2002 (2001)

2002 Aspect ratio: 1.85:1Sound format: Dolby DigitalA psychic cop (Nicholas Tse) who battles wayward ghosts for the Hong Kong police department is teamed with an eager rookie (Stephen Fung) destined to die and become his ghostly helper. But their plans are thwarted by a vengeful water spirit (Alex Fong), who emerges from the Other Side to destroy them both...Long on spectacle and short on plot, Wilson Yip's half-hearted blockbuster contains a typical mixture of awkward comedy and heart-rending melodrama, assembled in piecemeal fashion by no less than four credited screenwriters (Vincent Kok, Gwok Ji-kin, Szeto Yam-kuen and Yip himself)! Fate and Destiny play an important role in the patchwork narrative, though such philosophical musings are quickly submerged beneath a tide of CGI effects and wire-fu combat sequences (choreographed by Poon Kin-gwan), including a remarkable fight between Tse and Fong in a swimming pool which rings the changes on an old formula, in no uncertain terms.However, the film exists primarily as a vehicle for its leading men, both of whom are rendered beautiful by Poon Hang-sang's flattering camera-work and Stephen Tsang's 'Matrix'-style costumes, co-designed by Stephanie Wong. As with so many HK movies of this type, Tse and Fung are given a couple of lacklustre romantic interests (Danielle Graham and Rain Li), but Yip focuses primarily on the intense relationship between the film's male protagonists, and their mutual affection is invested with a fair degree of homoerotic pathos. Sam Lee and industry veteran Law Kar-ying are featured in supporting roles, while Yip himself cameos as a doctor.(Cantonese dialogue)

Caution! this review may contain spoilers!2002, or as it can be named, "Ghostbusters with martial arts" is possibly one of the most entertaining and enjoyable movies I have ever seen. the fight scenes were amazingly stylised and choreagraphed, and the story...the basic plot is that of the spcial department in the hong-kong police, code named 2002. supplied with special equipment, such as vision drops (Ghosts become visible for five minutes) and the ghostbuster gun, which coats the bullet in the shooter's own blood.The department, initially, consists of a man-ghost partnership (with Sam Lee fulfilling his irritating sidekick quota.) but after the ghost in the partnership is reincarnated (with an amazingly surreal sequence of Sam swimming down the birth canal, surrounded by sperm.) Tide (nick Tse) is left to find a new partner.supposedly, all the partners in 2002 are pre-ordained by fate, and when Tide meets heis new partner, Fung, events start to click into place. however, the emotions of real-life are starting to intrude on Tides life, and before long, he's starting to want more than just ghosthunting.that about sums it up without TOO much spoiling. I actually found this movie to be immensely emotional, with the romantic stories taking far greater precedence over the action for the middle part of the movie. the whole film focused more on the human element than that of simple eye-candy.when the fighting did start, however, it started with a BANG. blows are exchanged at ligtening speed, making movies like the Matrix seem to be PERMANENTLY in slow motion!Forget the Matrix. come and see a REAL martial arts movie.

2002 is the ghostbusting department of the Hong Kong Police. The hero is fated to cause the death of anyone he gets close to, which cramps his love-life somewhat. He gets through partners rather quickly too, since they die, become super-powered ghost partners and then get re-incarnated. His mentor sells paper offerings for the hero to burn for their ghost friends.The script is always intelligent and witty. The action sequences are just right - they move the plot along without dominating it and are great fun. The acting and directing are both excellent and the main characters are likeable and sexy - strong, but vulnerable.We laughed out-loud, especially at the comments that brought the characters down to earth. We didn't actually cry at the pathos but it was there.This review relates to the English subtitled version shown on TV.

Ok, while it isn't as good as Ghostbusters, it was a very entertaining picture. The ideas of reincarnation and the afterlife were really cool to see, particularly Sam Lee's character being reborn. The martial arts were decent but it was painfully obvious that both Nicholas Tse and Stephen Fung aren't the best fighters if at all. It really didn't matter because the action was cut well and the fights seemed to be innovative, especially the pool fight. With top notch special effects, action, and some comedy, 2002 is a pretty good movie that may have gone under some people's radar. It's something that people should definitely check out.