21 reviews
- tarbosh22000
- Feb 16, 2014
- Permalink
Watched this randomly and was so entertained. The action was well filmed and it was so fast paced it felt like 10 minutes. So many cool moments
Story was thin and predictable but the cast were entertaining even with the bad dubbing. I like Robin Shou as the bad guy, was what you want from a 90s action film bad guy. The sword fight with Donnie Yen and fake highlander was good too.
Overall if you want to see cool stunts and be entertained then this is the film for you.
Story was thin and predictable but the cast were entertaining even with the bad dubbing. I like Robin Shou as the bad guy, was what you want from a 90s action film bad guy. The sword fight with Donnie Yen and fake highlander was good too.
Overall if you want to see cool stunts and be entertained then this is the film for you.
- davidjohnston-10835
- Mar 18, 2022
- Permalink
- pal05052003
- Apr 15, 2017
- Permalink
We all agree that this movie has lots of awesome fight scenes, the story is good enough to justify the ass kickery...but what about the rest? I have only one complaint about this movie and i'm talking about Rosamund Kwan, i have nothing against her, but her character ruined the movie for me, always delivering some very lame (and annoying) humorous scenes (and i usually don't mind about the comical scenes in these movies), i seriously hoped that the villain (played by Robin Shou, yes, the guy who played Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat movies) would have ripped her heart out.
Enough with the complaints...anyway, as i said, the film has lots of awesome fights (including one of the best sword fights ever filmed, featuring Donnie Yen and John Salvitti) and there are also lots of cool stunts.
Cynthia Khan has a small role in this movie (i know that there are some versions where she has an extra scene), it would have been a much better movie if they made her play the Rosamund Kwan role, Donnie and Cynthia would kick some ass together (maybe, it would have been better than "In the line of duty IV").
Enough with the complaints...anyway, as i said, the film has lots of awesome fights (including one of the best sword fights ever filmed, featuring Donnie Yen and John Salvitti) and there are also lots of cool stunts.
Cynthia Khan has a small role in this movie (i know that there are some versions where she has an extra scene), it would have been a much better movie if they made her play the Rosamund Kwan role, Donnie and Cynthia would kick some ass together (maybe, it would have been better than "In the line of duty IV").
- Viva_Chiba
- Aug 7, 2012
- Permalink
There's only one good reason to watch this movie and it's to see Donnie Yen's fight scenes. The last 20 minutes of this film include some of Donnie Yen's best. The rest of the movie up until that point is mind numbingly bad. Cheesy music, bad dialogue, corny humor, and a razor thin plot. In fact, I don't think there was a screenplay written for this thing. I think Yuen Woo Ping just started filming fight scenes and the story was written on napkins in between takes. That being said, your kung fu movie collection will not be complete without the last three fight scenes in this movie. They are classic and almost worth the wait. Just skip ahead to that last 20 minutes and I promise you won't be missing anything.
- ericthered01
- Mar 15, 2009
- Permalink
The plot is shallow and frankly quite tiresome (Donnie Yen and Rosamund Kwan spend most of the running time being chased by the police and the bad guys headed by Robin Shou, until they pick up some friends and decide to fight back), but the fight scenes are often creative (in one, Yen has to fight with only one hand because his other is cuffed to Kwan, so he ends up using her as a weapon as well; another fight takes place on a moving double-decker bus), and some of the moves and stunts are awesome (like when Yen jumps and delivers three kicks in mid-air before landing down, without the help of wires I think). As usual, the best stuff is saved for last, with Yen going one-on-one against firstly John Salvitti in a swordfight, then against Michael Woods (who could be described as a Black Hulk), and finally against Robin Shou (a brief but very fast fight). Rosamund Kwan falls somewhere between shrill and adorable, but mostly on the adorable side; I had seen her in a couple of other films, but I had never noticed before what a beautiful, expressive face she has. Oh, and Cynthia Khan pops up briefly, playing (presumably) the same character as in the "In The Line Of Duty" series (Inspector Yeung), but her part is essentially a cameo. (**1/2)
- gridoon2024
- Jan 8, 2008
- Permalink
I'll say it again: Tiger Cage II is simply the best modern day action movie from Hong Kong. This movie has it all to become a classic: martial arts, gunfights, an awesome swordfight, comedy, and good characters and stunts!! Don't be fooled by the title it has nothing to do with the first Tiger Cage!! Donnie Yen (The greatest, in my opinion!!), Robin Shou(from Mortal Kombat, but don't worry he fights extremely well in this movie) and Davis Wu star in this great action movie. The last 20 minutes of the movie are fights after fights: Robin against David, Donnie against John Salvitti, Donnie against Michael Woods, Donnie against Robin!!! The movie's is also extremely well directed by the Master himself: Yuen-Woo Ping. And Donnie, Yuen Cheung-Yan and Yuen Shun-Yee(two brothers of Yuen Woo-Ping) are in charge of the action sequences. Simply get this movie if you are looking for a great ACTION movie from HK...............................9,3/10
Sitting down in 2022 to watch the 1990 crime action movie "Sai Hak Chin" (aka "Tiger Gate 2") for the first time. I had actually never heard about this movie from writers Chi-Ho Fong, Kwong-Kim Yip and Yeuk-Kwong Yuen before I had the opportunity to watch it.
