing sequel, POLICE STORY PART II is very much the mixture as before. The action scenes are as spectacular as ever - most notably an eye-popping fight in a children's park, and the climactic showdown in an abandoned factory - but the script (credited to Chan and Edward Tang) is weak and uninvolving, and the characters are basically stick-figures, broadly played by an otherwise talented cast whose collective hamminess serves merely to dilute the impact of some pretty violent set-pieces. The stuntwork is first-rate, but the movie is a lightweight affair.

Clearly growing in confidence as a director, Chan accomplishes a number of genuinely striking visual flourishes (the child's ball in the bomb-rigged shopping complex; the slow fade from day to night whilst Chan and girlfriend Maggie Cheung remain seated at screen-left, contemplating their relationship in silence, etc.), demonstrating a level of maturity that would culminate the following year in his bravura Capraesque comedy-drama MR CANTON AND LADY ROSE (1989). Here, as ever, the fight scenes are lively, creative, beautifully staged, and very, VERY fast - blink, and you'll probably miss several kicks and dozens of punches!

Of the cast, Chan has charisma and charm to spare but not much range as an actor, and Cheung is mere decoration, demonstrating little of the talent that would distinguish her subsequent career (FULL MOON IN NEW YORK, CENTER STAGE, etc.). Bill Tung is rather wasted as Chan's lovable superior, and there are cameo appearances by Chor Yuen (a longtime Shaw Brothers director, and chief villain in the first POLICE STORY), industry veteran Wu Ma (most famous for his recurring role in A CHINESE GHOST STORY and sequels), future heartthrob Ken Lo (THE RED WOLF), and an early appearance by Lau Ching-wan, now widely recognized as one of HK's finest actors. Watch out for stuntman Benny Lai as a deaf-mute villain who steals the show with his superb fighting skills, particularly during the climactic face-off with Chan. Production values are solid, as usual, with typically expansive scope photography by Cheung Yiu-jo and expertly-crafted editing by Peter Cheung, both of whom performed similar duties on the original POLICE STORY in 1985. Followed by POLICE STORY III - SUPER COP (1992).

NB. This review is based on both the original HK version of the film (101 minutes) and Chan's preferred longer cut (121 minutes), now available on DVD in HK. The re-edited, re-scored version released in the US in 1998 under the abbreviated title POLICE STORY 2 is best avoided.

Reviewer Score: 4

Reviewed by: SteelwireMantis
Date: 07/24/2003
Summary: Enjoyable sequel, but not as good as the predecessor

I can't lie, I really enjoyed this movie. Although it's not as good as the original, it has the same feel as the first installment (what I thought was missing in 3).

Jackie returns as Chan Ka Kui, who is demoted to traffic duty due to his behaviour in the first movie. Chu Tu is released from prison on compassionate leave (he is presumed to have less than 3 months to live) but promises to get revenge on Ka Kui. After a fast paced fight in a restaurant, Ka Kui furiously resigns from the force. As he prepares to go on holiday with girlfriend May (Maggie Cheung), a shopping mall is blown up by terrorists which leaves Chan no choice but to rejoin the force and solve the case. Soon the terrorists get hold of May and force Ka Kui into a position that may risk his reputation as a cop to save the girl he loves...

The plot was formulaic to the original, although this flim contains some of the best action pieces filmed. The highlight of the film has to be the fight in the park at night between Chan and Chu Tu's thugs. Many more stunts leave us to a finale involving Chan smashing through glass and Maggie Cheung splitting her skull.

Very enjoyable. ****.5/*****

Reviewer Score: 9

Reviewed by: balstino
Date: 05/02/2003
Summary: Not all that....

I didn't like this installment of the series. Yes, it has loads of action but the whole film is a little over done. I just rolled my eyes towards the end and wanted it to finish. Stick with parts 1 & 3.


