Shock Wave 2

The question is one sentence: If you can't get into the police department you want, will u turn to the dark side, becoming a terrorist? Emotional logic skips so far. The rest is fine!

Finally got to see this. The sequel to 2017's fun action thriller again stars Andy Lau, but the two films' stories are unrelated. That doesn't mean you're not gonna see Lau defusing bombs again, because that's exactly what's up in the first portion of the film. He and Sean Lau are both bomb squad experts and personal friends, as we get to know very early on. But events happen that force them to be separated and Andy becomes a wanted man.

What transpires from this basic setup is an entertaining action film that's fast paced and almost gripping at times. There is a quick succession of shootouts and chases that doesn't let up until the film's 50 minute mark. It's somewhere in those minutes that the film's flaws become more apparent and the film less involving. You realize that the plot is as generic as they come, with some barely believable twists and turns taking place. And the action grows a bit stale with little inspiration from more successful Asian action thrillers, especially in regard to distracting special effects (so much CGI blood).

Still, there are individual moments here that make up for the film's shortcomings. The ever present threat of nuclear doom hangs over the proceedings, lending SW2 a darker feel than its predecessor. Pulse-quickening bomb defusing sequences offer some of the film's highlights, but that doesn't mean there aren't enough spectacular explosions here to satisfy everyone's destructive spirit.

Having said that, you still remain kind of underwhelmed after it's over. Just a sense that more could have been done with the plot and the film's intensity should have been more frequently on a higher level, given that the runtime sometimes feels stretched out. However, it's a good way to spend 2 hours of undemanding fun if you're up for it, just don't expect a great HK action thriller like we used to get until a few years ago.

Done like only the eastern film makers do with lots of emotional scenes, overly sentimental music, overblown special effects, totally implauseable bomb making and some chop suey kung fooey thrown in...but I love it; as well as the ending it makes a refreshing change to the endless Marvel hollywood remakes.

Acting is well above average and the CGI for the most part is actually not bad at all and it does not follow many what we in the West would call the standard movie making rules which is a good thing and makes it the more enjoyable. It is a real popcorn out and just switch brain off type of movie and is well above par - Solid 6.5 out of ten!

This film completely blew me away. Right from the start, I was captivated by the intensity of the story. It does not slow down at all, and keeps me entranced every second right until the end. I am quite amazed by the quality of the production of this film. The only thing I could complain about is that the female lead's Putonghua mouth movements does not match her spoken Cantonese words. Otherwise, I truly lived very second of this film!

Visually this is as stunning as it can be. Story wise you may have some issues. And your moral compass might also be in the way - from you enjoying this. Because after all is said and done, this is supposed to be entertaining.

Andy Lau is always worth watching and in this sequel he is phenomenal. His character does take some turns here that you just have to go along with. I actually thought of some cliches that would explain things ... but no, this does not take any prisoners in that regard. Can you dig that? If so, you are in for quite the excitement.