The story may build more slowly than most action fans would prefer, but keep watching. The farfetched series of seemingly random pieces of past and present converge well for dramatic weight, if not for probability. Most of the package, including some fine performances, warrants a 6 or 7. But the penultimate action sequence in which Fable is set upon by seemingly endless minions in and around a high-rise apartment building is among the best of its type you can find. Think of Jackie Chan's frenetic agility on various scaffolds and multi-level structures - minus the comedic touches - and that lengthy sequence is what boosts this one up to an 8.
16 Reviews
Better than the first one!
saltnicusamy18 November 2021
Action, comedy, and a wee bit of romance!
cile-chan23 November 2021
Like part 1, the build up to the action is notably longer than the action spectacle itself. Though, the comical aspect really make up for it, hence it doesn't feel tedious. Moreover, the action scenes in this one feel more high budget so it's a real treat to watch!
Thanks to Netflix we were able to enjoy both films! I've been meaning to check them out ever since I watched the trailer on youtube but couldn't find a legal way then.
Thanks to Netflix we were able to enjoy both films! I've been meaning to check them out ever since I watched the trailer on youtube but couldn't find a legal way then.
Love the manga, movie good in its own way
wocaky19 November 2021
You don't get the depth of the story like the manga so the movie can only be seen as a compliment to the manga story. Not everything worked but I manage to finish the movie without fast forward or anything so its watchable.
Not good enough
adriansemetisarugard3 April 2023
Like the first movie, this one also doesn't really work and it should be an anime. Some of the qurkiness does not really translate to real world, but the first movie is waaay more guilty of this.
This movie is improvement compared to the first in almost every aspect; some things stayed the same, like mediocre acting, even tho the production quality of second movie is much better.
Story will always be good, even tho it's less messy that the first one, it can still be better. And they finally made gun sounds decent (in first film, it was sooo bad, especially silencer sounds). What is really good in these movies is the action. The way Fable moves is awesome.
My personal gripe from both films is portrayal of Akira Satou/aka Fable. I think objectively the actor is probably fine, but not in my eyes, also the way he struggles with better enemies, does not gimme the vibe he is the legend as portrayed. In manga there is not one human who can beat him in fight, let alone give him trouble, but I can understand that it's for movie purposes.
6.3/10.
This movie is improvement compared to the first in almost every aspect; some things stayed the same, like mediocre acting, even tho the production quality of second movie is much better.
Story will always be good, even tho it's less messy that the first one, it can still be better. And they finally made gun sounds decent (in first film, it was sooo bad, especially silencer sounds). What is really good in these movies is the action. The way Fable moves is awesome.
My personal gripe from both films is portrayal of Akira Satou/aka Fable. I think objectively the actor is probably fine, but not in my eyes, also the way he struggles with better enemies, does not gimme the vibe he is the legend as portrayed. In manga there is not one human who can beat him in fight, let alone give him trouble, but I can understand that it's for movie purposes.
6.3/10.
Decent action film
siderite3 March 2022
The story is tired and old: good hearted assassin has to protect innocents from bad hearted assassins, I guess. The acting is not stellar, but the action is good. I actually did not know it was a sequel (thought it was a remake) and so I watched this before I watched the original (or read the manga). Truth be told, I am not particularly thrilled for either, but I may do it if I am bored. I just wish the acting was a little better. I liked a lot more the actor playing the villain (Shin'ichi Tsutsumi) than the one playing the hero (Jun'ichi Okada), although the first is an actual actor, while the latter is a boy band member and a martial artist, so his performance was brilliant considering. The girls were there just to look pretty, for example.
Bottom line: why not make this an anime? It would have looked cooler and could have focused on the story and characters more.
Bottom line: why not make this an anime? It would have looked cooler and could have focused on the story and characters more.
Amazing
azliharistan24 November 2021
They are right you know.
onze-kris11 December 2021
It is better than the first.
Perhaps the character has grown on you.
Certainly the humor that was more miss than hit in the first time has made a big improvement.
Again a grave matter might have required a bit more closure. But somehow this was better communicated near the ending.
The reason why I rate this so high. Is because I enjoyed my watch of it.
Sure there are some issues but this is neat package.
Oh and I called the first one a guilty pleasure. This is to the level that it is not guilty anymore.
Perhaps the character has grown on you.
Certainly the humor that was more miss than hit in the first time has made a big improvement.
Again a grave matter might have required a bit more closure. But somehow this was better communicated near the ending.
The reason why I rate this so high. Is because I enjoyed my watch of it.
Sure there are some issues but this is neat package.
Oh and I called the first one a guilty pleasure. This is to the level that it is not guilty anymore.
Worth your time..
privatelyed17 November 2021
Not so fond of reading subtitles, but this one earned my time to do just that. Fun flick with a bit of romance, comedy, and some killing here and there..and best of all, our hero doesn't even look the part. Really enjoyed it//
Decent storyline, too much quirkiness
adrianrr1819 April 2022
Perhaps this is based on how normal Japanese people behave or I just don't get Japanese humor. There is too much randomness and quirkiness in the first half of the movie. Fortunately the other reviews on IMDB made me stick to the second half. The story doesn't really improve although there is one great payoff and SUPERB action sequences. The stunt work is among the best in the world.
Solid action movie with an entertaining story
mbtoloczko28 May 2022
The choreography and stuntwork for the action scenes are excellent and far better than what I was expecting for a Japanese movie. It rivals any other movie. The story and the mannerisms of the actors are uniquely Japanese, so don't expect it to be a Hollywood movie. It is a very entertaining story and the acting is fine, again better than most stuff coming out of Hollywood these days. Some scenes are very bloody, but that's typical of Japanese movies. Don't overthink it.
