I’ve seen Michelle Yeoh billed as the female Jackie Chan, a comparison that I find dubious at best. Maybe it’s because she performs her own stunts and she does martial arts movies. But that’s about as far as the comparison goes. Although she was great in Supercop as Jackie’s by-the-books partner, and gave James Bond a run for his money in Tomorrow Never Dies, she really lacks the screen presence to support an entire film on her own. As a result, Supercop 2 is a muddled, fairly uninvolving mess of a movie, especially compared to Supercop, which is one of Jackie Chan’s best “modern” films.
I read a comment about Supercop 2 that mentioned it’s main mistake is that it tries to be too deep and dramatic, and I have to agree. Yeoh plays the same character she played in Supercop, a Chinese police officer named Yang. After rescuing a bureaucrat from some hostages, she is sent to Hong Kong to help bust a criminal smuggling ring. However, it turns out that the smuggling ring is run by David, played by Yu Rongguang (Iron Monkey, My Father Is a Hero), Yang’s former lover.
Of course, you already know where this is heading. David tries to keep Yang unaware of his criminal dealings, but it gets harder and harder as the movie progresses, especially as the cops begin to crack down on his organization. During a high-tech bank heist, Yang learns the truth and tries to stop David. I suppose the people involved in this film thought that this might add an element of suspense and conflict, but there’s never any real conflict between the two. But if you’re watching a kung-fu film for suspense, emotional turmoil, and doomed romance, than you’re watching the wrong kind of movie.
Even as a kung fu film, Supercop 2 is lacking, though. The opening fight sequence is entertaining, and Yang’s battle with a guy twice her size is pretty amazing to watch; it’s evident that Yeoh’s definitely got some serious skills. But you have to wade through a lot of silly emotional crap, not to mention some seriously botched police drama with Yang’s clueless Hong Kong partners.
Another mistake the film makes is that Yu Rongguang barely struts his stuff. I loved him in Iron Monkey, and his performance in My Father Is a Hero was enjoyable, though definitely hammed up. However, in Supercop 2, he’s barely used, which is a shame. An all-out kung fu lover’s quarrel between him and Yeoh might have made the movie watchable, but instead, we watch the two of them reminisce and pine away. And like I said, if you’re watching a kung fu movie for that, you’re watching the wrong kind of movie.
And one other thing… Jackie Chan makes a cameo in drag. It has only a passing relevance to do with the storyline, but it’s very hilarious and happens to be the only part of the film that sticks out in my mind. That right there should tell you something about Supercop 2.
