Shock Wave 2

Shock Wave 2 is a 2020 Hong Kong-Chinese action film written and directed by Herman Yau, produced by and starring Andy Lau. The film is a standalone sequel in-title-only to the 2017 film, Shock Wave, featuring a new storyline and characters. In the film, Lau plays a former bomb disposal officer who falls into a coma in an explosion and becomes a top suspect of a terrorist attack. After being apprehended, he escapes from custody as a fugitive to prove his innocence.

Shock Wave 2
Film poster
Traditional拆彈專家2
Simplified拆弹专家2
MandarinChāi Dàn Zhuān Jiā Èr
CantoneseCaak3 Daan2 Zyun1 Gaa1 Ji6
Directed byHerman Yau
Produced by
  • Andy Lau
  • Alvin Lam
  • Esther Koo
  • Calvin Choi
Written by
  • Herman Yau
  • Erica Lee
  • Eric Lee
Starring
Music byMak Chun Hung
CinematographyJoe Chan
Edited byAzrael Chung
Production
company
  • Universe Entertainment
  • Focus Films
  • Infinitus Entertainment
  • Alibaba Pictures
  • Yingming Culture Communication
  • Universe Matrix Century Films Distribution (Beijing) Company
  • AMTD Digital Media
  • Universe Films Distribution
Distributed by
  • Universe Films Distribution (Hong Kong, Worldwide)
  • Gala Film Distribution (Hong Kong)
Release date
  • 24 December 2020 (2020-12-24)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryHong Kong
China
LanguageCantonese
BudgetUS$40 million
Box officeUS$205.32 million[1][2]

The film was first announced on 15 March 2018.[3][4] Production for Shock Wave 2 began in February 2019 and wrapped up on 8 May 2019. The film was originally set for theatrical release in July 2020, but was later pushed back to 24 December 2020.[5][6]

Plot

A series of bomb explosions have been occurring in Hong Kong, causing fear amongst the public. Former bomb disposal officer Poon Sing-fung (Andy Lau) fell into a coma at a crime scene injured in an explosion and becomes top wanted criminal after the police suspects of his ties with the criminal organisation, Vendetta (復生會). After waking up from his coma, Poon was arrested and interrogated. Poon escapes from custody in order to investigate the truth and prove his innocence. On his lonely and helpless road, Poon enlists the help of his comrade in arms, bomb disposal officer Tung Cheuk-man (Sean Lau). However, the two fall into a conflict of black and white as Tung must choose between justice and friendship. Tung decides to choose the latter and assists his friend. At the same time, Poon's ex-girlfriend, Pong Ling (Ni Ni), who is now the chief inspector of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, desperate to discover the culprit behind the series of explosions, persuades Poon to come in contact with Vendetta to find out this mysterious organisation's next terrorist move and prove his innocence. Poon realises that exposing the truth is just as challenging as disposing explosives, risking his life as he races against time.

Cast
  • Andy Lau as Poon Sing-fung (潘乘風), a former Bomb Disposal Officer of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Bureau (EOD) who becomes a top suspect of a terrorist attack after falling unconscious from an explosion.
  • Sean Lau as Tung Cheuk-man (董卓文), a Bomb Disposal Officer of the EOD and Poon's comrade in arms who assists his friend to prove the latter's innocence.
  • Ni Ni as Pong Ling (龐玲), Poon's ex-girlfriend who is the chief inspector of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU).
  • Tse Kwan-ho as Ma Sai-kwan (馬世軍), the leader of Vendetta (復生會) and Poon's former high schoolmate.
  • Philip Keung as Lee Yiu-sing (李耀昇), chief inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who has a hot-tempered and impetuous personality.
  • Ron Ng as Lun Ting-pong (倫定邦), an Assistant Bomb Disposal Officer to Tung.
  • Marc Ma as Rhinoceros (犀牛), a member of Vendetta.
  • Kenny Wong as Chan King-to (陳景圖), an Assistant Bomb Disposal Officer of EOD.
  • Timothy Cheng as Officer Chan (陳Sir), Deputy Commissioner of Police.
  • Timmy Hung as King, senior inspector of CTRU who is Pong's subordinate.
  • Ben Yuen as Chin Ka-on (錢家安), a member of Vendetta.
  • Wilfred Lau as Sze-to Wai (司徒偉), a member of Vendetta.
  • Ling Man-lung
  • Raymond Chiu as Fat Sze (肥司), an Assistant Bomb Disposal Officer of EOD.
  • Babyjohn Choi as Cheung Chi-man (張志文), a doctorate graduate.
  • Jerome Cheung as Stephen, a CID inspector who is Lee's subordinate.
  • Zhang Yang as Mon, an Assistant Bomb Disposal Officer of EOD.

