The Storm Warriors

I'm not Chinese. I'm not a Wind and Cloud comic fan-boy. Perhaps these are the reasons that I can offer an objective opinion of this film?

The first Storm Warriors (released as The Storm Riders) excited visually, taking wuxia film to an all-new level of excellence; however, it suffered from a weak, rushed plot, with references being made to characters and events non-followers just found bemusing, proving that there really is no right way to please everybody.

This sequel suffered from the same flaws, only it wasn't so much as the plot being rushed this time around as it was the characters. The problem here is that for those who aren't already fans, nothing is known - and precious little revealed - about each individual, so when it comes time that we SHOULD be caring, it's not possible. But thankfully, the Pang Brothers' beautiful direction makes it something of an over-sight. I'll come back to this in a moment.

The pacing is good for an action film, with no time wasted in getting down to the root of the story, which is basically an average episode of Dragonball Z anyway. True, action/kung fu freaks would likely pine for some more traditional choreography, but the Pang Brothers lift this film out of the chop-socky genre and into that of fine art, defeating art-house kung fu classics, The Blade, and Ashes of Time on style points by unanimous decision.

Watching the film, it's interesting to know just how big a fan of the comic the Brothers are, for each shot is so lovingly captured, at points it almost looks like paintings in motion, and with their panel-by-panel method of storytelling, comics - if well done - could almost be deemed as such. And where CGI and after-effects are indeed the sine qua non for getting their vision of the tale across on-screen, where I may have argued in the past that such techniques "kill the art of film-making", here, they AMPLIFY it, breathing enchantment into every scene, every shot, every second, leaving something of wonder to the memory come the final credits.

I could now go on about all of the awesome techniques the fighters use, and how the cinematography fully captures them - and indeed, they're well worthy of a mentioning - but instead I'll simply point out the obvious issues to address before one decides to give this a view:

• if you're uninterested by "style over substance", you won't enjoy this film

• if you want an involving story, this film is not for you

• if you want Fist of Legend-style kick arse kung fu, watch something else

• if, however, you want to give this film a real chance, you may just come away a little bit richer for having done so... I know I did.

I'm "storm Ridders" comic fans ever since the 1 episode, and i'm very disappointed how Directors Pang brothers has turn this "storm rider" into a completely rubbish !! This movie should be made into a 2 minutes effect show-reel instead of a full feature film !! The worst Chinese movie i ever watched for past 10 years !! Completely no story, poor in every aspect of film-making, especially the directing, acting and story !! Very boring, the movie should end right after the opening title, where after master "no name" launched his "million sword". Watsing my time and money !!

"Storm rider 1" was far more better than this empty soul "storm rider 2". For non-comic fans, the whole story making no sense, and for comics fans, it was completely a disaster !! The Pang brothers has raped all the comic fans, and all comic the characters !!

If there is "Storm Rider 3", please change the directors first !! The Pang brothers don't even know how to tell a simple story !!

Such a long wait since the first one. Storm Rider 1 was really good by the way - better story line, better flow, better pace, better romance, better music, more varied scenes(inside castle, forest where two groups of people meet, dragon cave, village, etc), much more character development (ie every characters seem to have decent screen time), adequate CGI - given that was some 11 yrs ago, and better acting - Yes, better acting! ie. Sonny Chiba was unparalleled as Lord Conquer. Even Wind and Cloud had deeper emotions, more expressive then, really.

I would prefer the first one if not for the redeeming factors of Storm Riders 2 - more boastful, refined CGIs, much impressive and intense fighting choreograph which I enjoyed immensely. one battle too long, one ended prematurely if only it balances up a bit.

Some scenes unnecessary, some over dramatized to a point of dragging which make you just wanna scream "just get on with it!". I suppose the script just could have been much better and more varied scenes than just those few bleak boring ones which at times, looked a bit fake. The ladies also don't have much scene impact, a little shallow.

Overall, I don't mind watching it again purely for its fighting CGIs which was sheer indulgence. Everything else, I rather re-watch Storm Riders 1.

The long-awaited sequel to Storm Riders is finally here. The Pang Brothers take the directing chair and turn the sequel into an action-packed filled with CGI effects. The CGI is touted as the best CGI in Chinese movies but it cannot be compared with big budget Hollywood movies. The special effects are incredible as not seen in Chinese movies.

The story: The action starts straight from the first scene. It shows Cloud and Wind not being able to defeat the powerful warlord and flee the scene. They then are trained in different ways. Cloud is taught by Nameless and Wind takes the evil way. With its fast pace, it brings you from one action scene to another without much drag. The special effects increasingly get better and by the time it comes to the last battle, the special effects are at best. With its epic score, it manages to suck me into the fantasy world. Yes, there is a downside since this is a non-stop action movie, its story is kept simple and there are even not much characters' developments.

Overall: If you are willing to watch a heavy CGI movie with no story and just be awed at the action scenes combined with CGI, you would probably enjoy this movie. If you are concerned about characters' developments, it is not for you. This movie is only for the fans or someone who wants to watch non-stop action filled with CGI with no story. There should be a part three and hopefully, every thing is in it with be amazing even its story.

Hi people Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to all. I wrote another comment in the discussion user board it has some spoilers so if you want to read it go ahead. First to discuss is I did not watch pang brothers movie even If I did I would not know and I did not watch part one of Fung wan. But I did hear lots of good comments for the first movie.

Overall I did not enjoy the movie it just sucked the enjoyment of movie right out of me within 30 minutes. Even if you treat me to watch this movie again I would not watch it I would rather watch Good Burger again.

The movie has no dialog 1/3 of the time, I did not understand what is going on and really most of the movie did not make sense. Maybe their target audience was comic fans but even my friend who watched part one and read the comics said it was bad. If I could take back the time I watched the movie I would. I would not want to talk too much because I really commented a lot on the discussion board and my eyes are starting to hurt.

The only good point about this movie is the effects are cool and the music is nice but there is just too much music. It was everywhere. If I can convince you not to watch it I did the world a favor.

I rather they give the money they use to make this movie to a 3rd world county that needed the money for basic food and water.

I rate this movie 0/5 really I give this film nothing.

If you (the movie) did not even have normal dialog in this movie to make me, a common audience understand what is going on. All the special effects in the world cannot save you (the movie). Really I think I would count the number of lines each person said. And the movie really really makes no sense half the time.

Even for a bad film like good burger I would give it half a point for having Abe Vigoda in the movie. Oh if you do not know who he is he was in Godfather.

I just put my point of view and what I think. If you still want to watch this movie go ahead. It has cool effects and good music. But storyline don't count on it. But I would rather wait for the DVD to be out buy it together with my friends and pass it around to watch. Just one DVD.

Just like Forbidden kingdom and dragon ball, wasted money.. all of them the money could have fed hundreds of starving children.