The Twins Effect 2 (DTS) - Up for pre-order

[Ono]

Yes Asia

Doesn't look like they are doing a Silver/Bronze silly Vampire book package for this one then.

Must say that I hated the first film but I'll be getting this out of curiosity

[tpr007]

Apart from the "Twins" can I assume this has nothing at all to do with the first one (I actually enjoyed it :o )

Is Donnie Yen action-directing again?

[Ono]

Yep, absolutely nothing to do with the original

Totally different plot, characters and even time period.

From the official site:

About the film
Emperor Motion Pictures' 2004 summer blockbuster "The Huadu Chronicles: Blade Of The Rose", is now in production. It follows the company's smash hit "The Twins Effect", the number one local film at the Hong Kong box office in 2003.

The film boasts an all-star cast of top performers from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. These include Charlene Choi and Gillian Chung (known collectively as "Twins"), Jaycee Chan, Chen Po-lin , Edison Chen, Fan Bing-bing, Qu Ying, the two internationally renowned action actors Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen, and Hong Kong's top leading men Tony Leung Ka-fai and Daniel Wu.

At HK$80,000,000 (US$10.2m), the production budget of "The Huadu Chronicles: Blade Of The Rose" is much more than that of "The Twins Effect". The background of the story is also totally different from the company's previous hit. It tells the epic tale of a young prince's dangerous journey through the mythical land of Huadu, and of how he finally leads an army against the forces of the tyrannical Empress.

The movie employs the talents of Menfond, the company that won Best Special Effects prize at both the 40th Golden Horse Awards and the 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards. Menfond specializes in designing spectacular visual effects to complement Asian style action.

"Blade Of The Rose" sees veteran action director Cory Yuen arrange a stunning martial arts duel between kung fu legends Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen.


Synopsis
This tale is set in Huadu, an ancient land ruled by a cruel empress (Qu Ying), a place where men are subservient to women. The empress' reign is disturbed by a prophecy saying a boy will rise to become king, and restore the male regime.

Char (Jaycee Chan), a humble boy, is born to be emperor. He and his adopted brother, Leaf (Chen Po-lin), perform in a traveling show run by their adopted father, Blackwood (Tony Leung). Thanks to their friend, Lao (Edison Chen), the pair receive a stone with a map engraved on it. They set out on a quest for the treasure that the map is supposed to reveal.

Two lovely yet lethal female warriors, Blue (Gillian Chung) and Spring (Charlene Choi), join the boys on their journey. The youngsters encounter various challenges before they meet General Lone (Donnie Yen), a master swordsman who seeks to overthrow the empire. To do so he must first duel the Lord Of Armour (Jackie Chan)¡K.

[Jimmyboy]

I advise you all to avoid this film, it truly is terrible and makes the first film seem like a modern day master piece in comparison.

Don't go buying it thinking the Chan Vs Yen fight will save it either because the whole fight is badly edited and mixed with CGI effects like we're used to seeing in crap Hollywood action pictures. Oh and Jackie Chans son has zero charisma and can't carry the film as the lead, unlike his old man.

[bruce-leroy]

I don't think I'll be bothering with this one after the crapness of the first film.

[saviola]

Agree was totally awful Chan jr could/should win an award for the least talented actor and it would be as no surprise (for this movie anyway).

Chan v Yen was very disappointing, very badly edited as said above.

I didn't mind the first film, as it was a no brainer you could watch anytime and not feel to dirty about it . However, the 'sequel' (used more loosely than a rappers jeans) is total tosh. Can't even be bothered to sum up all the reasons why

Avoid.

[Ono]

Order cancelled