Theme song
  • Believe Me (相信我)
    • Singer: Andy Lau, Ni Ni
    • Composer/Arranger: Jacky Cai
    • Lyricist: Andy Lau
    • Producer: Jacky Chan

Production

Development

During a celebration event for the box office success of Shock Wave on 4 May 2017, producer and star Andy Lau unofficially announces a sequel to the film will be made in response to the film's success.[7][8] On 16 March 2018, Universe Entertainment officially confirms a sequel, titled Shock Wave 2, will be made and released a teaser film poster. Lau will return as producer and star while Herman Yau will also return as director. Daneil Lam, president of Universe Entertainment, reveals that the screenplay of the sequel is currently being developed and production will commence in 2019. Yau also reveals that Shock Wave 2 will be a standalone sequel with new characters and a new story line.[9][3] A week later, the film was promoted at the 2018 Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart), which ran from 19 to 22 March 2018.[4]

Filming

On 8 March 2019 while attending as a presenter for the 25th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award ceremony, Andy Lau revealed that he had begun working on the filming of Shock Wave 2, and appearing in a new hairstyle look for his role in the film.[10] On 11 March, reporters spotted the crew filming a scene around Fa Yuen Street and Golden Fish Street in Mongkok, where director Herman Yau and cast members Ni Ni and Timmy Hung were present.[11] The film held its production commencement blessing ceremony in Kam Tin, Yuen Long on 28 March. The ceremony was attended by director Herman Yau along with cast members Lau, Sean Lau, Ni, Philip Keung, Tse Kwan-ho, Ron Ng, Hung, Kenny Wong, Jerome Cheung and Zhang Yang.[12]

On 30 March, filming of a car explosion scene took place in Temple Street where cast members Andy Lau, Sean Lau, Keung, Ng and Wong were present. Real firefighters and paramedics were employed for the filming of this scene instead of using extra actors[13][14] On 27 April, filming of a major explosion scene involving Lau dropping a grenade into a sandbag defence place in East Tsim Sha Tsui. A number of police cars, ambulances and an EOD vehicle were used in the scene along with over 50 extra actors.[15] Production for Shock Wave 2 officially wrapped up on 8 May 2019, where a wrap up ceremony was held on the same day at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui attended by the cast and crew.[16]

Release

Shock Wave 2 was originally set for release in July 2020,[5] but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pushed back to 24 December 2020. However, due to cinema closures from 2 December 2020 to 17 February 2021 amid the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, the film's release in Hong Kong was postponed again until cinemas reopen.[17] The film retained its 24 December release date for China, where it is playing in IMAX theatres,[18] Singapore[19] and Western countries such as North America, Australia and New Zealand.

Reception

Box office

As of 31 January 2021, Shock Wave 2 has grossed US$205.32 million worldwide, combining its box office gross from China (US$202 million), Taiwan (US$2.94 million), Australia (US$307,345) and New Zealand (US$76,175).[1][2] The film debuted No. 1 at the global box office, grossing US$63.9 million on its opening weekend worldwide.[2][20]

China

In China, the film grossed US$63.2 million after consecutively topping the daily box office during its four days of release, including US$4.4 million from IMAX screens, debuting at No. 1 on its opening weekend.[20][21] During its second weekend, the film grossed US$67.1 million, coming in at No. 3, accumulating a total gross of US$137.1 million by then.[22] On its third weekend, the film grossed US$24 million and remained at No. 3, having grossed a total of US$161.2 million by then.[23] During its fourth weekend, the film grossed US$15.7 million, moving up to No. 2 and have grossed a total of US$176.9 million by then.[24] On its fifth weekend, the film grossed US$12.9 million, remaining at No. 2, and have grossed a total of US$189.9 million by then.[25] }}</ref> On its sixth weekend, the film grossed US$12.1 million, remaining at No. 2 for three consecutive weeks, and have grossed a total of US$202 million so far.[1]

Taiwan

Opening on 31 December 2020 in Taiwan, the film grossed NT$27.88 million (US$970,000) during its first four days of release, debuting at No. 3 on its opening weekend and is the highest-grossing new release during the New Year's Day holiday period.[26][27] During its second weekend, the film grossed NT$23.07 million, moving up to No. 2, and have accumulated a total gross of NT$50.95 million (US$1.79 million) by then.[28] On its third weekend, the film grossed NT$16.51 million, coming in at No. 3 and have grossed a total of NT$67.1 million (US$2.35 million) by then.[29] During its fourth weekend, the film grossed NT$10.56 million, coming in at No. 4, and have grossed a total of NT$77.66 million (US$2.73 million) by then.[30] On its fifth weekend, the film grossed NT$5.88 million, ranking at No. 7, and have accumulated a total gross of NT$83.54 million (US$2.94 million) so far.[31]