But I figured since the movie was a crime action and had Donnie Yen, Rosamund Kwan and Robin Shou on the cast list, then I would be in for something watchable and enjoyable. So I sat down to watch "Sai Hak Chin", and I must say that director Woo-Ping Yuen did manage to put the script and storyline onto the screen in an enjoyable and entertaining manner.
The storyline in Woo-Ping Yuen's movie was pretty straight forward, if not actually somewhat generic for an early 1990s crime action movie. But hey, the formula worked then and still works today, and that makes "Sai Hak Chin" an enjoyable and watchable movie. There is a good combination of the genres, that being crime, drama and martial arts.
The cast ensemble in "Sai Hak Chin" was also good, and needless to say that it was definitely pure joy to watch the young Donnie Yen, Rosamund Kwan and Robin Shou in the movie.
There is a good amount of martial arts and action throughout the course of "Sai Hak Chin", which should provide more than sufficient to keep most viewers happy.
My rating of "Sai Hak Chin" lands on a well-deserved six out of ten stars.
But I figured since the movie was a crime action and had Donnie Yen, Rosamund Kwan and Robin Shou on the cast list, then I would be in for something watchable and enjoyable. So I sat down to watch "Sai Hak Chin", and I must say that director Woo-Ping Yuen did manage to put the script and storyline onto the screen in an enjoyable and entertaining manner.
The storyline in Woo-Ping Yuen's movie was pretty straight forward, if not actually somewhat generic for an early 1990s crime action movie. But hey, the formula worked then and still works today, and that makes "Sai Hak Chin" an enjoyable and watchable movie. There is a good combination of the genres, that being crime, drama and martial arts.
The cast ensemble in "Sai Hak Chin" was also good, and needless to say that it was definitely pure joy to watch the young Donnie Yen, Rosamund Kwan and Robin Shou in the movie.
There is a good amount of martial arts and action throughout the course of "Sai Hak Chin", which should provide more than sufficient to keep most viewers happy.
My rating of "Sai Hak Chin" lands on a well-deserved six out of ten stars.
- paul_haakonsen
- Jun 10, 2022
- Permalink
A sequel in name only to the action-packed TIGER CAGE, TIGER CAGE 2 marks a real highlight of the Hong Kong comedy cop/action sub-genre. Directed by Yuen Woo Ping - undoubtedly one of the best of the Chinese directors and martial arts choreographers - this sequel turns out to be better than the original and indeed might well be the best of its kind.
The film features an intensely likable Donnie Yen and an at-her-most-gorgeous Rosamund Kwan as a mismatched couple (a cop and a lawyer, respectively) who run foul of some sinister money launderers who use murder to keep their business private. The end up on the run being pursued by gangsters. Of course, what this inevitably leads to is an incredible amount of expertly-choreographed action and fight sequences. There are the requisite car chases and shoot-outs here, but the majority of the action is hand-to-hand combat, and boy is it blistering.
Yen is on top form as a physical fight and his bouts with various opponents are fast and furious. The plot is occasionally slightly muddled (and the dodgy subtitles on the Hong Kong blu-ray I watched hardly helped) but it doesn't matter as this is visual, visceral entertainment throughout. Michael Woods makes his third (and best) appearance in a Chinese film, the creepy John Salvitti is back from IN THE LINE OF DUTY 4, and Robin Shou makes a decent antagonist. Watch out for a surprisingly fine David Wu in support and a cameo from veteran star Lo Lieh as a gangster.
