video cover

SPL 2: A Time for Consequences
(aka Sha Po Lang 2, SPL II, Kill Zone 2)
2015; directed by Soi Cheang

A decade after the original SPL came out, we have SPL 2, which has recently been released in North America by Well Go USA under the alternate title Kill Zone 2. Though this movie is a sequel in name only to the well-regarded SPL, it still delivers a lot of action and -- as can be expected from a film featuring Tony Jaa -- a smorgasbord of knee strikes to the head.

SPL 2

Telling a somewhat too convoluted story about underground human organ trafficking, the movie bounces between Thailand and Hong Kong, with two cops (Tony Jaa and Jacky Wu Jing) involved in investigations that eventually intersect and lead to out and out brawls. The script tries too hard to keep the audience guessing, but ends up losing them a bit in the process, as they will most likely just become impatient for the next fight scene. Hong Kong veteran actors Simon Yam and Louis Koo try to give some gravitas to the exposition scenes, but it all becomes a bit too plodding, and (thanks to Koo's unfortunate hairstyle) a little silly for a "gritty" action film.

SPL 2

Thankfully, SPL 2 does deliver the goods when it comes to fisticuffs. Helmed by Soi Cheang under the guidance of veteran action director Nicky Li, who has worked in the industry for almost thirty years with credits including the Jackie Chan classic Project A Part II, the fight scenes displayed here are visceral and violent and should satisfy fans of the actors involved. Soi's style thankfully eschews many modern day tropes such as quick camera cuts and close-up shots, which allows the audience to actually see what is going on during the fight scenes -- though some die-hard purists may bemoan the somewhat obvious use of wires and other trickery.

SPL 2

RATING: 7

Besides the title change, Well Go USA's release is uncut, with Cantonese/Mandarin/Thai and English soundtracks available along with English subtitles. It is available on VOD, DVD, and Blu-ray from Amazon. Extras on the disc-based versions include trailers for the movie and other Well Go releases, a behind the scenes featurette, and deleted scenes.

Movie Reviews / Main Page