Tin joek yau ching II: Tin cheung dei gau

Two years after the publicly acclaimed 'A Moment of Romance', Director Benny Chan landed another series of 'AMOR', still with the similar formula of a tragic love story, merciless underground life, beautiful scores and of course a heart-robbing figure lead. This time Aaron Kwok got the honor to replace Andy Lau as the male lead while Jacklyn still took part as the female lead but this time with a complete different character, for the story in 'AMOR II' is basically not connected in any way to the first AMOR.

Aaron plays Frank, a young fellow whom under some sort of guilty feeling following his mother's death, summits to the rebellious life of his own and commits himself to the world of illegal street racing rather than having an established and glamorous life as a rich family's inherent. A fate encountered him with Celia(Jacklyn), a young call girl from Mainland China with a laudable motive who unfortunately happened to be at a wrong time and a wrong place and ended up with a thug head wanting her dead so badly. What happened next is so predictable that Frank took her under his protection with all the consequences, both from the thugs and from an old timer paltry cop.

While trying to level the origin, the sequel in my opinion appears more inferior both in storyline and the main leads' chemistry while the supporting casts are also not as strong, even the remarkable Anthony Wong was only doing so so. Regardless, it still portrays a very memorable moment of romantic sequence even after years. With some over-dramatic scenes that seems a little ridiculous and some chivalrous stunts only to be tolerated by those who're familiar with HK cinema, I really wonder how many of those stunts broke their limbs during the takes. The real pacey plot could be better if only focused more in digging each of the main characters and the relationship between, rather than the racing action flick with all its revealing mistakes, which couldn't really be blamed considering the time it was being produced without CGI and kind. But even if you feel annoyed by the movie all along, the final unbearable scene save it all, and if Benny Chan is to emphasize a tragic love story, I guess it works better in AMOR II than the first and forces some sensitive audiences to spare some tissue.

Of course watching the movie now and by that time(around 1992) won't be the same. By that time Aaron Kwok with his irresistible mega-watt smile and fabulous trend-setter hair style was the HK super male idol and everything he did on screen will be looked as just fine by his overwhelming fans, but now I guess a few younger audience won't even recognize him the way he was. That's why it seems that the script by that time was not really the point, but rather 'Aaron' was the key point to the whole movie. I myself used to think that Aaron is the sort of eye-candy idol which as time flew by, his acting career will also vanished, but I guess I must take it back now that after years passed by, that cute idol figure has somehow transformed into a powerful actor, proved by his recently twice winning at Golden Horse Award in 'best actor' category in sequence (2005 & 2006).

Finally I would recommend this movie for those who seek a memorable tragic love story, and to take a look at once the sexiest Hong Kong male idol. Together with the origin Andy Lau's 'A Moment of Romance', both has been a drifting experience to Hong Kong cinema lovers. As for the foreign audience, you will be tempted to like it after a while. Give it a try!

Right out of the starting gate, it's hard not to be disappointed and perhaps even slightly insulted by A Moment of Romance II. It's horribly unfocused, sharing very little of the original film's excitement or romance along with contrived plotting that doesn't add up to more than manufactured pathos. While the first film at least had some thematic and dramatic justification for its tragic resolution, this one seems to follow a similar pattern to get a rise out of this audience. It doesn't work; you have to care about the characters first. Johnnie To certainly didn't ghost-direct this one... That being said, this is far from a poorly made film, Benny Chan does a more than decent job in the film's direction. The actors all do a decent job with the material given even if Aaron Kwok isn't a real replacement for Andy Lau, the real highlight is the typically slimy Anthony Wong, and the music by William Wu does evoke some form of emotional resonance. Sadly, A Moment in Romance II spreads itself too thin; one that doesn't work as a romance or a thriller, a tragic case of a film trying to be everything to everybody, and ending up as a bit of nothing to no one.

Benny Chan's follow-up to his 1990 mega-hit with Andy Lau, is connected by name only and one of its stars - Jacklyn Wu Chien Lien - who plays a completely different character (actually, she does so in all 3 films of the series). Aaron Kwok is hot AF in this as a rebel teen who, since losing his mum in a horrific car accident, has joined a biker gang and takes part in illegal street races. During one such race, he almost knocks down Wu, who is on the run from some triads who have forced her into prostitution!

A Moment Of Romance 2 is pretty much more of the same, yet something feels like its missing. Kwok and Wu do a fine job in their roles, as does everyone, including Kwan Hoi San who gets a nice rainy punch-up with Kowk in an alleyway, and plays a cop who looks out for them both. Plenty of street racing, with some painful looking stunt work, and typical early 90's triad action keeps things going as the doomed relationship between Kwok and Wu blossom.

Of course, its never a simple as that, and many dark moments follow leading to that tragic and emotional ending we all know was coming...

While its few flaws may show, A Moment Of Romance 2 still entertains as a fantastic Hong Kong movie, with the gorgeous Aaron Kwok making it one of the main reasons to watch!

Overall: Not as perfect as its predecessor, but a fine sequel with nice action and drama that brings a tear to the eye!