Black Mask 2

[Despair]

I'm a big fan of Tsui Hark. I like most of his films, even his US productions like Double Team and Knock Off, which many people consider a terrible films. I liked his last two movies, Legend of Zu(visual fx masterpiece) and Time & Tide(breath taking action scenes), so I was looking forward this long delayed project. I like the original Black Mask, that starred Jet Li, and was produced by Tsui Hark, but this time around Jet decided not to return, and Tsui is handling directing duties himself. He is well known for stylish and very visualistic aproach, so I was very excited about BM2. Also, Yuen Woo-Ping, is handling all the fighting scenes, so with him involved you just cant go wrong, right? It was said that some of the sequences in BM2, Woo-Ping used as prototype for what he done in Matrix sequels, so that added even more intrigue to the project.

Then, the bad news started to pour in, production got delayed, then it was decided to just send to to video in US, skipping theatrical release. The film is in English, and cast involves quite a few Proffessional Wrestlers, something that might not look as a good sign to some people. Finally, the release date was revealed, December 31st 2002. Ssbomberman posted a trailer for this film here, about a month ago, and it looked not bad. Very CGI enhanced but not as bad as I found it out after actually watching it.

So What really happened here? The story doesnt make any sense, but I can live with that as long as movie provides me with some enjoyable action, but it wasnt the case this time around. I'll tell you the story anyway. A group of Animal DNA enhanced proffessional wrestlers, find themselves rapidly mutating into wiild beasts. Black Mask also has the same mutant enhancments, so he contacts young female scientist in hopes that she will help him. Evil Shadow Organizaion "Zeus", that apperantly created Black Mask, want him back, and Zeus(who looks like a giant computer) orders Lang(guy with huge super goggles) to hunt and bring BM back alive. So the hunt for BM begins, Wrestlers want BM super DNA, and Lang want BM back, while BM just want to save people of B City from the evil monsters.

Hows the action you ask me? Silly. Imagine Power Rangers episode ehanced with CGI times, and sent into overdrive. Flying, Flying and more flying. Wire tricks abound, but all of them look too silly. Especially combined with Beast superpowers. While Beast make up looks impressive, the battle between superbeast hang on the edge of absurd, and even die hard fans of HK Wire-Fu will laugh them uncouncious, while watching this.

I wondering what was Tsui Hark smoking, when he was making this film. Its up there in realms of High Camp, with his earlier Jet Li production, The Master, but even more silly and ridiculous.

With all the flaws, it shot well. Hark is the Master of Visual Style, so the film does look flashy. But I didnt expected it to be soo Silly.

Still, Give it a rent, if you want to have some great laughs. Watch out great moment with Woman Scientist, who has a touch phobia that sends her into Paralysis like state. Just simply hillarious.

[MechDeus]

...

It is sad to see things get turned so bad during sequels. Hence why I try to generally stay away from HK sequels to good movies, they usually turn out worse then the same problem Hollywood has. Ah well, at least I now know to stay away.

[Dolemite]

Originally posted by MechDeus
...

It is sad to see things get turned so bad during sequels. Hence why I try to generally stay away from HK sequels to good movies, they usually turn out worse then the same problem Hollywood has. Ah well, at least I now know to stay away.

I'd like to see this, just because Rob Van Dam is in it.

The original Black Mask was a great movie, however.

[Despair]

Well, Rob Van Damme playing this Octopus-Spider thing, that looks pretty impressive. But just dont expect any real wrestling in it, most of the fights were done with CGI.

[ssbomberman]

Well I truly love Hark but not since Green Snake have I been more disappointed with his work. I mean his U.S. films have been great thus far--also Van Damme's finest in my opinion.

Usually HK sequels are good in their own way and sometimes better--I like God of Gamblers Return much more than the original--anyway, but this isn't really a HK sequel--it's a straight to video U.S. film done by a drugged up Tsui Hark and company....that's the only way I can rationalize this film...he must have been on something...or held at gunpoint by pro wrestlers who love lizards or something...

It all started promising and had there been more people vs people fighting that would be fine. The opening car chase with some fighting was cool, but then they introduce the wrestlers. And then one becomes a very poorly CGIed lizard. And then...well you get the point.

The good thing is that if you bought this and XXX as I did, you can get a free action DVD from Columbia/Tristar. I myself sent away for Jackie's Snake in the Eagles Shadow DVD, so I don't feel too bad about buying this one. I may even trade it in at EB or something for a few bucks.

Columbia is also running another free DVD offer when you buy Mr. Deeds and another movie from the list included with it. I sent away for Resident Evil, pretty cool...

[Despair]

Well, I didnt buy it. Rented it from Block Buster. I might get it eventually, if I see it for less than $10. The dvd quality was very nice, and Tsui Hark did a good job, with camera work, too bad the fighting relied on CGI more than on actual fighting. While that worked fairly well in Legend of Zu, in fantasy setting, in BM2 it didnt look as good.

The beginning was somewhat cool, as Ssbomberman mentioned, and there were few pretty cool scenes of badguy/monster carnage, (Snake guy devouring human guard alive was very weird).

And then the main villian got stuck in the ass of the stone statue at the end