After the rousing success of ‘Aces Go Places’, a sequel was naturally on the cards. The comedic trio were reunited, Eric Tsang returned as director and the same mixture of cameos and crazy stunts was retained.
King Kong once again finds himself at odds with the Hong Kong underworld after another cache of diamonds is stolen. However, alongside the threat of criminal kingpin Bull (Yasuaki Kurata), there is now the further distraction of FBI agent Filthy Harry. Of course, King Kong can rely on old friends Albert Au and Nancy Ho Tung Sze to help him out and, as with the first film, he has an array of crazy gadgets at his disposal.
The formula that made the original so successful has naturally remained untampered with, but the scope of the effects and stunts has clearly expanded. This having been noted, it still remains inferior to the original in terms of direction and general frenetic pace. There are obvious weaknesses, as has been noted, but the film could never be described as ‘dull’. Within the film there are moments of great invention such as the over-the-top weaponry of Filthy Harry’s Rolls-Royce and the insane mini-robot battle that defies description.
A worthy and enjoyable sequel, though not to the standards of the original.
