Cantonese: Goo Waak Jai II Ji Maang Lung Gwoh Gong

Mandarin: Gu3 Huo4 Zi3 II Zhi1 Meng3 Long2 Guo4 Jiang1

Literally: Wise Guys II: Mighty Dragon Crosses River

Producer: Manfred Wong (Man Jun), Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Director: Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Screenwriter: Manfred Wong (Man Jun), Sheila Hui Sa-Long

Cast: Dior Cheng Yee-Kin, Jordan Chan Siu-Chun, Gigi Lai Chi, Chingmy Yau Suk-Ching, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Jerry Lamb Hiu-Fung, Lui Chun, Halina Tam Siu-Wan, Simon Yam Tat-Wah, Spencer Lam Seung-Yi, Michael Tse Tin-Wah, Jason Chu Wing-Tong, Moses Chan Ho, Blacky Ko Sau-Leung

Cameo Appearance: Lee Lik-Chi

Type: IIB

This is the second installment of the YOUNG AND DANGEROUS series, also made in 1996. Frankly speaking, I liked this better than the first movie. I like the premise of the Taiwan politician's background and its relationship to the underworld. The focus shifts to Jordan Chan’s character, Chicken, which is an excellent move. Another character to look out for is the colorful Tai Fei, played memorably by the talented Anthony Wong. Chingmy Yau is alrights as the villainess. The best scene though is still Anthony crying to Halina (who plays his sister, KK) about the life of a Wise Guy.

While I enjoyed the boisterousness of Y&D 1, I thought the "tough triad punks flexing their muscles" theme was fairly typical. Y&D 2 showed these same punks discovering that their world is far more complicated than they imagined. The importance of loyalty and choosing the right side are truly matters of life and death. Dior Cheng repeats his intense performance as the good bad boy. Gigi Lai is as charming as she was in the first movie, but has less to do.

One thing I can say though: What an change from the first installment of Young and Dangerous! That movie was a glib exercise in style: this one weds style with substance, humour, rich detail, caustic wit, and a sensational performance by Jordan Chan. He dominates the movie: in addition to a fascinating and charismatic physical presence, Chan has added an ability to deliver rich, nuanced and quirky line readings. It's a pleasure to witness the arrival of a new A-level movie star.

Y&D 2 has loads of attitude: it flaunts a black, savage mockery of Taiwanese politics – ambitious Taipei gangsters fill the Taiwan Legislature (I guess HK triads are relatively less corrupt, since they haven't infiltrated HK politics, just the film industry). Extrapolate to other territories as far as you dare. With the commercial success of Young and Dangerous 1, Manfred Wong and Andrew Lau apparently felt free to experiment; and they've come up with an entirely original, smart and entertaining movie. The class of 1996, so far.

After the victorious defeat of Ugly Kwan in Y&D2, Chan Ho Nam and friends decide to open a new bar, more glamorous this time. Funny is the scene where Chan tries out different outfits for the opening ceremony. At one time, he tries a black overcoat, with sunglasses and a toothpick between his teeth. Pou Pee remarks "Brother Chan’s Christian name… Mark!". Yep… a tribute to the one and only Mark Gor, played by the legendary Chow Yun Fat in "A Better Tomorrow".

At the ceremony, all the top Hung Hing members are present. Chan and friends are recognized again as Hung Hing members. Yee gets introduced by Smartie to KK, and love blossoms. Pou Pee recruits a new fellow named Banana Skin (Jason Chu), a spitting image of their friend Chou Pee who died in Macau In Y&D 1. Chicken and Chan spend some time together and Chan asks Chicken what took place in Taiwan when he disappeared for six months. And so Chicken’s story begins.

He arrived in Taiwan broke. He pawned the Rolex Chan gave to him for emergency use to get some cash. Then he goes off and buy a fake Rolex (I don’t know why). He hooks up with his cousin Blackie who takes him to a karaoke. A fight almost broke out when Chicken found out that the girl who was with him, Hyatt (as in Grand Hyatt Hotel) was assigned to Mr. Cheung. Blackie warned him off, saying that Cheung was a powerful triad leader cum politician in Taiwan.