Critical response

Jeanmarie Tan of The New Paper gave the film a score of 4/5 and praises Andy Lau's physical prowess and multi-layer performance.[32] Tay Yek-keak of Today gave the film a score of 3.5/5, praising it as larger, more fast-paced and entertaining than its predecessor.[33] Lim Yian-lu of Yahoo! Singapore gave the film a score of 3/5 stars, describing it as less thrilling than its predecessor.[34] Anna Smith of Deadline Hollywood gives praises to the film's action set pieces and visual effects.[35]

See also

References
  1. "China Weekly Box Office (01/25/2021 - 01/31/2021)".
  2. "Shock Wave 2 (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  3. "HK actor Andy Lau back in top form". Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  4. "Filmart: Universe whips up sequels to 'The White Storm', 'Shock Wave' (exclusive)".
  5. "SHOCK WAVE 2: Andy Lau is Back in the Teaser for the Sequel to China's Explosive Box Office Hit!".
  6. "Filmart: Universe Sells 'The White Storm 2' to Multiple Territories (Exclusive)".
  7. "Andy Lau happy with "Shock Wave" box office success".
  8. "Andy Lau Decides to Make "Shock Wave 2"".
  9. "【連串計劃】寰宇宣佈開拍《掃毒2》《拆彈2》劉德華新姿態登場".
  10. "【電影評論學會大獎】劉德華讚秋生命中率高 下年誓入圍爭獎" (in Chinese).
  11. "【陳偉霆翻版】街坊唔識倪妮猛問係邊個 但又想埋身影相" (in Chinese).
  12. "《拆彈專家2》正式開鏡 劉德華劉青雲再鬥演技！相隔17年再合作-" (in Chinese).
  13. "【逾百人圍觀】劉德華廟街拍戲惹混亂 中女粉絲出怪招影相" (in Chinese).
  14. "廟街汽車爆炸　姜皓文企隔籬食正彈落地" (in Chinese).
  15. "《拆彈專家2》尖東鬧巿驚現爆炸 劉德華「瞓身」拆彈".
  16. "17年後再合作 劉德華劉青雲拍《拆彈2》勁開心".
  17. "【娛樂事業慘】戲院停業影響大？華納媒體撤出香港分公司員工悉數被炒".
  18. "SHOCK WAVE 2 TO BE RELEASED IN IMAX® THEATERS ACROSS CHINA STARTING DEC 24TH WITH IMAX EXCLUSIVE POSTER RELEASED TODAY".
  19. "Movie Details - Shock Wave 2 拆弹专家 2 * - Golden Village".
  20. Tartaglione, Nancy (December 28, 2020). "'Wonder Woman 1984' Rises To $85M Global; 'Demon Slayer' Becomes Japan's Highest-Grossing Movie Ever; 'Soul' Grows In China & 'Croods 2' Nears $100M WW – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  21. "China Weekly Box Office (12/21 - 12/27/2020)".
  22. "China Weekly Box Office (12/28/2020 - 01/03/2021)".
  23. "China Weekly Box Office (01/04/2021 - 01/10/2021)".
  24. "China Weekly Box Office (01/11/2021 - 01/17/2021)".
  25. "China Weekly Box Office (01/18/2021 - 01/24/2021)".
  26. "台北週末◆票房收入:2021年 第 01 週01-01~01-03".
  27. "劉德華《拆彈專家2》4天吸金2500萬！跨年新片票房冠軍".
  28. "台北週末◆票房收入:2021年 第 02 週01-08~01-10".
  29. "台北週末◆票房收入:2021年 第 03 週01-15~01-17".
  30. "台北週末◆票房收入:2021年 第 04 週01-22~01-24".
  31. "台北週末◆票房收入:2021年 第 05 週01-29~01-31".
  32. "Movie review: Shock Wave 2 - The New Paper".
  33. "Shock Wave 2 Review: Andy Lau Returns To Defuse Bombs In Preposterous, Explosive Action Thriller".
  34. "REVIEW: Shock Wave sequel not as thrilling as the first movie".
  35. "Int'l Critics Line: Anna Smith On Andy Lau Action Pic 'Shock Wave 2'".
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