Swordsman II ***1/2 (out of 5) (1991)

Cast: Jet Li, Brigitte Lin, Michelle Reis, Waise Lee, Rosamund Kwan

Directed by Siu-Tung Ching


When two warring factions in Ancient Japan, the mainlanders and the highlanders, go to war, Ling and his school of martial artists head to the mountains. While there, he visits his beloved Ying and her band of female snake-warriors who have just been attacked by ninjas and abducted. The ninjas are under the control of the evil Fong, head of the Highlanders, who has overthrown Wu, leader of the Sun Moon Sect. Fong is a man who castrated himself under the direction of the Sacred Scroll to gain fighting knowledge and is slowly becoming a woman. When Ling takes a fancy to Fong in his woman state, things get a bit dicy, as he is trying to save Wu from Fong's clutches.

An oten exciting action/fantasy, with some of the best fight pieces seen in Hong Kong cinema. Sporting a likeable cast, with dashes of humor and action (and oddly touching), this is Hong Kong fantasy at it's finest. Li and Lin thrill as always, and the action builds to feverish intensity in the impressive finale of Earth-shattering proportions. Taut direction and great color schemes and cinematography give the film a stylish look that complement the goings on nicely. Political intrigue, romance, humor, action, and emotion...it's fun.


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