The sequel to the first Legend movie, Fong Sai Yuk is back, played by Jet Li in a another 90’s Kung Fu Comedy/action movie.
Fong Sai Yuk and his wife Ting Ting are now a part of the Red Flower Society that is headed by Sai Yuk’s god father Chan Ka lok.
When a mission to retrieve a box which contains the secrets of Cha Ka lok’s background is planned, Sai Yuk is chosen to carry it out. A box which will reveal that Chan Ka lok is actually related to the emperor, and is a successor to the throne.
During this mission Sai Yuk is forced to marry a woman (alongside his current wife) so that he can get his hands on the box. From there there’s a mixture of Kung fu fights and comedic circumstances very reminiscent of other Jet Li films of the early 90’s.
Being Married to Two Women
This seems to be a big part of the movie! Sai Yuk is put in the difficult position of being married to a second woman in order to complete his mission. So there is a lot of arguing between him and his two wives when they all meet. His mother, a well accomplished fighter also joins in to help but in classic comedic nature, makes things worse!
There is one scene where Sai Yuk’s real wife jumps off a platform to kill herself and Sai Yuk rescues her, so naturally his second wife, Suen On-yee jumps to get his attention also. After consecutively catching both women, his mother randomly jumps off yelling “son get ready to catch an old woman!” before just falling down landing face first on the ground. It was a funny moment but illustrates the type of comedy you can expect form this film – a little over the top for my personal enjoyment (for a kung fu flick).
Of course things continue to back and forth throughout the film and eventually Sai Yuk ends up finishing off the movie with both women following him.
The Conflict
While Sai Yuk is an accomplished fighter, he suspects a local man of conspiring to kill the head of the Red Flower Society. The man’s son comes forward and drops a pretty hefty clue that he’s a sinister guy who needs locking up. Naturally he starts beating up his small son who would be all of 5 years old and nothing is said until Sai Yuk steps in and starts beating him. In ridiculous fashion he is told to stop and receives punishment for stepping in, meanwhile Yu Chun hoi (the man beating his son) is let off like nothing happened – despite violently beating a small child and trying to kill the head of the Red Flower Society. It was kind of annoying to see in a movie as it’s stupidly unrealistic.
Either the movie or the society is warped, for the sake of enjoyment of the film I blamed the society leader…
Later in the film Yu Chun hoi ends up becoming the head of the Red Flower Society, and of course he and Sai Yuk fight it off to a climactic end, with lots of spinning and crazy wire fu!
The Action and Martial Arts
It’s a mixture of good and bad – there’s some really outrageous Wire Fu mixed with a few good fight scenes with Jet doing his awesome stuff. Much like Once Upon a Time in China, the end battle seems to revolve around use of the environment as a showcase of precise skill.
Sai Yuk spends most of the final fight trying to keep a base of wooden benches stable to support his mother and prevent her from being hanged, whilst Yu Chun is constantly trying to knock them down. Of course the benches spin around and land in seemingly magical positions that are just far too choreographed to believe – and kind of spoil it all a bit.
There is one cool fight scene however where Jet li blind folds himself and fights off a series of men with several swords. This scene was visually exciting and well done – it gives the movie a little credibility in my opinion.
Would I recommend it?
I didn’t really like it. There’s nothing really bad about this film, it’s just the type of film that doesn’t mix with my taste. If you enjoyed Tai Chi Master or other movies that are similar, then this may be for you. But unfortunately it wasn’t for me.
