The original was a big disappointment. And while this sequel is better it still fails to deliver what it should deliver. Which is good martial arts.
In many elements this sequel to The Man with the Iron Fists is an improvement. The story is more focused and kept simple. And therefore less pretentious. But like the original this sequel takes itself far too seriously. Which is quite audacious since RZA goes a little too far and puts himself into the role of the ultimate hero. He acts as a saviour and supposedly is a better skilled martial artist than for example Dustin Nguyen (known for 21 Jump Street TV Show but also stars in The Rebel and Once upon a Time in Vietnam) who actually is a martial artist. No matter how much heart RZA has put in this project it is a punch in the face of the viewer. Since mildly put RZA is not credible as an actor or martial artist. He can't act even if his life depended on it let alone to pretend to know Kungfu. I do admire his passion for martial arts films and his ambition making his own. That still does not make them good.
The action is enjoyable to a degree. But like in the original it is heavily edited, too gory and too stylish for it's own good. And again there is not nearly as much of it as I would have liked. I think there was more compared to the original but still they took far too much time to tell the story in an excruciatingly slow pace.
One big highlight that adds to enjoying this flick is the music. It's a wonderful mix of Ennio Morricone (his music is sampled) and hip hop. RZA did the same for the Afro Samurai BTW. Be sure to check that anime out.
Overall this is one that I won't be able to recommend however I do think it has some merit if you are a fan of the genre.
Also read:
Review of The Man with the Iron Fists
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