Wolf Warrior 2

Wolf Warrior 2 wants to have it both ways. It wants to be about Chinese exceptionalism, but also wants to show the world a China and the her people, that are at one with the world community. It's a movie that wants to tug on the heartstrings of audiences at home and abroad, but fumbles the latter due to eschewing the universal human element in favor of focusing on exclusively the people of China (and their symbols and institutions).

But it was a pretty entertaining action movie, and interesting propaganda piece (I didn't see the first movie, but it didn't seem to matter much). The cgi was dodgy, but the action and fight choreography were really slick and inventive. There were also a couple cool plot wrinkles late in the movie that were really good, along with one of the most well done third act product placements I've ever seen.

**SPOILERS**

The main story line followed the hero, as he tried to save a few VIPs, along with African and Chinese workers trapped in the conflict zone. It was pretty straightforward stuff.

Now the secondary story line was where almost all the juicy propaganda was placed, the main thrust of which was is in how the Chinese people, and their government, were depicted as sticking by Africa and its people as western governments had abandoned it.

All the Westerners in the movie were in Africa under the sponsorship of stateless private, and non-governmental groups (UN and unspecified business interests) the latter of which were behind the bad guys. And it's the Western bad guys that were aiding and abetting African insurgents, who were murdering hundreds of their fellow Africans in the movie, and threatening to undermine the work that the Chinese government backed businesses were doing on the ground.

Not surprisingly it's the second plot, the propaganda plot, which was more effectively pulled off... building to a jingoistic pro Chinese climax that obviously struck a cord with audiences there.

Unfortunately, that came at the expense of giving the lead character a really organically heart felt ending. Yeah he avenges the death of his lover, but that's handled in a cold, matter of fact way that was unsatisfying. The same went for the burgeoning father/son relationship between the hero and the charismatic African boy whose mother he promised to save. Yeah he did it, but it was all so matter of fact. The execution was done as if they were merely boxes to be ticked. There was no heart behind the craft... that went elsewhere.

**END OF SPOILERS**

And that's a shame because the film could have had a real universal heart that resonated with audiences across the globe, instead of just in China. I'm not begrudging the movie it's jingoistic ending, that's cool, but it didn't have to come at the cost of leaving he rest of us out in the cold. The films loss and ours.

But again, Wolf Warrior 2 is a fine effort nonetheless. It's an action movie, and a pretty darn good one at that.

A massive improvement when compared to its forgettable predecessor, Wolf Warrior 2 brings essential upgrades to almost all aspects and makes for an action-packed & thoroughly entertaining sequel. All the jingoistic touches & national glory is still there but this time, it goes international as the story lets the Chinese military step out of its own borders and play the role of global peacekeepers, something that USA loves to portray itself as.

Co-written & directed by Wu Jing, the film makes a solid impression in the opening scene itself - a masterly shot & brilliantly choreographed underwater fight segment filmed in a single take and it only elevates from there on. The plot exhibits a better structure, focuses mainly on the lone wolf than the wolf pack and is more balanced in its narrative approach. Wu also ups the action, destruction & body counts with a dynamic display of violent gunfights & athletic prowess.

The setting moves from mainland China to Africa and its depiction is no different from how Hollywood perceives the Africans to be: people without nationality and smeared in blood, sickness & poverty. Nevertheless, the enhancements in other aspects helps keep the interest alive and it never runs out of action, thanks to its never-ending set pieces. Adding fuel to fire is its kinetic camerawork & improved pacing. The gweilo cast overacts as usual but Frank Grillo plays the baddie with finesse.

Overall, Wolf Warrior 2 is bigger, better & bolder than the first entry in all the ways imaginable, and is an explosive extravaganza that's going to appease most genre enthusiasts if not all. Some issues from the previous chapter are still around such as lame dialogues, dodgy CGI, mediocre acting & more. But the advancements in so many departments at once, plus its consistent delivery of intense action makes this sequel a winning material. It isn't without its flaws but after the bore its original was, it sure is a welcome delight.

Leng Feng leads the Wolf Warrior Squadron against pirates. He accompanies his comrade's ashes to his home only to find his family being bullied by the corrupt land owner. He fights the land owner and gets thrown into prison. He loses his military position. Three years later, he works the docks of Africa while searching for his beloved's killers. He is befriended by the locals. When revolution explodes, he faces international mercenaries and rescues civilians from danger.

There is plenty of action and some of it is actually fun. The lead actor Wu Jing is stoic with some charisma. He's Jackie Chan without the comedy. The biggest problem is the bloated nature of the plot. It could have been simplified. There's no need for that outbreak plot. It's trying to do too much. I was surprised by the corrupt land developer plot at the start. The sideswipe against the Americans are expected. There are many patriotic touches that are expected. In the end, it's the bloated overlong plot that keeps it from being a hit for the foreign market.

Awesome action, Propagandist pinch

Having been in anticipation of Wolf Warrior 2 since February, Wu Jing's work doesn't disappoint. Generous with the servings of choreographed close combat action, big guns (tanks) and firepower, Wolf Warrior 2 does impress!

However, that's when it got me thinking. Does it always have to be that loud to be eye-catching? The larger than life action while appreciated, deserves questioning for its hyper-realism.

Propagandist tinges, like the first, were clearly evident. There were scenes which were clear to me that was dedicated at stirring nationalistic sentiments, invoking pride, dignity and a sense of empowerment among Chinese nationals. Amidst the wide Chinese diaspora and prominence as a superpower, Wu Jing is not ashamed to chide America as a power of the past through this film.

Overall, Wu Jing certainly make this sequel louder and larger than the first. "Once a wolf warrior, always a wolf warrior." Nationalism, the centrality of China and her military/economic/political prowess were featured prominently. Firmly announcing "Watch out for China," Wolf Warrior does pinches at time, in propagandist tones.

Think less, enjoy the action :)

Pro-tip: Stay till after the end of the film. Bonus footage and trailer await.

As an african watching this film, with many chinese friends and close associates, this was possibly one of the most cringey experiences i have had. Leave the constant referral to the natives as simply africans , as if they do not possess a nationality, leave the almost insulting pro-chinese propaganda( and yes, i hate pro-american propaganda films too, before anyone starts about that) , this would be overlookable if the film actually had good camera work and story. BUT NO. The camera work and story all look like something out of a cheap youtube sketch. The only thing keeping this thing afloat are the set pieces, which, due to the terrible camera work and almost laughable story, stop them from having any real weight. If this film was from anywhere else it would be rated lower than 5 for most people. Should you watch this , if you are looking for a good Chinese/ Asian action movie? No. There are literally tonnes of better ,do your self a favor and start off with something like "Infernal Affairs" and "Let the bullets fly" or if its not action, anything by Jia Zhangke who is a master of filmmaking in my opinion, and also Chinese

Dont watch this