The film features an intensely likable Donnie Yen and an at-her-most-gorgeous Rosamund Kwan as a mismatched couple (a cop and a lawyer, respectively) who run foul of some sinister money launderers who use murder to keep their business private. The end up on the run being pursued by gangsters. Of course, what this inevitably leads to is an incredible amount of expertly-choreographed action and fight sequences. There are the requisite car chases and shoot-outs here, but the majority of the action is hand-to-hand combat, and boy is it blistering.
Yen is on top form as a physical fight and his bouts with various opponents are fast and furious. The plot is occasionally slightly muddled (and the dodgy subtitles on the Hong Kong blu-ray I watched hardly helped) but it doesn't matter as this is visual, visceral entertainment throughout. Michael Woods makes his third (and best) appearance in a Chinese film, the creepy John Salvitti is back from IN THE LINE OF DUTY 4, and Robin Shou makes a decent antagonist. Watch out for a surprisingly fine David Wu in support and a cameo from veteran star Lo Lieh as a gangster.
- Leofwine_draca
- Nov 4, 2014
- Permalink
Reviewed by FilmMining101:
The sequel to "Tiger Cage" (1988) elevates Donnie Yen into the main lead status and brings back some of the same actors into different roles with a few "wink wink" cameos for a good measure. The uniquely named... "Tiger Cage II" has nothing to separate itself from the action Hong Kong flicks of the 80s except being more humorous than its predecessor shaping it towards an R-rated Jackie Chan vehicle.
Donnie Yen carries the film on his shoulders showing a charismatic presence that will be perfected in the years to come taking your breath away when he is fighting well-known martial artists. Yet, perhaps from a western perspective, what elevates "Tiger Cage II" is seeing the beloved Liu Kang/Robin Shou shine in a truly villainous role flexing with martial art prowess when his American transition put some limits on; an office fight with David Wu's ... David is visceral and expertly shot featuring dazzling athletic stuntwork that demolishes the average US film.
While it might lack the lavish production values that Hollywood offers, 80s and early 90s Hong Kong cinema was notorious for its on-screen death defying and pain inducing stunts and "Tiger Cage II", a product of its time is no exception; people fly through wind screens, fall on side walks and staircases, enjoy contact style choreography, leap and twirl in the air like human kites using gravity to their advantage in spectacular fashion.
Yuen Woo-ping does a solid job as a director even if the paper thin story cannot keep up with the A+ kung fu fighting. From the get go, it is quite obvious who the bad buy is and the film becomes more of a collection of mini segments that are linked with the barest of information populated with glaring product placement which will make even Michael Bay blush. To be fair though, back then Hong Kong filmmakers only cared to demonstrate their ability to craft innovative action moments by attempting to outdo what had come previously through the addition of more outrageous and dangerous stunts.
Despite a running time of ninety something minutes (Hong Kong cut), "Tiger Cage II" is quite entertaining, a stark reminder of a bygone era filled with visceral, if not occasionally funny and pain inducing, thrills. Fans of martial arts flicks will eat this up and will enjoy the OTT (western) villain portrayals while patiently nodding their heads at the stunning but overblown damsel in distress that Rosamund Kwan plays. The uninitiated might have a problem but if you stay for the action, you won't be disappointed for sure.
The sequel to "Tiger Cage" (1988) elevates Donnie Yen into the main lead status and brings back some of the same actors into different roles with a few "wink wink" cameos for a good measure. The uniquely named... "Tiger Cage II" has nothing to separate itself from the action Hong Kong flicks of the 80s except being more humorous than its predecessor shaping it towards an R-rated Jackie Chan vehicle.
Donnie Yen carries the film on his shoulders showing a charismatic presence that will be perfected in the years to come taking your breath away when he is fighting well-known martial artists. Yet, perhaps from a western perspective, what elevates "Tiger Cage II" is seeing the beloved Liu Kang/Robin Shou shine in a truly villainous role flexing with martial art prowess when his American transition put some limits on; an office fight with David Wu's ... David is visceral and expertly shot featuring dazzling athletic stuntwork that demolishes the average US film.
