One good movie sparks a lackluster sequel, this one apparently rushed out but capturing little of the manic appeal of the first Kung Fu Mah-jong. Wah Yuen and Qiu Yuen are back but in fairly small and supportive roles; Cherrie Ying (who was very memorable in Johnnie To's THROWDOWN and ELECTION) is excellent as the female lead, a young mah-jong expert troubled by a philandering husband who eventually leaves her for a mob boss's cruel sister. Ying has a wonderful expressiveness and positive intensity that is very pleasing; Yuen and Yuen of course are terrific as always; other cast members are adequate if unremarkable. The storyline is routine and predictable, with a few very funny moments but also a lot of convolution and humorous predicaments that are most likely lost on American audiences (the translation on the HK DVD from CN Entertainment also leaves something to be desired), and much of the "action" depends on a clear understanding of the intricacies of the mah-jong game; still it's an appealing and entertaining film that makes the most of a limited conceptualization.
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