Kung Fu II, second film

Once Upon a Time in China 2 (Wong Fei Hung ji yi: Naam yi dong ji keung, Tsui Hark, 1992)

This is obviously the second film in the series following Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung (1847-1924), a respected physician as well as a renowned martial artist. There have been made more than a hundred films about this character, many of which are among the most respected and popular kung fu films of all time. This series of films numbered six films, the first three of which are quite good and the latter three not quite up the others.

Tsui Hark is one of the most prolific Hong Kong filmmakers. He has both directed or produced many of the more important local films of the last two decades and his collaborations with directors such as John Woo, Ringo Lam and Woo-Ping Yuen. When Once Upon a Time in China became an international hit he immediately started preparations for a sequel and made a film at least equal and by some accounts superior to the original. Unlike more traditional films following the exploits of Wong Fei Hung this is not only an action or comedy film, but a social study and unquestionably political work. Older Chinese values are studied as well as the changes imposed on Chinese culture by both foreign influences and indepence.

But this is no heavy social drama despite the introspective subtext. The plot takes many twists and the emphasis is on action. Par for the course is the tendency to make the fight scenes even grander than in the first film. This is succesfully done without going over the top and the final duel between Jet Li and Donnie Yen is often considered one of the all-time greatest of the genre.