SPL 2: A Time For Consequences (DVD) (Japan Version) DVD Region 2

A sequel in name only, A Time for Consequences has nothing to do with the original SPL, and this time focuses on a gang of particularly ruthless organ smugglers, headed up by Hung (Louis Koo), who is unfortunately dying of a heart condition, his own brother (Jun Kung) being the only suitable candidate for a transplant. Putting survival before family values, Hung decides to kidnap his younger sibling, though the snatch and grab goes wrong and turns into a bloody shootout with the police, which exposes long-suffering undercover drug addict officer Kit (Wu Jing). Whisked away by Hung’s men, Kit is stashed in a grim Thai prison under the eye of chief warden and Hung henchman Ko Chun (Zhang Jin), where he meets Chai (Tony Jaa), a guard desperate to save his young daughter who is suffering from leukaemia. As it turns out, Kit is the only one with the bone marrow needed to help the girl, and the two men form a bond while his superior and uncle Wah (Simon Yam) tries to track him down.

Given the truancy of Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung and its totally unrelated plot, it’s obviously debatable whether or not A Time for Consequences really needs to be tagged as the sequel to SPL, a fact which doesn't really do it too many favours. Certainly, Soi Cheang's offering has far more in common with The Raid and in particular The Raid 2 in terms of its scope and action beats, though thankfully it does manage to stand on its own two feet. There's definitely a lot more going on here than in the average genre flick, and while some viewers will be put off by its overreliance on coincidence and vague notions of fate, the film does win points for its well-structured plot and reasonably developed characters. Though still disposable and prone to flights of misplaced grandeur set to classical music, the film generally grips through to the end, and benefits from a gritty edge reminiscent of Soi's hard-boiled Dog Bite Dog. Also impressive is the way in which the script ventures into some moral grey areas, and as with the original SPL even its villains are somewhat sympathetic, albeit in a macho, angst-ridden kind of way.

Of course the action is the main draw here and the score on which A Time for Consequences is most likely to be judged, and so it's no small relief that Soi and veteran choreographer Li Ching Chi (The White Storm) combine their talents well to produce some excellent set pieces. Though there's nothing here as memorable as Donnie Yen and Wu Jing's alleyway duel in SPL and nothing to challenge The Raid, the film more than holds its own against the vast majority of other productions, with plenty of creative and suitably bone-crunching brawls. Tony Jaa, Wu Jing and Zhang Jin all live up to expectations, having multiple chances to show off their skills, and the film at times has an old school martial arts feel, with the kind of real enthusiasm for the form not often seen of late in the HK genre. Arguably one of the best action film makers working in China at the moment, Soi pulls everything together with assurance, and keeps the film pounding along at a fast pace despite a long running time, and after a slight lapse around the halfway mark it builds towards an exciting conclusion and an impressive final showdown.

SPL 2: A Time for Consequences is several notches above what might have been expected for such a belated sequel, and a very worthwhile follow-up to the original. Backed by a fine cast on top physical form, Soi Cheang delivers two hours of great martial arts action which fans of the form are certain to enjoy.

by James Mudge - EasternKicks.com