Tang ren jie tan an 2

Here's the imaginatively titled sequel to the 2015 movie. This time the loud, idiotic, blustering (distant) uncle and the stammering brilliant nephew are summoned to New York. There's been a murder, and "Uncle Seven" is offering a huge reward if any of a dozen private detectives can figure out who did it before the police do, and before he dies.

It's a comedy mystery set in New York City, and the mystery is a nicely tangled one that turns into a serial killing, with all the clues properly laid out in front of the movie audience in advance. I was less pleased with the other aspects of the movie -- the comedy bits varied over the shop, with a few gags that worked, but the interactions between the leads not very good; and the geography of New York City in this movie bears as little relationship to the New York I've lived in all my life as.... well, as a typical Hollywood movie set here, which is to say, almost none.

Still, there are enough recurring characters and set-ups that the film-makers clearly have yet another sequel in store. This one looks to be set in Tokyo.

The movie expands on the world building of Crime Detectives with a Ranking app for worldwide case solving. Our young lead is currently #2 (and still a genius), while his uncle/cousin is more annoying than he was in the first story.. But without him, the movie would not have taken place, as he ropes the lead into solving a case for money. He isn't as useless this time around.. but still clashed with my expectations for the sequel as soon as he appeared.

Many other Detectives from the Ranking App show up for a bit of competition, and a race to find the culprit begins!

I have to say that the mystery, this time around, isn't as well written or interesting.. which is quite a detriment. The jokes are less funny. And somethings that happened "dumbed down the reality" in which they inhabit.

Anyway, Since the first movie was a Chinese production filmed completely in Thailand's Chinatown, it only makes sense that the sequel takes place in New York's Chinatown. It is, again, a seemingly-high budgeted movie with great production value! But WOW, am I torn on it's quality! It is highly interesting at times.. And it is comically DUMB and BAD at others. The tonal disparity is just too large, making the movie a mess.. enough for me not to want to recommend it at all. And the same applies to the cast! There are some REALLY good characters, but many others that are terrible!!! Shang Yu Xian was my favorite character, and a good addition to the movie for obvious reasons. Michael Pitt was one of the worst, whom I've never really liked in anything he's been.. like his disappointing role as Mason Verger in Hannibal.

... But what I liked, I really liked. And strangely enough, I can't wait to see the third entry! As of now, I can't say I understand why it is as popular.. but I hope not to be (more) disappointed.

A gangster arranged detective association for find his son's killer.. Nice story screenplay and comedy and finally good twist in climax.. Must watch movie..!!

As a Spring Festival Film, the plot and rhythm are basically passed. It's just that there are too many rubbish lines that make the protagonist's whole super second grade. In addition, there are logical defects in reasoning, which do not rule out that the writers ignore other perspectives according to their own ideas when they write the script, but should you copy homework to improve it? I hope the third part can strengthen the plot and reduce the noise and meaningless plot.

The editing, cinematography, and soundtrack are top-notch, and Wang Baoqiang's high pitch line delivery simply shows why he is the best actor of his generation and one of the biggest comedy stars in China. The screenplay is however a mess and the plot lacks any sense of credibility. Chen Sicheng just put everything together, and in the end you do not know what was exactly happening. All in all, this is a sequel that cannot match the original movie in 2015.