Review: Although I know all hell will break loose when I say this, this movie was very much enjoyable. Hey, put down that rock and give me a minute or two to tell you why I liked this movie. Good, that's better. With the powerful cast on hand and being this a sequel to Johnnie To's smash hit with the same name, I had astronomical expectations for this movie. I raised my standards to the extent where even if it was "just as good as the first one," I would still hate it. However, due to the numerous amounts of disappointed fans from the first movie, I knew I had to calm myself down and treat this as another movie; a movie totally unrelated to first. That way, if it was below standards, then it wouldn't be because I was comparing it to the first installment. You guys get my point? I believe if most of us treated this movie in this particular manner, most of us won't be as disappointed.

That sounds easier said than done, right? I mean there's obviously the abundant amount of similarities. The plot itself is a mirror image to the first. The only difference is in Ekin Cheng's character, Ken. He plays a very sly, yet cool bomber. Ken is a master magician with enough brain power to outsmart even the wittiest FBI agents. Well, apparently he is the man to fill the shoes, humongous shoes I should say, of the incomparable Andy Lau. In his own right, Ekin Cheng played his role magnificently. His newly trimmed hairdo, sporting a slight goatee, and even his debonaire suits added to his villainous role. The only thing I thought was missing was the whole idea of "running out of time." Ken didn't have the slightest case of any illness whatsoever nor did he even sneeze or cough throughout the movie. It's like he popped out of nowhere and decided to play cat and mouse with Lau Ching Wan. However, as I sat there wondering what Ken's motives were to all his crimes, I looked at the DVD cover and it had the words "Catch Me . . . If You Can." Yes, if you're wondering, Ken did have a motive but it wasn't as original as the one Andy Lau had. Never mind that. The whole movie, if you really look at it, is a game. Nothing else. And when you watch the enthralling chase master scenes between Ekin and Lau Ching, I'd say you'll be quite pleased with the outcome.

Now, in terms of the storyline, I think the writer's woke up one day and said, "Betchabygolliewow, I have a great idea for the second movie. Why don't we get Ekin Cheng in place of Andy, use the same formula because it was so good, and have Lau Ching Wan run around Hong Kong trying to catch Ekin! Alright, we got ourselves a movie." This was certainly a no brainer. However, the writers did give it a slight face lift with the addition of the very attractive Kelly Lin (who speaks so-so English) and more hilarious interactions between Sang (Lau Ching) and his boss. And there's also a very pitiful gambler that goes through all kinds of mishaps. He encounters Ken often and tries to see if his luck has changed through a simple "heads or tails" game. I'd say this was a good side story because it gave Ekin's character more depth just like the encounters Andy Lau had on the train with that girl. I just wish the relationship between Sang and Teresa (Kelly Lin) was extended a tad bit more. It's like Johnnie To was pointing us into one direction and then all of sudden run us straight into an oncoming bus. The attraction was certainly there. Lau Ching Wan, as always, is superb in his portrayal. He brings a sense of passion to the screen and a good mix of professionalism with a dab of comedic humor.

As for the action and music, it was decent enough. I have to agree with most of you guys out there that the music was overdone. The use of the theme song from the first movie became annoying sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I like it as much as Joseph Luster's porn magazines or JD Nguyen's ultra-collection of Dennis the Menace figurines, but Johnnie To should've known better. I can imagine Mr. To chewing out the music coordinator, "No, I want more ummph! Give me more of that song from the first movie. It's sooo good!" Hell, while they were up it, why didn't they just kill off the music coordinator and give his job to a retard who can flip a switch?! That way, when To wants his theme song in a certain part, all he has to do is hit the retard in the head and he'll gladly flip the switch. Voila! Presto!