The Last Blood (1991)

HARDBOILED 2: THE LAST BLOOD isn't actually a sequel to the John Woo movie - it came out two years BEFORE that film. However, it is heavily indebted to the director's THE KILLER, and the hospital set-piece climax may actually have influenced the Woo movie in turn. What is a surprise is that THE LAST BLOOD turns out to be a great addition to the 'heroic bloodshed' genre in itself, featuring fast-paced comedy, lots of snappy dialogue and jokes, and some relentless, high-octane action set-pieces.The villains in the film are simple: a Japanese 'red army' faction, determined to kill a holy man visiting Singapore. The heroes are a mixed bunch, including desperate Triad Andy Lau, whose girlfriend needs a blood transfusion; comic relief Eric Tsang, a blood donor; veteran cop Beardy; plus straight man Alan Tam. The narrative is full of chases, assassination attempts, bloody shoot-outs, and murder, and it never pauses for a second, offering exceptional entertainment value from beginning to end. It might well be Wong Jing's best film...

Last Blood (1990) was a funny flick by Wong Jing. The Daka Lama is severely wounded while making a goodwill trip to Singapore. A triad's girlfriend is also wounded when a group of Japanese Assassins try to kill the Lama. The two share a rare blood type and only five people in Singapore have it. But three are dead and one is on holiday. The fate of Asia lies in the body of Fatty who's being chased by two cops, the vacationing triad and a horde of terrorists. The film winds up in a crackerjack finale. Wong Jing throws in everything including the kitchen sink in this low budgeted action film.One scene to watch for is the man in a wheelchair during the Hospital invasion. It's a real hoot. Film stars Alan Tam, Andy Lau and Eric Tsang who's also the Producer. Wong Jing is a hired gun on the film but he brings his usual stamp on to the screen. Blackie Ko is the Action Director. This is sometimes called Hardboiled 2, but this came out almost two years before that one and is just as entertaining. Highly recommended.

Like in every HK action franchise you can never know whether movies are actually connected.As I reckon this movie`s only tie to famed `Hard Boiled` is the title given by money-lovin` producers. Anyway,two ideas keep Woo`s movie connected with this feature.First of all,main characters are a detective and the `golden hearted` mobster.Second similarity is that plots and final showdowns of both movies have something to do with hospitals. Each movie contains energetic and rampaging shootouts. While Woo`s original had all main landmarks of his opus (Scorsesian and Melivillian influence),the sequel shows that it was made by eminent HK director Wong Jing.His landmarks are `Looney Tunes` pacing,speeded up action and plotting derived from 1980s Hollywood action fare.The difference is quite obvious. This movie works remarkably well and it doesn`t disgrace the `Hard Boiled` franchise.Of course it works well on its own since Woo`s and Wong Jing`s styles are barely comparable. If you overrule the input of dumb HK comedy `Hard Boiled 2` is highly enjoyable.Wong Jing provides us with enough razzle-dazzle that makes this movie a must not just for HK action afficionados but even for weekend fans of the genre that look for recognizable HK fare.If you like high-calibre gunplay,high bodycounts and Eastern Heroes this feature may scratch your itches. Interesting aspect of the movie is its explicit anti-communist orientation because characters joke a lot with the Red China.

This one is no sequel, since it was shot a year before John Woo's breath-taking "tour de force", it just ends in an hospital ; but believe your Phaithful Phrog, it's one of Hong Kong's best, with all the incredible action and beautiful ideas you expect from them - but one or two notches better. The plot's idea - trying to fond a blood donor against a bunch of terrorists - is simple but well-heeded and gives out some brains as well. This ain't got the brains of a Tsui Hark movies or the guts of John Woo, but comes very, very close.