Johnny To's action/fantasy classic The Heroic Trio wasn't exactly helped by its convoluted plot and cloying over-sentimentality, but was made watchable thanks to its many bonkers action sequences; the sequel, Executioners, shares the first film's weaknesses, but lacks its exuberance and wackiness, making for a much less enjoyable experience overall.
The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future where evil genius Mr. Kim (Anthony Wong) controls the city's only supply of uncontaminated water. Together with the help of a corrupt general, power hungry Kim leads a coup d'etat against the President, but his plans for total domination of the city are thwarted by The Heroic Trio (Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh and Anita Mui), who come out of retirement to battle the would-be despot.
With much of Executioners' running time dedicated to establishing its politically unstable environment and detailing Kim's scheme to seize power, the film doesn't leave much time for action, meaning that those who enjoyed the first film purely for its energetic lunacy will find themselves less than satisfied with this effort; even when the action does eventually kick off in the final act, it doesn't come anywhere near to the sheer craziness of The Heroic Trio.
The film's leading ladies are still worth watching, of course, with Cheung looking particularly sexy in her fishnet stocking and suspenders, but even with the appeal of three high-kicking Hong Kong hotties, Executioners isn't anywhere near as good as its predecessor.
The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future where evil genius Mr. Kim (Anthony Wong) controls the city's only supply of uncontaminated water. Together with the help of a corrupt general, power hungry Kim leads a coup d'etat against the President, but his plans for total domination of the city are thwarted by The Heroic Trio (Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh and Anita Mui), who come out of retirement to battle the would-be despot.
With much of Executioners' running time dedicated to establishing its politically unstable environment and detailing Kim's scheme to seize power, the film doesn't leave much time for action, meaning that those who enjoyed the first film purely for its energetic lunacy will find themselves less than satisfied with this effort; even when the action does eventually kick off in the final act, it doesn't come anywhere near to the sheer craziness of The Heroic Trio.
The film's leading ladies are still worth watching, of course, with Cheung looking particularly sexy in her fishnet stocking and suspenders, but even with the appeal of three high-kicking Hong Kong hotties, Executioners isn't anywhere near as good as its predecessor.