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Goo waak jai 2: Ji maang lung gwoh gong More at IMDbPro »

6 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Superior sequel, 11 January 2005

Author: Libretio

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

YOUNG AND DANGEROUS 2 (Gu Huo Zai 2: Zhi Meng Long Guo Jiang)

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Mono

Rushed into theaters mere months after its predecessor unexpectedly hit box-office gold, this superior sequel uses much the same cast and crew (including writer Manfred Wong and director-cinematographer Andrew Lau), to much better effect. Whilst hiding out in Taiwan following events in the previous film, Hung Hing triad member Jordan Chan worms his way into the rival San Luen group and endears himself to boss Kelly Lai, who is currently running for high office in the country's parliament. However, Chan is forced to act as mediator between the San Luen and Hung Hing triads during fraught negotiations over some lucrative casino properties, while his old friend (Ekin Cheng) is distracted by a turf war with villainous rival Anthony Wong (THE UNTOLD STORY). Chan falls under the spell of Lai's beautiful mistress (Chingmy Yau), leading to a terrible betrayal which places Chan and Cheng in mortal danger...

Working with a much tighter script this time around, director Lau avoids many of the time-wasting fripperies and stylistic flourishes which almost sank the previous entry, and the tone is much more dramatic, as the characters are forced to deal with the fallout from an unexpected murder, and old loyalties are tested to breaking point. Chan dominates the film as a happy-go-lucky guy, loyal to his friends and masters but careless of triad etiquette, while sex-bomb Yau (NAKED KILLER) plays her signature role of the duplicitous beauty whose outward appearance masks depths of violence and depravity. Wong is obnoxious and colorful in the kind of role he was born to play, and he's involved in a climactic twist that will take most viewers quite by surprise. Like its predecessor, the film looks rushed and sloppy in places, but it's well-played by an engaging cast, and the pace is relentless. Spencer Lam, Jason Chu, Simon Yam and Moses Chan appear in minor supporting roles. Hugely successful, the movie was followed by YOUNG AND DANGEROUS 3 (1996), which opened to similar box office returns later the same year.

(Cantonese and Mandarin dialogue)

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