Running Out of Time 2

RUNNING OUT OF TIME 2 is essentially a remake of the original, only this time Ekin Cheng steps into the role left by Andy Lau (whose character, supposedly, died at the end of the first). As Lau did, Cheng manuevers the same clever cop into his game. Also getting involved is Kelly Lin as a straight laced businesswoman whose important merger is threatened by the thief's games.

Not as good as the original, as expected, but still clever. Although the whole cleverness does seem awfully familiar this time around.

6 out of 10

(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie or full-length reviews of other foreign films)

This movie is about a cop (Ching Wan Lau) trying to catch a super-clever thief (Ekin Cheng) who blackmails an insurance company headed by a Kelly Lin. Basically, whatever plans the cop tries the thief somehow knows them beforehand. This movie, covered by handsome lead actors, beautiful lead actress and good camera shots of Hong Kong scenes, really has no substance at all. It's all flash, and the flash quickly becomes dull too. I lost all interests a third of the way into the movie, and there is no redeeming quality after that, except for the cinematography, which looks good. Only consider seeing this movie if you can do so for free. Also, consider stopping watching the movie 20 minutes into the movie because it's all the same to the end: BORING. 6/10

Quite a bit different from the style of the original. Not quite as good, but highly watchable. I found the highjinks of the bad guy who's a magician very entertaining. I couldn't help but laugh at the continuing coin flip bit that runs through the movie. One of the most unique chase scenes I've seen in a long time...They start off chasing a bald eagle that leads them to the bad guy...then the chase is on. They run full speed on foot from day into night...then a wild bicycle chase and crash...until finally they give up to continue another day out of sheer exhaustion. Though it's not quite good, it did keep my interest throughout.

**1/2 (Out of 4)

I watched the first "Running Out of Time" years ago, but I can't say that I really remember it. But now having sat down to watch the sequel - which I happened to find by sheer luck in my search for Asian movies on Amazon - then I think I will sit down to watch part 1 again soon. Why? Well, because part two was quite enjoyable.

It was a nice change of pace for a Hong Kong movie, to have a police movie that didn't include over-the-top action sequences or shoot-out scenes. "Running Out of Time 2" is cleverly put together with great acting and good dialogue. Plus the storyline was compelling and always managed to keep me interested in seeing what was lurking around the next corner.

The story in "Running Out of Time 2" is about a thief who has stolen some valuable items from an insurance company and is demanding a rather high ransom for the return of these items. The thief (played by Ekin Cheng) seems to always be one step ahead of the police department. The clever detective Ho Sheung Sang (played by Ching Wan Lau) is put on the case and has more than his hands full trying to catch up with the brilliant and slippery thief.

"Running Out of Time 2" is a cat-and-mouse story, that is clever and well thought through. Great entertainment and loads of good scenes throughout the movie. Normally I am not much fan of Ekin Cheng's work in movies, but I will say that he actually did a rather good job in this movie.

If you enjoy Asian cinema and Hong Kong cinema in particular, then you owe it to yourself to sit down and watch "Running Out of Time 2" - it is a police movie unlike many others. Well worth the time and effort to sit down and watch.

No pun intended - and while this seems to play in the same world or realm or whatever you want to call it .. it does change or tweak things a little bit. One actor for example plays a very different character ... has a bigger role. Others are referenced by different names too ... but we get our main guy from the first movie back. And I do assume you have seen the other one, so you won't be too surprised that Andy Lau is not back for more.

We get a new ... well "magician". And while things in the first one seemed convenient ... they are even more so in the sequel. Especially the coin toss thing ... which is a big part of the movie ... and may have a twist you do not expect.

All in all not as good, but almost equally as out there as the first one ... crazy you say? Yes but really meant to be. It's by Johnnie To ... and he can almost do no wrong ... for me at least.