102 reviews
As far as action movies go, this was pretty good. Director Wu put a lot of time and energy in this and it pays off. The fight scenes, chases, and suspense was well done and the movie never seemed to stop the action. Acting was not Oscar winning but sufficient. Throughout the movie is interspersed China feel-good themes that even Beijing would be happy with... national pride, respect of China from others, participant in international law, etc. But what country doesn't have their own feel-good flicks? US certainly has their share. Overall a big improvement from the first movie. Not sure this movie will be popular outside China but maybe that doesn't matter.
- willShouldDid
- Aug 11, 2017
- Permalink
A massive improvement when compared to its forgettable predecessor, Wolf Warrior 2 brings essential upgrades to almost all aspects and makes for an action-packed & thoroughly entertaining sequel. All the jingoistic touches & national glory is still there but this time, it goes international as the story lets the Chinese military step out of its own borders and play the role of global peacekeepers, something that USA loves to portray itself as.
Co-written & directed by Wu Jing, the film makes a solid impression in the opening scene itself - a masterly shot & brilliantly choreographed underwater fight segment filmed in a single take and it only elevates from there on. The plot exhibits a better structure, focuses mainly on the lone wolf than the wolf pack and is more balanced in its narrative approach. Wu also ups the action, destruction & body counts with a dynamic display of violent gunfights & athletic prowess.
The setting moves from mainland China to Africa and its depiction is no different from how Hollywood perceives the Africans to be: people without nationality and smeared in blood, sickness & poverty. Nevertheless, the enhancements in other aspects helps keep the interest alive and it never runs out of action, thanks to its never-ending set pieces. Adding fuel to fire is its kinetic camerawork & improved pacing. The gweilo cast overacts as usual but Frank Grillo plays the baddie with finesse.
Overall, Wolf Warrior 2 is bigger, better & bolder than the first entry in all the ways imaginable, and is an explosive extravaganza that's going to appease most genre enthusiasts if not all. Some issues from the previous chapter are still around such as lame dialogues, dodgy CGI, mediocre acting & more. But the advancements in so many departments at once, plus its consistent delivery of intense action makes this sequel a winning material. It isn't without its flaws but after the bore its original was, it sure is a welcome delight.
Co-written & directed by Wu Jing, the film makes a solid impression in the opening scene itself - a masterly shot & brilliantly choreographed underwater fight segment filmed in a single take and it only elevates from there on. The plot exhibits a better structure, focuses mainly on the lone wolf than the wolf pack and is more balanced in its narrative approach. Wu also ups the action, destruction & body counts with a dynamic display of violent gunfights & athletic prowess.
The setting moves from mainland China to Africa and its depiction is no different from how Hollywood perceives the Africans to be: people without nationality and smeared in blood, sickness & poverty. Nevertheless, the enhancements in other aspects helps keep the interest alive and it never runs out of action, thanks to its never-ending set pieces. Adding fuel to fire is its kinetic camerawork & improved pacing. The gweilo cast overacts as usual but Frank Grillo plays the baddie with finesse.
Overall, Wolf Warrior 2 is bigger, better & bolder than the first entry in all the ways imaginable, and is an explosive extravaganza that's going to appease most genre enthusiasts if not all. Some issues from the previous chapter are still around such as lame dialogues, dodgy CGI, mediocre acting & more. But the advancements in so many departments at once, plus its consistent delivery of intense action makes this sequel a winning material. It isn't without its flaws but after the bore its original was, it sure is a welcome delight.
- CinemaClown
- Jun 21, 2021
- Permalink
A pretty good movie given the quality of most Chinese movies. Great efforts are put into producing exciting and vivid scenes of shootings and fights. However, the story is way too simple and unreal. The bad mercenaries are just bad and obsessed with killing the hero and people round him. Ironically, the warlord who hires them keeps telling them not to mess with Chinese but mercenaries totally ignores his order for reason unknown to us. An obvious dilemma is the producer wants to show that average African people love Chinese people and African warlords are afraid of China, which is politically correct in China. But still, there must be a Chinese-hating crazy paranoiac.
The hero, on the other hand, is really heroic and capable of fighting. But he never uses his brain. He, with the help of a security head and a rich second generation, keeps fighting against a small army with snipers, tanks and drones. And the hero wins in the end.
The hero, on the other hand, is really heroic and capable of fighting. But he never uses his brain. He, with the help of a security head and a rich second generation, keeps fighting against a small army with snipers, tanks and drones. And the hero wins in the end.
