Wolf Warrior 2

First,to be clear,I am a Chinese. I love my country of course, but I also love movies. That's why I think this movie is so bad at telling a story. I think this might be the terrible director's fault. I want my country to be strong, I also want my people to be respected by others. But not this way. Not a personal heroic mindless patriotic violent way. This kind of movie misled my people, they became super impulsive in some international issues because this kind of movies keeping showing off in China. There's a old saying that says, modesty makes one progress, but pride makes one lag behind. I hope that one day Chinese can also gain the world's respect by civilization or culture, not the self confidence gained by advanced weapons.

Leng Feng leads the Wolf Warrior Squadron against pirates. He accompanies his comrade's ashes to his home only to find his family being bullied by the corrupt land owner. He fights the land owner and gets thrown into prison. He loses his military position. Three years later, he works the docks of Africa while searching for his beloved's killers. He is befriended by the locals. When revolution explodes, he faces international mercenaries and rescues civilians from danger.

There is plenty of action and some of it is actually fun. The lead actor Wu Jing is stoic with some charisma. He's Jackie Chan without the comedy. The biggest problem is the bloated nature of the plot. It could have been simplified. There's no need for that outbreak plot. It's trying to do too much. I was surprised by the corrupt land developer plot at the start. The sideswipe against the Americans are expected. There are many patriotic touches that are expected. In the end, it's the bloated overlong plot that keeps it from being a hit for the foreign market.

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.

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.

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.