Black Mask II (2002)
Reviewed by: mrblue on 2003-09-18
I'm a bit insulted by this movie as both a martial arts movie and wrestling fan. The plot (which has nothing to do with the first movie) has Black Mask (played by dopey newcomer Andy On this time) taking on a group of genetically enhanced wrestlers (WWE grappler Rob Van Dam among them, whose personal ganja stash probably cost more than this entire movie) and some arch villain with dumb-ass x-ray glasses. Now, this might have been cheesy good fun like the first film, especially with Tsui Hark and Yuen Woo-Ping running the show. But, Tsui hasn't turned out a good movie in some time (Legend of Poo, I mean Zu, anyone?) and Yuen has been channeling most of his energy into the Matrix sequels, and the results show on the screen.

Black Mask 2 pretty much represents everything that is bad with action movies today. A lousy script, sub-par acting (you know you're in trouble when former underage porn star Traci Lords does the best job in your film), and some really bad special effects and CGI add up to yet another half-ass action experience. I did enjoy checking out RVD, Traci Lords does look great in the movie (even though they stupidly have her invisible for a lot of it) and some of the fights were decent. But, overall, there really isn't too much to warrant a viewing of Black Mask 2. Even if you're a fan of the first movie, give the sequel a pass unless you're desperate for some rainy day entertainment.