Cringe content... i have so many many issues that i can't diacuss all of them . in short the acting, dialogue, camera work was horrible. i wonder how this movie collected that much money!. china has a lot of very wonderful movies that i love. this movie only has some ok action scenes.although some of them are pointless.
Wolf Warrior 2 wants to have it both ways. It wants to be about Chinese exceptionalism, but also wants to show the world a China and the her people, that are at one with the world community. It's a movie that wants to tug on the heartstrings of audiences at home and abroad, but fumbles the latter due to eschewing the universal human element in favor of focusing on exclusively the people of China (and their symbols and institutions).
But it was a pretty entertaining action movie, and interesting propaganda piece (I didn't see the first movie, but it didn't seem to matter much). The cgi was dodgy, but the action and fight choreography were really slick and inventive. There were also a couple cool plot wrinkles late in the movie that were really good, along with one of the most well done third act product placements I've ever seen.
**SPOILERS**
The main story line followed the hero, as he tried to save a few VIPs, along with African and Chinese workers trapped in the conflict zone. It was pretty straightforward stuff.
Now the secondary story line was where almost all the juicy propaganda was placed, the main thrust of which was is in how the Chinese people, and their government, were depicted as sticking by Africa and its people as western governments had abandoned it.
All the Westerners in the movie were in Africa under the sponsorship of stateless private, and non-governmental groups (UN and unspecified business interests) the latter of which were behind the bad guys. And it's the Western bad guys that were aiding and abetting African insurgents, who were murdering hundreds of their fellow Africans in the movie, and threatening to undermine the work that the Chinese government backed businesses were doing on the ground.
Not surprisingly it's the second plot, the propaganda plot, which was more effectively pulled off... building to a jingoistic pro Chinese climax that obviously struck a cord with audiences there.
Unfortunately, that came at the expense of giving the lead character a really organically heart felt ending. Yeah he avenges the death of his lover, but that's handled in a cold, matter of fact way that was unsatisfying. The same went for the burgeoning father/son relationship between the hero and the charismatic African boy whose mother he promised to save. Yeah he did it, but it was all so matter of fact. The execution was done as if they were merely boxes to be ticked. There was no heart behind the craft... that went elsewhere.
**END OF SPOILERS**
And that's a shame because the film could have had a real universal heart that resonated with audiences across the globe, instead of just in China. I'm not begrudging the movie it's jingoistic ending, that's cool, but it didn't have to come at the cost of leaving he rest of us out in the cold. The films loss and ours.
But again, Wolf Warrior 2 is a fine effort nonetheless. It's an action movie, and a pretty darn good one at that.
But it was a pretty entertaining action movie, and interesting propaganda piece (I didn't see the first movie, but it didn't seem to matter much). The cgi was dodgy, but the action and fight choreography were really slick and inventive. There were also a couple cool plot wrinkles late in the movie that were really good, along with one of the most well done third act product placements I've ever seen.
**SPOILERS**
The main story line followed the hero, as he tried to save a few VIPs, along with African and Chinese workers trapped in the conflict zone. It was pretty straightforward stuff.
Now the secondary story line was where almost all the juicy propaganda was placed, the main thrust of which was is in how the Chinese people, and their government, were depicted as sticking by Africa and its people as western governments had abandoned it.
All the Westerners in the movie were in Africa under the sponsorship of stateless private, and non-governmental groups (UN and unspecified business interests) the latter of which were behind the bad guys. And it's the Western bad guys that were aiding and abetting African insurgents, who were murdering hundreds of their fellow Africans in the movie, and threatening to undermine the work that the Chinese government backed businesses were doing on the ground.
Not surprisingly it's the second plot, the propaganda plot, which was more effectively pulled off... building to a jingoistic pro Chinese climax that obviously struck a cord with audiences there.
Unfortunately, that came at the expense of giving the lead character a really organically heart felt ending. Yeah he avenges the death of his lover, but that's handled in a cold, matter of fact way that was unsatisfying. The same went for the burgeoning father/son relationship between the hero and the charismatic African boy whose mother he promised to save. Yeah he did it, but it was all so matter of fact. The execution was done as if they were merely boxes to be ticked. There was no heart behind the craft... that went elsewhere.
**END OF SPOILERS**
And that's a shame because the film could have had a real universal heart that resonated with audiences across the globe, instead of just in China. I'm not begrudging the movie it's jingoistic ending, that's cool, but it didn't have to come at the cost of leaving he rest of us out in the cold. The films loss and ours.
But again, Wolf Warrior 2 is a fine effort nonetheless. It's an action movie, and a pretty darn good one at that.