While it might lack the lavish production values that Hollywood offers, 80s and early 90s Hong Kong cinema was notorious for its on-screen death defying and pain inducing stunts and "Tiger Cage II", a product of its time is no exception; people fly through wind screens, fall on side walks and staircases, enjoy contact style choreography, leap and twirl in the air like human kites using gravity to their advantage in spectacular fashion.
Yuen Woo-ping does a solid job as a director even if the paper thin story cannot keep up with the A+ kung fu fighting. From the get go, it is quite obvious who the bad buy is and the film becomes more of a collection of mini segments that are linked with the barest of information populated with glaring product placement which will make even Michael Bay blush. To be fair though, back then Hong Kong filmmakers only cared to demonstrate their ability to craft innovative action moments by attempting to outdo what had come previously through the addition of more outrageous and dangerous stunts.
Despite a running time of ninety something minutes (Hong Kong cut), "Tiger Cage II" is quite entertaining, a stark reminder of a bygone era filled with visceral, if not occasionally funny and pain inducing, thrills. Fans of martial arts flicks will eat this up and will enjoy the OTT (western) villain portrayals while patiently nodding their heads at the stunning but overblown damsel in distress that Rosamund Kwan plays. The uninitiated might have a problem but if you stay for the action, you won't be disappointed for sure.
- FilmMining101
- Jul 13, 2023
- Permalink
Yuen Woo-Ping once again delivers another modern day actioner full of brutal martial arts action. In this movie, Donnie Yen and Rosamond Kwan are on the run from cops and drug dealers after they are framed for murder. Plot is insignificant in this film, however. This movie has a lot of great fights including Donnie Yen and John Salvitti fighting with swords and a fight with Michael Woods. These are classic fight scenes. The only problem is that in my version, Cynthia Khan fights Robin Shou for a few moments and then arrests him. I felt cheated. The movie was also a bit too vulgar and violent for my tastes. Anyone who likes martial arts movies should check this out.
Tiger Cage 2 has nothing to do with the first film. Different story, different characters, totally different movie. However, some things are the same. It's directed by Yuen Woo Ping, it's set in a modern setting and Donnie Yen returns (top billed this time). Tiger Cage 2 in my opinion is not as well made as the original film. The acting and storyline are much better, the tone is darker and there is no villains here than can match the likes of Simon Yam. However, if you are here for the action you won't be disappointed. The action here is just as good as the first movie and there is more of it. There is also more Donnie Yen and he spends a good portion of the film fighting. His acting is still a bit wooden at this point, but more than makes up with it with his excellent fighting skills.
- dworldeater
- Sep 20, 2023
- Permalink
No pun intended - this may be Tiger Cage 2 (international title), but you do not need to have seen the first one - there is no connection other than the title. And Donnie Yen, though he plays a completely different character in this movie. The tone is also way different - this is a lot "lighter" and has quite a few jokes in it. Donnies character really has some fun here.
Not everything is PC and I reckon the way certain things are handled will not be looked lightly upon ... or rather received through the lens of time. Sensibilities and all - some things were meant to be light jokes but the implications are way deeper than that. And yes you could hang the movie up on that - hopefully you are able to look past that. Not easy to do for some I know ... just try to enjoy the action and the comedy if you can.... otherwise you won't have a good time.
Not everything is PC and I reckon the way certain things are handled will not be looked lightly upon ... or rather received through the lens of time. Sensibilities and all - some things were meant to be light jokes but the implications are way deeper than that. And yes you could hang the movie up on that - hopefully you are able to look past that. Not easy to do for some I know ... just try to enjoy the action and the comedy if you can.... otherwise you won't have a good time.
Seven million dollars of laundered drug money is stolen from a powerful triad gang. Nobody has actually got the cash but Crazy Dragon, a hot-tempered ex-cop, and the beautiful divorce lawyer Mandy, find themselves neck-deep in big trouble. Pursued by gangsters set on retrieving their loot and the police, who suspect them of the theft and the brutal murders that followed, the mis-matched couple are trapped in a spiralling nightmare of deceit, double-crossing and ultra-violent mayhem which unfolds through a non-stop series of action sequences.