The action,comedy,drama pack at its best in this movie series.
argiriosstathis3 October 2022
The action,comedy,drama pack at its best in this movie series. I had my hopes down because japanese are not famed for their movies but it is really a refreshing add to the action genre.
The characters are unique but i found it to be very easy for me to sympathise even with the side characters,that is not a very common thing to happen with ur mainstream action movie.
The plot is pretty straightforward but its pretty expected from an action movie so i didnt find that to be a drawback.
Scenario is smart and entertaining Music hits the points Acting is top And the action scenes were directed perfectly.
The characters are unique but i found it to be very easy for me to sympathise even with the side characters,that is not a very common thing to happen with ur mainstream action movie.
The plot is pretty straightforward but its pretty expected from an action movie so i didnt find that to be a drawback.
Scenario is smart and entertaining Music hits the points Acting is top And the action scenes were directed perfectly.
The action scenes were way better than what I was expecting
ehakram24 October 2022
I loved the most:
The scenario not that good in my opinion, a bit confusing, but not to the point of making the movie uninteresting. Maybe it was just me not being focused enough, I have to watch it again to see if I maintain this criticism or not.
- the action scenes, the best I have scene in a Japanese movie, and one of the best I have seen period. The main action scene reminded me a bit of The Raid, an excellent movie by the way
- the comedy, but I have to say that I am used to Japanese humor, and I like it
- some characters, especially the bad guy that makes you really hate him, and the boss that is really funny
The scenario not that good in my opinion, a bit confusing, but not to the point of making the movie uninteresting. Maybe it was just me not being focused enough, I have to watch it again to see if I maintain this criticism or not.
Unrealistic action scenes
almyu10 October 2023
This is a badly written movie but kill or be killed is what I don't see here and that is unrealistic. The main character will let someone who attempted to kill him escape. The enemies walk close to the main character to kill but are holding guns. It is realistic that the Japanese who don't have firearms are bad at shooting but walking closer to the target doesn't make killing faster. It takes heavy inspiration from John Wick close range gun kata action but with no killing from the main character. Every character has a weaker emotional reasoning for how they operate that is very overexaggerated and unrealistic. Do not watch this movie or waste your time. I wouldn't waste my time again on this. The ending makes no sense. I'm surprised this exists.
Became a fan after the first movie!
Stew_2913 February 2023
Like most reviewers mentioned, a sequel that lives up or is even better then the first movie.
The first scene is again a bit over the top but after that things slow down a bit until the final action scene on the scaffolding.
The action, fight choreography and stuntwork in this movie are of the best quality. No cheap cgi tricks but real humans jumping from buildings.
I don't think there could be a better actor for playing the part of The Fable. This guy shows absolutely no emotion whatsoever... and that's a good thing!!!
The only negative thing i can come up with is that I haven't heard of a part 3, i would watch the third one in theatre, no doubt about it!!
The first scene is again a bit over the top but after that things slow down a bit until the final action scene on the scaffolding.
The action, fight choreography and stuntwork in this movie are of the best quality. No cheap cgi tricks but real humans jumping from buildings.
I don't think there could be a better actor for playing the part of The Fable. This guy shows absolutely no emotion whatsoever... and that's a good thing!!!
The only negative thing i can come up with is that I haven't heard of a part 3, i would watch the third one in theatre, no doubt about it!!
An enjoyable action sequel
Tweekums8 October 2022
These comments assume viewers will have seen the 2019 film 'The Fable' so won't need any introduction to characters we first saw in that film. I'd definitely recommend watching that first or this may be rather confusing.
This sequel opens with a prologue set four years before the main action. In it Fable has been ordered to six criminals; he dispatches five before the job is cancelled. While dealing with the fifth an innocent girl is accidentally injured. In the present Fable and his partner are still living in Osaka and he still isn't allowed to kill anybody. Things seem to be going well enough for him but that can't last; the 'sixth man' has been looking for Fable and he wants revenge.
I thought this film was really good; if anything it is a little better than the first. It starts well with an exciting opening. Things progress nicely with some nice scenes with Fable meeting the injured girl, who is now in a wheelchair, as he encourages her attempts to walk again. As before we get a fair amount of humour; I thought it worked better this time; perhaps I'd just got used to the more idiosyncratic elements. There is a good amount of well-choreographed action; this includes some fairly amazing stunt work. The cast does a fine job. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody who enjoyed 'The Fable'.
These comments are based on watching the Film in Japanese with English subtitles.
This sequel opens with a prologue set four years before the main action. In it Fable has been ordered to six criminals; he dispatches five before the job is cancelled. While dealing with the fifth an innocent girl is accidentally injured. In the present Fable and his partner are still living in Osaka and he still isn't allowed to kill anybody. Things seem to be going well enough for him but that can't last; the 'sixth man' has been looking for Fable and he wants revenge.
I thought this film was really good; if anything it is a little better than the first. It starts well with an exciting opening. Things progress nicely with some nice scenes with Fable meeting the injured girl, who is now in a wheelchair, as he encourages her attempts to walk again. As before we get a fair amount of humour; I thought it worked better this time; perhaps I'd just got used to the more idiosyncratic elements. There is a good amount of well-choreographed action; this includes some fairly amazing stunt work. The cast does a fine job. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody who enjoyed 'The Fable'.
These comments are based on watching the Film in Japanese with English subtitles.
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