- Eclectic-Boogaloo
- Aug 29, 2017
- Permalink
As an african watching this film, with many chinese friends and close associates, this was possibly one of the most cringey experiences i have had. Leave the constant referral to the natives as simply africans , as if they do not possess a nationality, leave the almost insulting pro-chinese propaganda( and yes, i hate pro-american propaganda films too, before anyone starts about that) , this would be overlookable if the film actually had good camera work and story.
BUT NO. The camera work and story all look like something out of a cheap youtube sketch. The only thing keeping this thing afloat are the set pieces, which, due to the terrible camera work and almost laughable story, stop them from having any real weight. If this film was from anywhere else it would be rated lower than 5 for most people.
Should you watch this , if you are looking for a good Chinese/ Asian action movie? No. There are literally tonnes of better ,do your self a favor and start off with something like "Infernal Affairs" and "Let the bullets fly" or if its not action, anything by Jia Zhangke who is a master of filmmaking in my opinion, and also Chinese
Dont watch this
Dont watch this
Eschewing overwrought nationalistic propaganda in favor of non-stop, balls-to-the-wall action, Wolf Warrior 2 is a superior sequel that hits the ground running from the start and never lets up. From the opening Captain Phillips-inspired pirate underwater takedown, a convenience store fight, a jeep-chase through a shanty town to a factory gunfight at night and another at daytime, there's enough action here to fuel three Michael Bay films. The Russo Brothers (directors of Captain America sequels) apparently consulted on the action, hence its high production values. Other positives include Celina Jade as the female lead and Frank Grillo as the villain, a racially diverse cast respectful of its premise set in Africa as well as moments of levity and broad comedy that should appeal to a wide audience.
The film's biggest draw, of course, is Chinese action-superstar Wu Jing. As a leading man, Wu Jing is kind of a perfect package. He has the pretty-boy looks to draw the female crowd but also a natural, convincing tough-guy persona. As a trained martial artist he has the physicality of Donnie Yen and the on screen charisma of Jet Li. Most importantly, Jing plays the kind of action hero that's just all too rare these days, the one that takes just as much punishment as he dishes it. Yet he sells it with the kind of world-class commitment that is simply awe-inspiring, like Jackie Chan or Tom Cruise who repeatedly endanger themselves simply to entertain their audience. It's all rather impressive until you realize he also directed the movie.
Still, there are minor flaws. Like every other Chinese films of late, flashbacks and dramatic scenes are rendered like bad 90's soap dramas – cut to slow-motion with colored filter, bad sound FX and obvious sad music cues so laughably bad its beyond parody. Noticeable green screen work occur here and there, as well as some obvious bad CGI during explosions. However these are minor occurrences that shouldn't detract from the overall experience.
Modern action films have become too sophisticated for its own good. Plots are overly convoluted with unnecessarily complicated character backstories, bloated runtimes, headache-inducing shaky cam action chopped up into indecipherable bits, lead actresses have to be badass fighters to be a strong female and villains having overly complex motivations to be evil. Wolf Warrior 2 is a reminder of simpler times, where it's perfectly OK to have a straightforward story backed-up by identifiable character archetypes, damsel-in-distresses who gets saved by the male hero without being considered weak and inferior to them and cartoonish, two-dimensional villains who just enjoy being evil. Like, its OK if the male protagonist becomes a lone, one-man killing machine who takes out an entire army. It's not realistic but who cares? As long as it's fun. In a summer where we've had a loud, incomprehensible Dunkirk, a War of the Planet of the Apes without enough war and an insufferable Spiderman: Homecoming filled with obnoxious Marvel fanboy worship, consider Wolf Warrior 2 a fresh alternative - a perfectly satisfying old-school action film that won't tax on brainpower but won't disrespect your intelligence either.
The film's biggest draw, of course, is Chinese action-superstar Wu Jing. As a leading man, Wu Jing is kind of a perfect package. He has the pretty-boy looks to draw the female crowd but also a natural, convincing tough-guy persona. As a trained martial artist he has the physicality of Donnie Yen and the on screen charisma of Jet Li. Most importantly, Jing plays the kind of action hero that's just all too rare these days, the one that takes just as much punishment as he dishes it. Yet he sells it with the kind of world-class commitment that is simply awe-inspiring, like Jackie Chan or Tom Cruise who repeatedly endanger themselves simply to entertain their audience. It's all rather impressive until you realize he also directed the movie.
Still, there are minor flaws. Like every other Chinese films of late, flashbacks and dramatic scenes are rendered like bad 90's soap dramas – cut to slow-motion with colored filter, bad sound FX and obvious sad music cues so laughably bad its beyond parody. Noticeable green screen work occur here and there, as well as some obvious bad CGI during explosions. However these are minor occurrences that shouldn't detract from the overall experience.