Donnie Yen and Rosamund Kwan make a great pair in this excellent HK actioner that has a plethora of fine action set-pieces - the bus scene in particular stands out with Donnie leaping from one bus to another. What you get is plenty of chase scenes, a plot that fires from cylinder, and melded into this strong dose of mayhem is some comedy, which is well done. The characters of Donnie Yen and cutie Rosamund are such a stark contrast, one an impulse and rude ex-cop and the other a whiny solicitor who isn't used to being chased and shot at. It's their pairing that I find quite entertaining. Cynthia Khan and Carol Cheng have small roles but they do well in their parts. Check out the finale - a sword fight between John Salvitti and Mr Yen, a showdown with Michael Woods and Robin Shou, all executed with skill and frenetic precision.
Donnie Yen and Rosamund Kwan make a great pair in this excellent HK actioner that has a plethora of fine action set-pieces - the bus scene in particular stands out with Donnie leaping from one bus to another. What you get is plenty of chase scenes, a plot that fires from cylinder, and melded into this strong dose of mayhem is some comedy, which is well done. The characters of Donnie Yen and cutie Rosamund are such a stark contrast, one an impulse and rude ex-cop and the other a whiny solicitor who isn't used to being chased and shot at. It's their pairing that I find quite entertaining. Cynthia Khan and Carol Cheng have small roles but they do well in their parts. Check out the finale - a sword fight between John Salvitti and Mr Yen, a showdown with Michael Woods and Robin Shou, all executed with skill and frenetic precision.
First off, apparently there at one point was a different exported version of this movie. I recently watched it on Neftlix and have verified that I watched the original edit of this film but with English dubbing.
I wonder if some reviews are based off of the alternate exported version that has a completely different ending. You can see notes on IMDb for the differences between the two which are rather substantial but not without spoiling the ending. I suggest watching it off Netflix if you can.
Anyway, I think this film was a lot of fun. Donnie Yen does it again with his amazing martial arts talent and action directing. The fight scenes were an awesome display of his abilities and very enjoyable to watch.
I found the characters to be likable and those saying that Rosamund Kwan's character is annoying, well duh she's supposed to be a pain which is why she drives Donnie's character nuts the whole movie. I thought it made for good humor.
This movie is from 1990 so it still has that 80's feeling to it but I didn't find it to be overly cheesy or anything. I actually liked seeing that Donnie wasn't a cop this time but rather a retired cop post divorce thrown into one bad situation after the next.
Overall I found it to be a fun movie with really well done action/fight scenes.
I wonder if some reviews are based off of the alternate exported version that has a completely different ending. You can see notes on IMDb for the differences between the two which are rather substantial but not without spoiling the ending. I suggest watching it off Netflix if you can.
Anyway, I think this film was a lot of fun. Donnie Yen does it again with his amazing martial arts talent and action directing. The fight scenes were an awesome display of his abilities and very enjoyable to watch.
I found the characters to be likable and those saying that Rosamund Kwan's character is annoying, well duh she's supposed to be a pain which is why she drives Donnie's character nuts the whole movie. I thought it made for good humor.
This movie is from 1990 so it still has that 80's feeling to it but I didn't find it to be overly cheesy or anything. I actually liked seeing that Donnie wasn't a cop this time but rather a retired cop post divorce thrown into one bad situation after the next.
Overall I found it to be a fun movie with really well done action/fight scenes.
- The-Sarkologist
- Dec 20, 2013
- Permalink
- spywatcher459
- Mar 18, 2009
- Permalink
Oh man this is definitely in my top ten Asian films along with Hard Boiled ,The Killer ,Fist of Legend etc.
The fights are awesome even better than the ones in In The Line of Duty IV. Especially Donnie Yen vs Michael Woods is an absolute screen fighting legend.
How I wished that Carol 'Do Do' Cheng would play the lead girl instead of Rosamund "I'm the most annoying female lead ever" Kwan. I hated every scene including her. Even her character being clumsy didn't make me smile, made me hate her more.
How I wish I could make this movie without her. It would have been 10/10 for sure. I wonder why they cannot make movies like this anymore.
An action classic...Unmissable for any HK action fan
The fights are awesome even better than the ones in In The Line of Duty IV. Especially Donnie Yen vs Michael Woods is an absolute screen fighting legend.
