2002

I sat down in 2022 to watch the 2001 Hong Kong fantasy action movie "2002" for the second time since it was released. I recall having seen the movie shortly after it was initially released, but I just couldn't recall the storyline. So I opted to watch it for a second time.

And while the concept of the storyline in "2002" is interesting, and writers Vincent Kok, Chi-Kin Kwok and Kam-Yuen Szeto were on to something, then directors Wilson Yip and William Darvill just failed to bring something outstanding to the screen.

Sure, I will say that "2002" is certainly watchable, but the movie is just lacking something to spice it up, because it is a fairly bland and generic flavored dish.

"2002" does have a fairly adequate cast ensemble, with the likes of Nicholas Tse, Stephen Fung and also Sam Lee.

Visually then "2002" was adequate back in the day when it was released, and while the effects still are passable today, they are showing signs of aging.

There are far better movies of the same type available, even from the Hong Kong cinema. And "2002" just didn't manage to stand out, so I fear that it will slowly fade back into the mists and become a distant memory of a movie having already been seen.

My rating of "2002" lands on a four out of ten stars.

2002 is the ghostbusting department of the Hong Kong Police. The hero is fated to cause the death of anyone he gets close to, which cramps his love-life somewhat. He gets through partners rather quickly too, since they die, become super-powered ghost partners and then get re-incarnated. His mentor sells paper offerings for the hero to burn for their ghost friends.

The script is always intelligent and witty. The action sequences are just right - they move the plot along without dominating it and are great fun. The acting and directing are both excellent and the main characters are likeable and sexy - strong, but vulnerable.

We laughed out-loud, especially at the comments that brought the characters down to earth. We didn't actually cry at the pathos but it was there.

This review relates to the English subtitled version shown on TV.

From director Wilson Yip - famed for his work on the Ip Man movies - comes a film that is nothing like those modern classics, although entertains on a different level altogether. Starring 3 of the Gen-X Cops (Tse, Fung and Lee), this action-horror-comedy has some funny moments that come courtesy of its tongue-in-cheek melodrama, comed situations, and over-the-top action. Its like Men In Black (where they chase ghosts instead of aliens) blended with a Stephen Chow Sing Chi film (albeit a weaker one), with action scenes that reminded me of the classic Saviour Of The Soul...

The comedy element of course was no doubt influenced more so by producer and co-writer Vincent Kok who directed Chow in the hilarious Forbidden City Cop, and helped write the equally hilarious God Of Cookery! This film is no where near as funny as those previous efforts, but it does bring some laughs to the table!

Action choreographer Tony Poon Kin Kwan has been in the business from the early 80's and is behind the action on some absolute crackers from Hong Kong's golden years. In 2002, with the supernatural influence his action is a mix of wire-fu, over-cranking and under-cranking, as well as special effect battles with fire and water. So don't be expecting any martial arts gold, but it still entertains.

While Sam Lee really only has a small part as Tse's ghost friend, its really Nicholas and Stephen who carry the film. As much as I enjoy them (most of the time), they seem almost too young for these roles with their boyish looks and giggles making it unconvincing when it comes to their job. If this had been made in the late 80's or early 90's, the team up of characters played by Tse and Fung would have easily been played by Andy Lau and Chow Sing Chi, respectively. In fact - I'm only sorry it wasn't as I would love to have seen that!

Look, I really enjoy 2002. Its nicely shot and promotes that awesome palette of Hong Kong film night-lighting that I love. It has comedy, it has action, it has fantasy - but it just never seems to reach that wow factor that makes me want to love it... There's nothing really bad about it, but it just seems to keep the same level of entertainment throughout (or less) - gently shifting gears a tad for the final showdown of course.

Overall: Hardly a classic, but 2002 wants to be loved and passes the time in a fun way!

Version: Cantonese, with English subtitles (by SBS)

When watching movies on SBS, I'm prepared for nearly anything. Obviously my definition of 'anything' didn't include an action/horror movie from Hong Kong that was essentially 'Ghostbusters' if it were a kung-fu movie. SBS rules.

'2002' follows a police-unit dealing with the supernatural. Each team is comprised of a human / ghost partnership. When Tide's (Nicholas Tse) partner is re-incarnated, Tide finds a new partner in Fung (Stephen Fung). Fung doesn't know about the human / ghost rule, nor does he realize that anyone close to Tide is doomed to die. Meanwhile, some nasty demons are running around Hong Kong, and they're pretty angry.

The story of '2002' is pretty good. The characters are likable, and the movie was well written. Some things weren't explained very well, but that shouldn't be a problem for anyone interested in these movies or the general subject (Chinese mythology).

Action-wise, '2002' kicks arse. There is a lot of wire-work and CGI. I normally don't like CGI, but I'll forgive it here as the fight scenes were pretty damn-cool. Be warned though, the fight-scenes in this exist to serve to explain the story, and not for the sake of action. Some of these fights are broken up by flashbacks, etc and may drag-on for those not keen on the plot.

8/10 - Check it out if like HK action movies.

2002

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Dolby Digital

A psychic cop (Nicholas Tse) who battles wayward ghosts for the Hong Kong police department is teamed with an eager rookie (Stephen Fung) destined to die and become his ghostly helper. But their plans are thwarted by a vengeful water spirit (Alex Fong), who emerges from the Other Side to destroy them both...

Long on spectacle and short on plot, Wilson Yip's half-hearted blockbuster contains a typical mixture of awkward comedy and heart-rending melodrama, assembled in piecemeal fashion by no less than four credited screenwriters (Vincent Kok, Gwok Ji-kin, Szeto Yam-kuen and Yip himself)! Fate and Destiny play an important role in the patchwork narrative, though such philosophical musings are quickly submerged beneath a tide of CGI effects and wire-fu combat sequences (choreographed by Poon Kin-gwan), including a remarkable fight between Tse and Fong in a swimming pool which rings the changes on an old formula, in no uncertain terms.

However, the film exists primarily as a vehicle for its leading men, both of whom are rendered beautiful by Poon Hang-sang's flattering camera-work and Stephen Tsang's 'Matrix'-style costumes, co-designed by Stephanie Wong. As with so many HK movies of this type, Tse and Fung are given a couple of lacklustre romantic interests (Danielle Graham and Rain Li), but Yip focuses primarily on the intense relationship between the film's male protagonists, and their mutual affection is invested with a fair degree of homoerotic pathos. Sam Lee and industry veteran Law Kar-ying are featured in supporting roles, while Yip himself cameos as a doctor.

(Cantonese dialogue)