Modern action films have become too sophisticated for its own good. Plots are overly convoluted with unnecessarily complicated character backstories, bloated runtimes, headache-inducing shaky cam action chopped up into indecipherable bits, lead actresses have to be badass fighters to be a strong female and villains having overly complex motivations to be evil. Wolf Warrior 2 is a reminder of simpler times, where it's perfectly OK to have a straightforward story backed-up by identifiable character archetypes, damsel-in-distresses who gets saved by the male hero without being considered weak and inferior to them and cartoonish, two-dimensional villains who just enjoy being evil. Like, its OK if the male protagonist becomes a lone, one-man killing machine who takes out an entire army. It's not realistic but who cares? As long as it's fun. In a summer where we've had a loud, incomprehensible Dunkirk, a War of the Planet of the Apes without enough war and an insufferable Spiderman: Homecoming filled with obnoxious Marvel fanboy worship, consider Wolf Warrior 2 a fresh alternative - a perfectly satisfying old-school action film that won't tax on brainpower but won't disrespect your intelligence either.
- kamenhaven
- Jul 30, 2017
- Permalink
Stories is still one of those mindless one man action flicks, but the sidekicks this time around are more entertaining, almost managing to upgrade this to a three man army. Other improvements include way better shots of action scenes (some of them really made me go 'wow!' for a moment), and no more horribly bad CGI wolves.
Where they can still do better: dramatic flashbacks. Rather than serving to strengthen the emotional side of the plot, it undercuts the build up of tension in various scenes. Timing of those scenes was just not good.
Good for a lazy Friday night; quite a bit better than its predecessor!
Where they can still do better: dramatic flashbacks. Rather than serving to strengthen the emotional side of the plot, it undercuts the build up of tension in various scenes. Timing of those scenes was just not good.
Good for a lazy Friday night; quite a bit better than its predecessor!
- sonnygoten
- Feb 24, 2018
- Permalink
Allryt fella its not bad like old reviews u see
its good movie with geat action but direction was bad
i mean u knw its all about direction
I had heard that this movie had rave reviews. It's one of the saddest and most brutal portrayals of Africans and Africa I've ever seen.
What a mess; between the poor writing and the poor acting, it seemed like the longest 2 hours of my life. There appears to be no plot; other than people are continuously getting killed in vivid technicolor. The good guy's kill the bad guys; then, the bad guys kill the good guys; and then, the bad guys kill the bad guys.
The propaganda angle in this movie is pretty blatant; with statements like "they're at the Chinese funded hospital" instead of "they're at the hospital". The original script for this movie must have been "enhanced" by CCP hardliners within the Chinese government before they decided to shoot the movie.
As for the abundant 10/10's I'm seeing on this site ... I'll assume that they're employees of the production company, CCP hardliners or friends of the actors.
What a mess; between the poor writing and the poor acting, it seemed like the longest 2 hours of my life. There appears to be no plot; other than people are continuously getting killed in vivid technicolor. The good guy's kill the bad guys; then, the bad guys kill the good guys; and then, the bad guys kill the bad guys.
The propaganda angle in this movie is pretty blatant; with statements like "they're at the Chinese funded hospital" instead of "they're at the hospital". The original script for this movie must have been "enhanced" by CCP hardliners within the Chinese government before they decided to shoot the movie.
As for the abundant 10/10's I'm seeing on this site ... I'll assume that they're employees of the production company, CCP hardliners or friends of the actors.
- ottawa_scuba_monkey
- Mar 18, 2018
- Permalink
- hengqingzhu
- Apr 7, 2018
- Permalink
As a Chinese, I think it isn't a good movie, not a normal movie.
I love Chinese movies, most of them are not recognized by people, but this one
is just a government propaganda.
I found there are many reviewers gave 10 score here, they registered their account when the movie released, and it is their unique movie reviewed.
We Chinese are not weak, we don't need this method to approve our strong.
- onlyanswer-33724
- Feb 20, 2018
- Permalink
Chinese Rambo is back and its still wall to wall action, Peoples Republic style!
Yes there's a pro Chinese government pitch in this flick with lots of rather corny "good living" style moralising, flag waving and old fashioned, cheesy patriotism. But, to be fair, show me a film of this kind from any country you care to name that's any different?
Casting these minor considerations aside on the upside the acting is good, the story enjoyable and the action scenes, top notch. China and Hong Kong have long understood martial arts/action films and Wolf Warrior II follows in that tradition.
