This is not a very well known gem of a film that is worth checking out. Especially if your into kung-fu action movies. Maybe it's because the previous movie before this sequel came out was like 10 years ago. Or it's because this film just wasn't marketed that well and not many people know about it, including some kung-fu movie watchers. It didn't even have any of the previous actors from the first one except one, and he plays a totally different character in this. So I just didn't have much expectations for this, I thought it was going to be a very mediocre at best straight to DVD movie. Surprisingly this is a balls to the wall, fast hitting and bone crunching action movie that flows along very well with a story that hits you in the gut. Especially for a kung-fu action movie, this one deserves more recognition. I wasn't a huge fan of the first "SPL" although it did have one of the coolest one on one fight sequence. This however takes it to another level. With the very well shot cinematography, hand to hand fighting with no shaky cam and yet with focused precision to shootouts. The camera zooms in and out at just the right parts as well. This one isn't a cop out or a cash in, it's a action movie with genuine effort and well thought out planning that went into it. It sort of reminded me of "The Raid 2" to a certain extent which is a phenomenal action film. I especially liked watching two well known martial artist in the film industry go head to head like contenders with a team up as well to progress the story. There are multiple scenes that is single long takes, that needed good editing, precise timing and impeccable movements to pull off. And it does it with flying colors. The scenes that comes to mind is the prison riot scene. It's one of the few films that is better than the trailer. This is a underrated action movie that I would highly recommend, mainly because not many people know about it. I like checking out underrated films that not many people know about in order to dig up some gems and this one is a gem when it comes to action movies. I am a viewer that enjoys movie soundtracks and the tracks not only fit the scenes but it made the whole experience more enthralling. This is Tony Jaa's best movie after "Ong-Bak" the first one.
8.2/10
8.2/10