Shock Wave 2

Done like only the eastern film makers do with lots of emotional scenes, overly sentimental music, overblown special effects, totally implauseable bomb making and some chop suey kung fooey thrown in...but I love it; as well as the ending it makes a refreshing change to the endless Marvel hollywood remakes. Acting is well above average and the CGI for the most part is actually not bad at all and it does not follow many what we in the West would call the standard movie making rules which is a good thing and makes it the more enjoyable. It is a real popcorn out and just switch brain off type of movie and is well above par - Solid 6.5 out of ten!

Another 'switch you brain off' kind of HK action film from Herman Yau. Some decisions by its characters might be questionable but cast did great job to keep the shooting and explosion going at a fast pace. Andy Lau got darker role to deliver emotional payoff.

source: Shock Wave 2

Another 'switch you brain off' kind of HK action film from Herman Yau. Some decisions by its characters might be questionable but cast did great job to keep the shooting and explosion going at a fast pace. Andy Lau got darker role to deliver emotional payoff.

Starring and produced by award-winning actor Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers, Infernal Affairs, God of Gamblers), this film finds the actor playing former bomb disposal officer, Poon Shing-Fung. Despite suffering from amnesia and the loss of his leg in an explosion five years ago, he still becomes the top suspect of a terrorist attack called Vendetta and must also evade the police and stop a terrorist group from destroying Hong Kong. That said, this movie is a new story and has nothing to do with the first movie, so you can come in fresh. Directed and written by Herman Yau (the first Shock Wave, Ip Man: The Final Fight), this film debuted at the top of the global box office, grossing $63.9 million in its opening weekend. Beyond Lau, one reason is the action choreography by Li Chung-Chi, the same man who is famous for The Legend of the Drunken Master, Twin Dragons and Rumble in the Bronx. Also known as Shock Wave: Hong Kong Destruction, this movie starts with Hong Kong Airport exploding and only gets more action-packed as it moves to action scene to action scene. Lau is in his sixties but can still get you cheering for his high energy work, much less doing so much of it with just one leg (thanks to some solid CGI). If you miss the old days of Hong Kong action, you may want to give this a try.

SHOCK WAVE 2 is an unconnected sequel to the first movie, despite Andy Lau returning in a very similar role and Herman Yau back as director. This one's even better, going down a more unconventional character-focused route which plays up the mystery of Lau's sensibilities in a classic amnesia-focused storyline. It's engaging, inventive stuff, mixing in the usual terrorism bomb plot with some quite wonderful action sequences, the Bourne-style chases and a hospital set-piece in particular the tough highlights here. Lau is on fine form and keeps you guessing throughout, and the thrills compensate for the slightly slower middle section. This is the kind of film that shows Hong Kong's still got it when comes to thrillers.

Finally got to see this. The sequel to 2017's fun action thriller again stars Andy Lau, but the two films' stories are unrelated. That doesn't mean you're not gonna see Lau defusing bombs again, because that's exactly what's up in the first portion of the film. He and Sean Lau are both bomb squad experts and personal friends, as we get to know very early on. But events happen that force them to be separated and Andy becomes a wanted man. What transpires from this basic setup is an entertaining action film that's fast paced and almost gripping at times. There is a quick succession of shootouts and chases that doesn't let up until the film's 50 minute mark. It's somewhere in those minutes that the film's flaws become more apparent and the film less involving. You realize that the plot is as generic as they come, with some barely believable twists and turns taking place. And the action grows a bit stale with little inspiration from more successful Asian action thrillers, especially in regard to distracting special effects (so much CGI blood). Still, there are individual moments here that make up for the film's shortcomings. The ever present threat of nuclear doom hangs over the proceedings, lending SW2 a darker feel than its predecessor. Pulse-quickening bomb defusing sequences offer some of the film's highlights, but that doesn't mean there aren't enough spectacular explosions here to satisfy everyone's destructive spirit. Having said that, you still remain kind of underwhelmed after it's over. Just a sense that more could have been done with the plot and the film's intensity should have been more frequently on a higher level, given that the runtime sometimes feels stretched out. However, it's a good way to spend 2 hours of undemanding fun if you're up for it, just don't expect a great HK action thriller like we used to get until a few years ago.

Bigger and better - this is the general motto when it comes to sequels, it seems. But is it always better to go this route? Sometimes sticking to a formula that worked, is better. The first 'Shock Wave' had a simple premise and it was high profile entertainment. It was realistic and therefore more suspenseful. With 'Shock Wave 2' they attempted Hollywood style action sequences with lots of CGI. Although the action sequences are fast paced and well done, they are not necessarily better than its predecessor. Having said that, it is also not bad. It is thrilling and exciting and the stunts are incredible. There is no suspense here, though, and the film is not as intense as 'Shock Wave' was, and doesn't have the same emotional impact of the first film. Andy Lau is back, but as a different character. His character, Poon Shing Fung, reminds us of Bourne in the original Bourne film, where he can't remember much and trying to unravel his past - trying to determine whether he is a good guy, or the bad guy. For most parts, it works well. Andy Lau is a great actor and the action sequences more than compensated where the plot lacked credibility. There's also an exciting 20-minute finale. Would I watch it again? Maybe, but I do prefer 'Shock Wave'.

The question is one sentence: If you can't get into the police department you want, will u turn to the dark side, becoming a terrorist? Emotional logic skips so far. The rest is fine!

Finally come a great Hongkong action movie since its glory moment in the 90s.action, editing, camera angle all done in world class standard.Should focus more time in Andy Lau turning good again, but overall still great.