Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? OK.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 120 minutes (2 hours)
“SPL2: A Time for Consequences” is a Hong Kong cop drama that is a sequel to 2005’s “SPL,” although it features a different set of characters. It revolves around a pair of police officers’ efforts to stop human organ smuggling syndicate. It stars Tony Jaa (Chatchai), Wu Jing (Chan Chi-kit), Simon Yam (Chan Kwok-wah), Zhang Jin (Ko Chun), and Louis Koo (Mr Hung). It is rated NC-16.
“SPL2” is quite a slick cop movie that looks great visually, and has quite a sprawling storyline that spans two countries. Despite each country having its own unique visual style, it does get a bit confusing to keep track of everything that’s happening, and the constant segues into the backgrounds of different protagonists makes it difficult to follow at first. Still, it’s a decent police flick that should satisfy cop drama fans.
Highlights
Gritty, gory action
The action is shot in a distinct visual style that makes it gritty and more realistic, as befits the violent and rough nature of the world that “SPL2” takes place in. The injuries sustained aren’t the clean concussions that you normally see, but bloody wounds that leave painful scars. The fight choreography is entertaining to watch though, with expansive and exciting set pieces and fluid battles.
Distinct and memorable locations
The movie takes place in both Hong Kong and Thailand, and goes to great detail to set each country apart through the sets and props, creating a distinct feel for either locale. Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan but corrupted atmosphere contrasts well Thailand’s more hopeful and but helpless veneer, and this also serves to differentiate the mood of the conflicts in either setting.
Evocative stylisation
The film is shot in an exciting visual style. Combined with the stirring operatic score and the detailed locations, it creates a unique stylisation that leaves the film with a fine flourish.
Letdowns
Poor digital effects
Unfortunately, the special effects and animated objects are not as stellar as the rest of the film. It’s a small quibble, as the digital effects do contribute to the stylisation of the film. However, their poor implementation does break you out of your immersion into the story.
Names are rarely mentioned
Oddly, names aren’t used very much in this film, with the exception of the protagonist’s daughter, Sa. It’s strange because you lack a reference from which you can identify the characters, and it’s confusing at the start of the film, when you only see brief snatches of the characters and need a better way to tell them apart. It’s not critical to the telling of the story, but it does help in providing more clarity.
Confusing storytelling
The first Act is a mess. It’s a collection of different scenes that don’t have any narrative structure whatsoever. Although in hindsight it’s clear that the purpose was to give us the backstory of the characters and help us forge an emotional link with them, it’s a clunky way to do it.
“SPL2: A Time for Consequences” is good police action and drama, and worth watching, if only to see Tony Jaa and Wu Jing team up to take down bad guys.
“SPL2: A Time for Consequences” opens in cinemas 2 July, 2015 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo.
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