★★★★☆
After a massive sweeping of awards at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards, 2012’s Cold War ticked the boxes of several major artistic and technical excellences. It clearly proved to be an all-rounded film and its sequel Cold War 2 reflects a similarly strong ambition to outperform its predecessor.
Led by co-directors and co-screenwriters Longman Leung and Sunny Luk, Cold War 2 continues from the cliffhanger that concluded the first film – another complex storyline of political strife in an attempt to manipulate Hong Kong’s political structure.
This power play by some high-level mastermind(s) involves multi-layered ploys to seize authority by appointing pre-deployed candidates through legislation. Such is the level of deceit that is needed in order to go undetected, which appears to be corroborated by countless senior representatives from the police, legislative council, business sectors and other institutions.
“I will not be allowed to be played as a pawn in their game.”
Says Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat who plays a senior legal council Oswald Kan when he smells something amiss. Chow makes one of the film’s most magnetic screen presences, one that is much required by his character of old-school principles navigating a convoluted society today.
Chow’s character makes one of the new major additions to the film, which are seen as necessary upgrades to reflect higher stakes in a grander scheme of things. Bright and passionate junior legal practitioner Au (Janice Man) is juxtaposed against crime terrorist and ex-police officer Joe Lee (Eddie Peng). Both are brought up by fatherly figures of great influence and stature in society, which provides food for thought towards these two examples of youth in society today.
The main protagonist of the first two films undergoes stress as Hong Kong Police Commissioner Sean Lau (Aaron Kwok) loses part of his logical cool (a signature personality trait seen in the first film) this time as his enemies go all out to torment and break him. Subjecting him to the same plight that ex-Deputy Police Commissioner MB Lee (Tony Leung) went through in the first film, Cold War 2 allows us to see if Lau will similarly abuse authority and violate protocols given the involvement of his wife and daughter’s safety.
Through Lau’s onscreen performance under stressful situations, the film has hinted at how legislation is but a tool wielded by human factors. As long as one upholds strong and firm beliefs in the right principles and values, extreme measures may be exercised with discretion to neutralise national threats.
However, the judicial system is introduced for the very purpose of providing a mechanism of check and balance in a civil society. One should be reminded that accountability comes before authority, as it is very easy to lose sight of the core mission and values (interesting, the Hong Kong Police Vision “We serve with pride and care” appeared a number of times in the film throughout the 119-minute running time).
There was also an interesting plot thread on how public tender projects for national police IT and communications system infrastructure could also be jeopardised. Not by cyber assault techniques but mere acquisition of and influence over the vendor.
Along with quality technical excellence in sound and visual effects, Cold War 2 is a proficient dramatisation of current-day politics with thrilling action. An elaborate shooting scene in an underground road tunnel provides much to enjoy.
It only falls short of referencing possible Chinese involvement as masterminds given the current “one country, two systems” political tension. It may be too much for an already sophisticated screenplay, but definitely a good premise for another sequel that is highly likely given the film’s suggestive ending.
Also published on InCinemas.sg
cineJay 