What I especially like about this title is it mixes in some really innovative fight scenes I would not have even thought of. Its clever stuff that gets and keeps your attention.
All in all a decent military orientated action flick that's well paced, pure enjoyment. Seven out of ten from me.
Yes there's a pro Chinese government pitch in this flick with lots of rather corny "good living" style moralising, flag waving and old fashioned, cheesy patriotism. But, to be fair, show me a film of this kind from any country you care to name that's any different?
Casting these minor considerations aside on the upside the acting is good, the story enjoyable and the action scenes, top notch. China and Hong Kong have long understood martial arts/action films and Wolf Warrior II follows in that tradition.
What I especially like about this title is it mixes in some really innovative fight scenes I would not have even thought of. Its clever stuff that gets and keeps your attention.
All in all a decent military orientated action flick that's well paced, pure enjoyment. Seven out of ten from me.
Awesome action, Propagandist pinch
Having been in anticipation of Wolf Warrior 2 since February, Wu Jing's work doesn't disappoint. Generous with the servings of choreographed close combat action, big guns (tanks) and firepower, Wolf Warrior 2 does impress!
However, that's when it got me thinking. Does it always have to be that loud to be eye-catching? The larger than life action while appreciated, deserves questioning for its hyper-realism.
Propagandist tinges, like the first, were clearly evident. There were scenes which were clear to me that was dedicated at stirring nationalistic sentiments, invoking pride, dignity and a sense of empowerment among Chinese nationals. Amidst the wide Chinese diaspora and prominence as a superpower, Wu Jing is not ashamed to chide America as a power of the past through this film.
Overall, Wu Jing certainly make this sequel louder and larger than the first. "Once a wolf warrior, always a wolf warrior." Nationalism, the centrality of China and her military/economic/political prowess were featured prominently. Firmly announcing "Watch out for China," Wolf Warrior does pinches at time, in propagandist tones.
Think less, enjoy the action :)
Pro-tip: Stay till after the end of the film. Bonus footage and trailer await.
Having been in anticipation of Wolf Warrior 2 since February, Wu Jing's work doesn't disappoint. Generous with the servings of choreographed close combat action, big guns (tanks) and firepower, Wolf Warrior 2 does impress!
However, that's when it got me thinking. Does it always have to be that loud to be eye-catching? The larger than life action while appreciated, deserves questioning for its hyper-realism.
Propagandist tinges, like the first, were clearly evident. There were scenes which were clear to me that was dedicated at stirring nationalistic sentiments, invoking pride, dignity and a sense of empowerment among Chinese nationals. Amidst the wide Chinese diaspora and prominence as a superpower, Wu Jing is not ashamed to chide America as a power of the past through this film.
Overall, Wu Jing certainly make this sequel louder and larger than the first. "Once a wolf warrior, always a wolf warrior." Nationalism, the centrality of China and her military/economic/political prowess were featured prominently. Firmly announcing "Watch out for China," Wolf Warrior does pinches at time, in propagandist tones.
Think less, enjoy the action :)
Pro-tip: Stay till after the end of the film. Bonus footage and trailer await.
- khooyifeng
- Jul 30, 2017
- Permalink
- sanjithsanthosh-125-510314
- May 22, 2018
- Permalink
- vinsonwangzy
- Aug 1, 2018
- Permalink
Went to watch the movie yesterday as I heard it was a big hit in China. I am not the biggest fan of Chinese movies, but this one really impressed me. I have watched Wolf Warrior which I would consider as a good movie, but II is way much better. It is the first Chinese movie that is built on the context of African country and actually shot in South Africa, bearing the risk of suffering the disturbance on the set. The way the plot unfolds and the courage and patriotism is delivered to its audience makes it more than a simple action movie. Love this movie and will go for it a second time.
- melodygloriez
- Jul 30, 2017
- Permalink
To be quite honest, I thought this was a good movie, better than what people are saying. I am not usually one for foreign films, but this was very entertaining! All of the actors look like they are having fun; American audiences will particularly recognize Frank Grillo from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil war. I do wish however that more focus was placed on story and characters rather than action; while the action is entertaining, it does overshadow the story quite a bit. But I digress: this is a fun movie and anybody hoping for Oscar calibre needs to check their brain at the door.
- byrann_gowan
- Aug 21, 2018
- Permalink
- qaws-74974
- Aug 13, 2017
- Permalink
Heard a lot about this movie, good and bad reviews. Saw it myself this time, a lot of energy and heroism. The last fight ended a little quick if you consider the anger had been building up from the beginning, -the mystery bullet.