What can I say about this movie that hasn't been said a billion times already? In my opinion, it's Jackie's masterpiece, and one of the finest martial arts movies ever made. A quick summary of all it has going for it:
1. Amazing action sequences. Showstoppers one and all, from the fight beneath the train to Jackie vs. the Small Axe Gang to the final battle...each one is more unbelievable than the last.
2. Drunken boxing! I love drunken boxing and can never get enough of it, especially when Jackie's the man showing it off.
3. Gorgeous cinematography. This movie is lush, well-filmed with beautiful sets and scenery. None of the rush-job look to it that mars any number of Jackie's films, this one is just lovely to behold.
4. A plot that for the most part hangs together! You can actually follow the clever little story here, as an accidental swapping of packages on a train leads Jackie's Wong Fei-Hong into a nasty scheme to smuggle out some of Hong Kong's treasures.
5. Smart humor. For once, most of the jokes and physical humor are really funny! Clever slapstick routines and especially some graceful humor from Anita Mui as WFH's spirited step-mother add immensely to the enjoyment.
6. Jackie suffering! Yes, angst fans, there's good stuff to be found here. Poor WFH gets totally sloshed then gets booted out on the street by his father, then gets beaten and humiliated by the bad guys...whew! And wait till the final battle sequence where he gets pushed back onto a bed of burning coals, and then swigs down industrial strength alcohol to go crazy on Ken Lo. Whew!
7. Great supporting cast. Ti Lung and Anita Mui are especially excellent, but all of the cast is good and you won't be cringing from hammy acting in this one.
It's not the slashiest thing around, okay, but you won't care. You'll be too wrapped up in the rest of the fun. This is maybe not the best movie to show to someone unfamiliar with Jackie's stuff--show 'em the much tamer but still fun "Rush Hour" or "Shanghai Noon" instead. But once someone's gotten a taste for Jackie, show 'em DM2 to show 'em exactly why this man is and deserves to be an action legend.
'Nuff said.
SUMMARY:
Overall rating: A+
Droolworthiness: A Jackie has rarely looked better than in WFH's flowing robes...especially all in white in the end sequence.
Slashiness: B Upon a few more rewatchings, there's actually a bit of nice subtext between Fei-Hung and Tsan, his friend and rival kung fu fighter.
Action: A+ Classic stuff, scenes you'll want to rewatch over and over again.