Blackie then takes him to his workplace. It appears that he is working for another triad leader cum politician, Mr. Yiu of the San Luen society. Mr. Yiu immediately liked Chicken and takes him into the society.

Chicken is then introduced to Mr. Yiu’s mistress (Chingmy Yau). He develops a crush for her and she takes him out to a casino, where he advises her on winning techniques.

A fight breaks out in the Taiwan legislative assembly (as it usually does) and Mr. Yiu gets hurt. He vows to make anyone who kills Mr. Cheung a branch leader. Chicken takes up this challenge and kills Cheung before making a dramatic escape, with the help of Chingmy (I can’t remember her character’s name). Chingmy takes him back to her house and ladadi ladada.

So Chicken is made branch leader of the Poisonous Snake Hall. He returns to Hong Kong when he hears that his friend Chan needs help. And the rest is history.

Back to the present, the Hung Hing leaders have to decide who is to replace the late Uncle Bee as the leader of the Causeway Bay branch. Enters Tai Fei (Anthony Wong), who challenges Chan for the post. The ever wise Mr. Chiang (Simon Yam) splits Causeway Bay between the two candidates and tells them whoever makes more money between the two will get the post.

Tai Fei takes over a bar but finds it empty. Apparently all the good looking girls who work there have been recruited by KK to work at Chan’s bar. This pisses him off, of course.

Meanwhile, to Chicken’s surprise, Mr. Yiu pops up in Macau and asks him to set him up for a drink with Mr. Chiang. Chiang came and Yiu spoke of San Luen’s interest in becoming partners with Hung Hing to manage the biggest casino in Macau. Chiang disagrees and Yiu threatens him. Chicken was devastated and torn in half. Chiang leaves with Chan but Chicken stays.

Chan goes out driving with Smartie then stops outside a 7-11. He told Smartie that somewhere in the car there’s a ring. If she finds it, they’ll get married. But as he was in the 7-11, a truck came from behind and smashed the car. Smartie was badly hurt. He took her to the hospital, where she fell into a coma.

Tai Fei and his men came looking for KK, but Chan warned him off. Yee, who is now KK’s boyfriend wanted to assault Tai Fei but was held back. The priest (Spencer Lam from Y&D 1) who was also at the hospital, is so pissed at Tai Fei that he kicked an empty can at Tai Fei (where it would hurt most).

Later, as Yee and KK was walking along a street, Tai Fei’s men jumped on him and kidnapped KK. Tai Fei then called him and said that unless he wants KK to be chain raped, he must steal Chan’s accounts for him.

Here’s the funny part. It appear that Tai Fei is KK’s brother and was only bluffing Yee. He didn’t like KK hanging out with Yee coz he didn’t want her to be unhappy. He goes on to tell her the sad story of a rascal/wiseguy and weeps. Memorable scene.

Tai Fei finds out from the stolen accounts that Chan was not cheating his way to the top and regrets his action. Yee confesses to Chan of his wrongdoing but was forgiven.

Meanwhile, Chicken resigns his post in San Luen after an argument with Yiu. Chingmy drops by Chan’s bar later asking Chicken to come and see Yiu in an effort to reconcile them both. Chicken goes with Chan. But they discover that Chingmy had killed Yiu and framed them both. They escape with a hundred San Luen members chasing them.

Apparently, Tai Fei has joined forces with San Luen and is helping them to open the casino in Macau. Chingmy is appointed to the top post in San Luen. At the opening of the casino, Hung Hing members appear and start trouble. Chan fights with Tai Fei and there were skirmishes everywhere.

The finale sees the San Luen members surrounded by hundreds of Hung Hing members. Chingmy remarks that the target is more important (as she has the other San Luen members pointing their guns at Chan and friends). Suddenly Chan gives a signal and Tai Fei takes out a gun and points it at Chingmy. The truth is revealed: Tai Fei was working undercover for Hung Hing. The truth was forced from Chingmy and the San Luen leaders were shocked to find out that she killed Yiu. They decide to take her back to Taiwan for punishment. Chicken requests to talk to her, tells her that he loves her most, and then shots her. He didn’t want her being tortured in Taiwan.

All is now well, and the Hung Hing members rejoice.