Judging from some of the reviews I have read, some people rank this movie ahead of the first Once Upon a Time in Triad Society. I can’t go that far, especially due to its slow beginning, but it is a great film. This is a not a true sequel. In fact the only similarity’s between this and the first movie is that it features Triads and Francis Ng is in it- although he plays a far different character.

This time, Francis is Dagger, a peaceful Triad member who would rather play mahjong all day that get involved with any dangerous activities. Another difference between the movies is that “2”also features two other main characters. Roy Cheung as an action loving Triad, and Cheung Tat-Ming as a cop. The story revolves around a big gang fight approaching and how all three characters have different perspectives about it. Roy and his minions are all excited and looking forward to it; Cheung is more concerned about his pregnant wife then doing his police work; and Francis and his pals are just looking for ways to avoid the whole situation. Things get exciting as the tension builds towards the big showdown, and one of the three main characters is not going to survive the night!

As mentioned, the film has a very slow start. There are extended scenes of Francis playing Mahjong, Cheung spends two or three scenes in a restaurant with his wife; and Roy spends way to much time doing nothing and clowning around with his gang. The movie does pick up however, and things get real dramatic real fast! This movie portrays a more realistic side of Triad gang fights. There is certainly no glory in being knifed in the stomach and left to bleed to death in an alley. There are some dark moments, and I was impressed by it. It also shows how the Triad leaders use methods like “honor” to get there underlings to follow orders; but when things get bad, they are often the first ones to escape. Dagger is fully aware of this and tries everything he can think of to avoid action. Unfortunately a series of bad luck ultimately drags him directly into the gang fight and then even worse- on a dangerous Triad solo mission to kill the leader of a rival gang.

The second half and especially the end of the movie is very tense and very exciting. I would rank the ending scenes a perfect 10. Once again, Francis Ng steals the show here. Directing, cinematography and music are all top-notch as well.