After a short flashback to part one, we see the return of Leslie Cheung as he arrives in another village, where he stops to dine on some unexpected human meat before getting thrown in jail in a case of mistaken identity.
Before his execution, his cellmate elder helps him escape, giving him a talisman before doing so, then once outside, Ling steals a horse (owned by Jacky Cheung) and rides off into the forest. He soon finds shelter in an old villa, with Jacky close behind him, and as they both settle for the night, soon find out that they are not alone!
Attacked by a gang of fake ghosts (the rebels) Ling soon meets their leader, Ching Fung, who is the double of Siu Sihn - obviously played by Joey Wong - who mistakes him as the elder from the cell due to the talisman. Ling, happy to see her again, goes along with it.
A Chinese Ghost Story 2 may take a different journey to its predecessor, but it sure does entertain just as much. Leslie Cheung has returned, this time with facial hair, and the addition of the wonderful Jacky Cheung - and even Michelle Reis - is a welcome sight, with Jacky playing a character much similar to that of Wu Ma in part one.
Lau Siu Ming, who played the Tree Devil in the first, returns also - but this time as an evil priestess and completely new character...
The main monster that haunts the villa is somewhat of a let down though. I'm sure during its release it was probably more impressive, but to me, it hasn't dated well and often looks too mechanical to take seriously enough! The overall feel of the movie seems quite different, with a faster pace and more action as opposed to part one's often visual slow motion, romantic horror. It feels more like a cousin of the fantastic Zu Warriors (also from Hark), with a more comedic script and bigger fantastical enemies such as the 9 foot tall monster, and an incredibly huge centipede...
But that's not to say its a bad thing!
Waise Lee has one of his best roles, I think, as the blade wielding fighter who pops up throughout. The wonderful Wu Ma returns for the last act, just in time to save the gang as they hit their limit battling evil. Joey Wong and Michelle Reis play sisters (and leaders of the rebel gang), which leads to some confusion in love as a triangle starts to form between themselves and Ling.
The action of course, seems to be the main focus here, and with Ching Siu Tung still behind the helm, you know you won't be disappointed. There is plenty of it - more than part one, and everyone seems to get in on it. While the film as a whole is not as captivating as the first, it still entertains for its whole running time and offers something a little different for the fans...
Overall: Hark and Ching crank things up a little, but it is still an incredibly exciting piece of Hong Kong cinema!
Before his execution, his cellmate elder helps him escape, giving him a talisman before doing so, then once outside, Ling steals a horse (owned by Jacky Cheung) and rides off into the forest. He soon finds shelter in an old villa, with Jacky close behind him, and as they both settle for the night, soon find out that they are not alone!
Attacked by a gang of fake ghosts (the rebels) Ling soon meets their leader, Ching Fung, who is the double of Siu Sihn - obviously played by Joey Wong - who mistakes him as the elder from the cell due to the talisman. Ling, happy to see her again, goes along with it.
A Chinese Ghost Story 2 may take a different journey to its predecessor, but it sure does entertain just as much. Leslie Cheung has returned, this time with facial hair, and the addition of the wonderful Jacky Cheung - and even Michelle Reis - is a welcome sight, with Jacky playing a character much similar to that of Wu Ma in part one.
Lau Siu Ming, who played the Tree Devil in the first, returns also - but this time as an evil priestess and completely new character...
The main monster that haunts the villa is somewhat of a let down though. I'm sure during its release it was probably more impressive, but to me, it hasn't dated well and often looks too mechanical to take seriously enough! The overall feel of the movie seems quite different, with a faster pace and more action as opposed to part one's often visual slow motion, romantic horror. It feels more like a cousin of the fantastic Zu Warriors (also from Hark), with a more comedic script and bigger fantastical enemies such as the 9 foot tall monster, and an incredibly huge centipede...
But that's not to say its a bad thing!
Waise Lee has one of his best roles, I think, as the blade wielding fighter who pops up throughout. The wonderful Wu Ma returns for the last act, just in time to save the gang as they hit their limit battling evil. Joey Wong and Michelle Reis play sisters (and leaders of the rebel gang), which leads to some confusion in love as a triangle starts to form between themselves and Ling.
The action of course, seems to be the main focus here, and with Ching Siu Tung still behind the helm, you know you won't be disappointed. There is plenty of it - more than part one, and everyone seems to get in on it. While the film as a whole is not as captivating as the first, it still entertains for its whole running time and offers something a little different for the fans...
Overall: Hark and Ching crank things up a little, but it is still an incredibly exciting piece of Hong Kong cinema!