Reviewed by Soh Yun-Huei

Chinese Title: Fa dou daai jin
Directors: Patrick Leung, Corey Yuen
Writing Credits: Chan Kin Chung, Lam Suet, Roy Szeto, Peter Tsi, Michelle Tsui
Cast Charlene Choi, Gillian Chung, Donnie Yen, Jaycee Chan, Edison Chen, Tony Leung Ka Fai
Genre: Horror
Country: Hong Kong
Language: Cantonese
Year Released: 2004
Rating: ½ star (out of four stars)

If you thought Twins Effect was bad (I did – the film made my Top 10 Worst list of 2003), Twins Effect 2 (2004) is arguably an even worse movie, though it boasts a bigger budget and even more stars than before. Also, even though it may seem like a sequel, the second movie bears absolutely no relation to the first, other than the fact that popular HK pop duo Twins also headlines this film. The precious son of Jackie Chan, Jaycee Chan, also stars in this one (probably the reason why Jackie Chan appears in a pointless cameo), but no amount of second-rate star power will help rescue the film from the bottom of the barrel.

In the mythical city of Huadu, a country where women lord over the men (who are treated like slaves), the Empress (Qu Ying) reigns supreme, aided by her ex-lover and now eunuch Wei Liao (Daniel Wu in a thankless role). However, a prophecy states that there will be an Emperor-to-be that will have the power to wield an ultimate sword, and to topple the Empress from her position. That person turns out to be blockhead Cai Tou (Jaycee Chan), who teams up with the Empress’ spy Blue Bird (Gillian Chung) and slave trader Spring (Charlene Choi) to try to wrest control from the evil Empress.

The premise of the story, already a ridiculous one, is made more unbearable by the lackadaisical direction by Cory Yuen and Patrick Leung. The story flits from place to place without much focus, as though the directors have decided randomly the sequence of events, and is further handicapped by some really poor "special effects" and lame dialogue (a probable victim of translation from Cantonese to Mandarin). To add insult to injury, despite Cory Yuen’s presence, the martial arts sequences are lackluster and totally do not contain the usual kinetics or balletic grace that are trademarks of Yuen’s action choreography. By the end of the film, I couldn’t be bothered if the Empress had killed the entire cast and ruled Huadu for eternity (not that it happens, of course). However, the film at least had a happy ending – I was very happy that it ended.

Final Word: The movie sucks, plain and simple.