How I wished that Carol 'Do Do' Cheng would play the lead girl instead of Rosamund "I'm the most annoying female lead ever" Kwan. I hated every scene including her. Even her character being clumsy didn't make me smile, made me hate her more.
How I wish I could make this movie without her. It would have been 10/10 for sure. I wonder why they cannot make movies like this anymore.
An action classic...Unmissable for any HK action fan
- Sevket_Erhat
- May 8, 2007
- Permalink
(1990) Tiger Cage II
(In Chinese with English subtitles)
ACTION COMEDY
It centers on a missing bag of illegal laundered drug money accidentally coming to the hands of two innocent people of Dragon (Donnie Yen) and Mandy (Rosamond Kwan). Lucky, the character Dragon (Donnie Yen) also happens to be a martial artist.
Donnie Yen signed a contract to do five movies with martial Arts aficionado Yuen Woo Ping and it was this simple plot device we get to see Donnie Yen young and still in his prime. Please stay away from the dubbed version which kills the entire impact of the fight and action sequences displayed. The sword fighting sequence is one of the best I had ever seen, as long hair is being used and so forth.
It centers on a missing bag of illegal laundered drug money accidentally coming to the hands of two innocent people of Dragon (Donnie Yen) and Mandy (Rosamond Kwan). Lucky, the character Dragon (Donnie Yen) also happens to be a martial artist.
Donnie Yen signed a contract to do five movies with martial Arts aficionado Yuen Woo Ping and it was this simple plot device we get to see Donnie Yen young and still in his prime. Please stay away from the dubbed version which kills the entire impact of the fight and action sequences displayed. The sword fighting sequence is one of the best I had ever seen, as long hair is being used and so forth.
- jordondave-28085
- Nov 28, 2022
- Permalink
- lwandlematebe
- May 19, 2024
- Permalink
I know, I know. Rosamond Kwan is as useless as **** zits. She is like a loud-mouth parrot on crack. And believe me, nothing was more enjoyable when Donnie finally said to her in his mind (and I'm assuming this) "*****, you annoyed me for the last time," and punched her in the face. But trust me, her uselessness and exasperating nature wasn't even close to ruining what I think was great action movie.
Tiger Cage 2 is about Donnie and Rosamond on the run from the cops for a murder they didn't commit (but that part of the story is not really focused) and also trying to recover a **** load of money and dealing with some corrupt guy who was the mastermind behind the murder. What will they do? Ooga Booga!
The story does work for what it is even though it is unfocused at times and some of the aspects of the story are not conclusive. The acting is passable except Rosamond who is nothing more than eye-candy who acts as a horrid comic relief. But the action is where this movie really shines. It is practically non-stop and all of it was fantastic. Most of the action is martial arts fighting and does have some gun fighting and the choreography is wonderful. BUT (!!!!) what is up with that sword fighting scene? That was my main curiosity for this movie and I wasn't disappointed. In fact I liked it a lot but it is a little over-hyped. I would put it in maybe top 100 best fight scenes ever but I seen better. Just an opinion. Sor-ry!
In conclusion: Indeed, a wonderful HK action film despite being inconsistent in tone with the story, the always unwanted comedy and that irritant Rosamond Kwan.
Tiger Cage 2 is about Donnie and Rosamond on the run from the cops for a murder they didn't commit (but that part of the story is not really focused) and also trying to recover a **** load of money and dealing with some corrupt guy who was the mastermind behind the murder. What will they do? Ooga Booga!
The story does work for what it is even though it is unfocused at times and some of the aspects of the story are not conclusive. The acting is passable except Rosamond who is nothing more than eye-candy who acts as a horrid comic relief. But the action is where this movie really shines. It is practically non-stop and all of it was fantastic. Most of the action is martial arts fighting and does have some gun fighting and the choreography is wonderful. BUT (!!!!) what is up with that sword fighting scene? That was my main curiosity for this movie and I wasn't disappointed. In fact I liked it a lot but it is a little over-hyped. I would put it in maybe top 100 best fight scenes ever but I seen better. Just an opinion. Sor-ry!
In conclusion: Indeed, a wonderful HK action film despite being inconsistent in tone with the story, the always unwanted comedy and that irritant Rosamond Kwan.
- DavyDissonance
- Jan 25, 2017
- Permalink