Han cheng gong lüe

"Tokyo Raiders", made in 2000, was a fun, lightweight action film that didn't exactly cry out for a sequel. But after five whole years one was made anyway, and it is another fun, lightweight action film that manages to equal, if not top, its predecessor. There are some creative fight / chase scenes (in the subway, on the wings of a bi-plane, etc.), and most of them have a comic element as well. It's always nice to see a Hong Kong film with real martial arts and limited wire-work and CGI, though the editing can be confusing at times. Tony Leung is a cool and suave lead, like an Asian version of James Bond. Shu Qi is charming, if perhaps underused action-wise. And Richie Ren does a good job of replacing Ekin Cheng (not in the same role) from the first film. Overall, "Seoul Raiders" is a film that doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is - pure entertainment - and I enjoyed it on that level both times I saw it. (**1/2)

Any reviewer that takes "Seoul Raiders" seriously as a film is either on the take or mentally defective. This film is a ludicrous romp where Tony Leung CW and Shu Qi ham it up shamelessly as ultracool and irresistible superspies in a Korea where the bad guys have neither guns nor knives, and are constrained to fight only with fists and feet. Surprisingly enough, the film is pleasantly watchable, primarily because Tony Leung CW and Shu Qi really are ultracool and irresistible. They even tell us so in the movie. It's fun to watch them mug their way through this movie, although one hopes that this is the last "Raiders" picture (after the previous "Tokyo Raiders") that Jingle Ma will inflict. Richie Ren plays the straight man role to make Tony Leung look all the more wonderful by comparison. One only wishes that the three babes backing up Tony Leung had more screen time.

"Seoul Raiders" is a great sequel to the "Tokyo Raiders" movie. Why? Well because it has what you need in a Hong Kong movie; action, comedy, martial arts, and of course a good story.

The story starts out in Hong Kong where Lam (played by Tony Leung) meets JJ (played by Shu Qi) during a robbery for some plates to make money. US government agent Owen (played by Richie Ren) is to take the plates into custody, but someone gets tricked. The trail leads to Seoul, Korea, and the chase is on. But who tricks who, and who can you trust?

The action scenes in "Seoul Raiders" were nicely choreographed and with just enough comedy to make it great - and by that I mean it is not Jackie Chan action comedy (eventhough that is awesome, by the way). But "Seoul Raiders" manages to mix in comedy in the action, and it works out well enough. And the dialogue is full of funny remarks as well, which helps it along. However, it is sort of odd that there are very little use of guns in this movie. You would assume that Korean mobsters or criminals would be carrying and using guns. But no, it was all handled by hand and foot here, in displays of good martial arts. Don't expect the martial arts scenes to be in the scales of Jackie Chan or Donnie Yen, then you will just be disappointed. But still, the martial arts was great and nicely choreographed.

However, the movie was carried by two of the bigger stars of Hong Kong cinema, that being Tony Leung and Shu Qi. It should be said that Richie Ren did a great job as well, but to know who he is, you must really be into Hong Kong cinema, as he is not as established outside Asia as Tony Leung and Shu Qi are. The Korean recruited cast also did great jobs with their roles.

"Seoul Raiders" is good entertainment both story-wise, action-wise and comedy-wise, as it merges all three genres quite well.

I'd give this a lower rating if I could, and that's not because I don't "GET the Asian genre." I love Asian films (being Asian myself), even during times when the story lines become overbearingly sentimental, cute or cloying.

But this one... I could barely get past the first 15 minutes. Each time I saw that smug face of Richie Renn's character I wanted to punch him in the nose. No offense to the actor himself (as I know there are many of his fans probably reading this), but I really hated the character. And his entourage of 3 Korean "babes" -- give me a break! All they did was follow him around and display the worst martial arts skills this side of Kung Pao.

I like Tony Leung, and Qi Shu always makes nice eye candy, but c'mon -- couldn't they have come up with something better than this? It's like they're all sleepwalking through their roles. And the ridiculous subtitles? Who distributed this? I've seen more coherent sentences coming from a 3-year old preschooler.

Movies like this make films like the incredibly bad "Dream of a Warrior" instant classics by comparison. What next? Calcutta Raiders? Mercy, please...

Well i would like to start with the screenplay..like the previous part the story also somehow remains the same..two guys n one girl..guys fight and girl well she too..but on the other hand...the whole storyline was good but the only thing that was lacking is the climax..could have been much better like the previous one so a total letdown in the end but otherwise the director somehow manages to keep the audience engaged till the end.

I would like to also talk about the cinematography. though HK cinema or any other cinemas are famous for their experimentation in the fight scenes and no matter where you go one will always find that Asian Stunt Directors always does superior jobs compared to Hollywood..but some times too many cooks spoils the broth..that's what happened here..i found that at some places fight scenes were not enough creative for which HK cinema is known for and moreover the camera angles in some fighting sequences were not great and i was not feeling at ease while watching them throw punches and kicks without proper lighting or too much slow motion spoiled the mood. so the action lets you down some where but still good situational stunts keeps the interest alive.

Now the performance part..like previous part the Tony Leung Chiu Wai as Lam steals the show with his comical performance and daring stunts..and QI SHU as JJ stole the show..she was like a fresh air which entertained with her looks and performance and kept the movie entertaining during the whole time..Richie Ren as Owen Lee does OK..though there was nothing much to do for others!!

It was overall a good experience..Tony and Richie Ren's comic scenes keeps the Pace alive so you don't feel the shortcomings of this annoying.. So one time watch but don't expect anything extraordinary..!!

My Rating 7/10.