Swordsman 2 review

Swordsman II (1992)

Produced by Tsui Hark. Action choreographed by Chin Siu Tung, Yuen Bun, Cheung Yiu Sing.

Cast: Brigitte Lin as Dong Fang Bu Bai, Jet Li as Ling Hui Chong, Rosemund Kwan as Reng Ying Ying, Michelle Reis as Ngok Leng Saan, Waise Lee as a Japanese samurai, Yen Shi Kwan as Ren Wo Xing, Fennie Yuen as Blue Phoenix (Lan Feng Huang)



One of the most lavish Hong Kong (HK) productions ever, Swordsman 2 is a movie full of flaws but more than makes up for them with its class and production values. Even compared to today's productions, Swordsman 2 looks VERY good. The storyline is the most flawed part, but the new wave action is incredible. It is one of the only movies in which Jet Li even touches a sword, and anything he touches pretty much becomes a masterpiece. I would say that this is one of the top 5 swordplay movies of all time. Everything moves quickly--ultra fast-paced--and the movie does not rely on humor (like most HK period movies do) to stimulate the audience. There's not much emotion thrown in either, so the viewer is not to feel too involved (which is great!).

Plot: (Spoilers)

At the end of Swordsman 1, the Sacred Volume was lost to an unknown person. Swordsman 2 picks up where the predecessor left off. We are introduced to a new character by the name of Invincible Asia (Dong Fang Bu Bai, or DFBB), who has obtained the Sacred Volume and has gained supernatural power at the expense of changing his sex, now a she. DFBB has recruited an army of Japanese samurais and has taken over the Sun Moon sect, her ultimate goal being to take over the Mainland. She has also locked up the former leader of the Sun Moon sect, Ren Wo Xing (RWX), whose daughter is now hiding and secretly searching for him. At the same time, Ling Hu Chong and his sister, originally intended to retire, get tangled into the DFBB situation. By chance, they meet the rest of their sisters and brothers from Mount Hua, and they also meet Ren Wo Xing's daughter Ren Ying Ying. Ling agrees to help Ying find her father, so he goes to DFBB's place, only to find that DFBB is the girl of his dreams. Ling and DFBB had met before in a steamy situation, and he invites her to drink wine with him. DFBB soon locks Ling in a cell next to that of Ren Wo Xing, and Ling helps him escape.

RWX vows to get revenge from DFBB, but DFBB is also prepared to take on anyone. She accidentally kills all of Mt. Hua's disciples except for Ling and his sister, which gets Ling to be on RWX's side. So RWX, RYY, Ling, his sister, and RWX's helper all go to Hei Mu Ya (valley) to settle their matters with DFBB, who is alone. Ling finally discovers that the girl he has been thinking about is the ultimate evil master. In shame and shock, Ling puts a sword in DFBB's heart, which is what finally defeats her. Ling offers to save her, but she pushes him up and falls down the valley...

Ren Ying Ying knows that her father would deal with Ling once he gets the Sun Moon Sect going again, so she begs him to go to Japan. The movie ends with Ling and his sister on a boat departing to Japan, and RYY holding a guitar that plays the magical themesong.

Examination:

Swordsman 2 may be Hong Kong's trademark film from the 90s wuxia genre. It has a value that has been lost in the past few years of filmmaking. Directors today simply have lost their craftsmanship for creating this kind of enjoyable movie.

So what makes Swordsman 2 so great, despite the enormous flaws? First, let's go to the plot. It is indeed the main weakness of the story, many would argue. However, it is also part of what makes the movie special. In many movies, the plot is good, but the execution is lacking. In Swordsman 2, it is the plot that is flawed in the first place, but the execution is quite good.

The action is simply top rate. There is a lot of wire and effects to enhance the fight scenes, and they worked very well. The swordplay could not have been more fantastic, as it does not leave anything to your imagination. The film created a perfect atmosphere and intensity for the story. This is what truly fantasy wuxia is about, "sweet" as we can fans call it.

Dong Fang Bu Bai is no doubt invincible here. She simply moves her hand and a big stone monument will be lifted from the ground and fly straight to the enemy at a speed of 400 miles per hour. Only the best fighters in the martial world can withstand more than three stances from her. If it weren't for her feelings for Ling, there is no way she would have lost the last fight. One of my favorite scenes from the movie has Ren Wo Xing tossing out a pair of extremely heavy-looking hooks at DFBB, and she responds with a pair of thin threads to grasp the hook. What's even more hilarious: she pulls RWX straight at her, and there is no stopping her! To think that a thread can pull a humongous pair of hooks is indeed an ironic thing. But these supernatural elements ultimately makes the movie even more of a gem.

Conclusion

Many Westerners watch Hong Kong movie for its outstanding action sequences and to get a taste of the famous martial arts genre. While the action in Swordsman 2 is more of the fantasy type rather than hardcore kung fu, it certainly satisfies fans of the wuxia genre. There is a reason why this is legendary Jet Li's highest grossing movie in the theatres of HK. In fact, this is the highest grossing movie of the careers of Tsui Hark, Chin Siu Tung, Brigitte Lin, and just about everyone involved. This is one of the most groundbreaking, genre-defining movies to come out of Hong Kong, and it will be remembered. Highly recommended.

[8/10]