Reviewed by: Inner Strength
Date: 01/13/2002
Summary: Disapointing to the first

As most sequels, this one disapointed. True, it's full of action again, but the story was very unrealistic and VERY predictable, there are no twists to the movie either like the original, and again Maggie Cheung doesn't have much to do. Still, it's worth watching, but I got bored of it after seeing it a second time. I was going to watch it again before writing this, but I know I wont be impressed.

Rating (out of 5): 2.5

(This rating is based on the year & genre, so don't think it's based as a comparison on new releases etc.)


Reviewed by: Sydneyguy
Date: 05/05/2001
Summary: One of Jackie's BEST!!

A very funny movie with lots of action and stunts!!
I wont say much since there are so many reviews but i am a big Jackie fan and seen lots of his movies and this a must SEE!!

8/10

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: Fatty
Date: 03/22/2001
Summary: Chan can kick ass

I have seen all the Police Story movies and I love them all, although it's been awhile that I have seen the first but I will see it again.

Jackie Chan is cool in this film. Pretty weird how a highway patrol man or whatever somehow saves the city from a group of Unabombers. The stunts were awesome aswell, plus you see Maggie Cheung getting alittle crazy aswell :).

But my favorite part had to be the final fight, seeing a guy get thrown out of a warehouse and goes down a cover part for some stairs.....ouch, plus that def guy Gabby gets thrown 30 feet(I think onto a pile of barrels, man he got it good)

Another thing I liked about the film was those little remote controlled cars where actually bombs, Innovative if you ask me. and pretty cool :)

After watching the stunts at the end of the movie, I have to admit Chan got some battle scars after this film and I'm glad cause this movie really did kick ass.

Best part of film: Chan going downt he Conveyer Belt and nearly getting blown up by the bag of Firecracker bombs or whatever they are.

In all a cool Stunt filled Jackie Chan flick that made my jaw drop, although PS III was a tad better this film really did kick ass.....end of story

3.9/5

This so called review is brought to you by Fatty


Reviewed by: resdog781
Date: 08/02/2000
Summary: pretty good sequel

Jackie Chan returns in this bigger sequel about a mad bomber who can kick some major ass without his bombs anyway. Some amazing stunts, especially the scene where Jackie escapes by sliding down the tubes.


Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

Jackie Chan's one-man war on a criminal gang has earned hima reprimand and a demotion from detective to traffic cop, not to mention continual harassment by the gang. He decides to take a long-overdue vacation but his leave is cancelled when Hong Kong is hit with a wave of bomb scares. Jackie unofficially follows up some leads of his own and tracks down the suspected gang. Knowing that Jackie is close on their heels, the gang kidnaps his girlfriend in order to force Jackie to turn against the police. In a spectacular climax rivaling that of the record-breaking original, Jackie rescues the girl and brings the gang unceremoniously to justice.

[Reviewed by Rim Films Catalog]


Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

An excellent follow up to the first film, though while not being as good as the first still contains the expected quota of action and laughs. Great stunts as ever.

(8/10)



[Reviewed by Dave Warner]


Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

Following his one man battle with drug dealers, Chan has been demoted from a detective to a traffic cop. When Hong Kong is hit by a wave of bomb threats, he finds himself caught up in a private investigation that results in the kidnapping of his girlfriend by those responsible. An entertaining and often spectacular follow-up to his earlier film.

(3/5)



[Reviewed by Elliot's Guide to Films on Video]


Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

Did you know that Maggie Cheung cracked her skull in that final scene? That's why they didn't show her anymore because they had to get a stand-in. My cousin said that they would have had more story afterwards showing their relationship had she recovered.

[Reviewed by Jay Fong]


Reviewed by: spinali
Date: 12/08/1999
Summary: NULL

After a demotion from detective to traffic cop, Jackie uses his wiles to track down bomb-scare suspects (all the while trying to protect wife Maggie Cheung from mobsters). All of which means the climax will have more than the usual quota of gunfire and explosions.

(3/4)



[Reviewed by Steve Spinali]

Reviewer Score: 7