Wolf Warrior 2

The most financially successful action film of the last few years, the 870m is absolutely fascinating on a 30m budget and hats off to Jacky Wu who directed, wrote the script and starred, and is for me one of the biggest and most charismatic dudes on the action scene. The first part was a decent action B-movie in an attractive setting and Scott Adkins was the attraction, the second part has bigger ambitions and I'm super excited about it. It's a pumped up 90s testosterone action flick where they don't take their foot off the gas, with action following action, something I really missed (Korea has been making action movies lately in the style of let's put in two short fights and one chase, the rest will be a two hour drama, but China clearly doesn't give a shit). Plus, the film has an attractive theme of African revolutionaries supposedly allied with the Chinese, but Frank Grillo goes by his own rules and starts mercilessly executing everyone (Grillo pretty much played the best bad guy of the year and has one of the most powerful roles of his career). And then of course there's Jacky Wu, a retired soldier (Wolf Warrior) who is servin 3 years for murder, but decides to serve his country on his own and goes absolutely alone throughout the organization, and you can tell he directed it himself because action-wise there is absolutely everything that should be in any action movie. Jacky Wu is on a rampage with an M4, a knife, a crossbow and of course with his fists and it's a treat to see the guy in action. There are of course jeep and motorbike chases, one amazing underwater fight in the middle of the ocean (something I've never seen in my life and had to walk out and take a breathe), one big shootout in the city where there's no shortage of severed arms and legs (the R-rating is really tough). There's plenty of action and it's very varied. Grillo's cronies in the form of a steroid thug or a ruthless blonde are also great. I wasn't that impressed with the tank finale, but the anticipated final fight between Jacky and Grillo was solid (though nothing groundbreaking), but Grillo surprised with his stamina. The only downside for me is the sometimes weaker CGI during the explosions and there is some overkill (which pessimists, introverts will not get over and will shake their heads). I simply enjoyed it very much. The post-credits scene beckons for a third part, and given the earnings, I expect big things. 90% (10/30/2017)