God of Gamblers II

The God of Gamblers is nowhere about and his student is standing in. Michael Chan has taken over the work; he carries the god's name and has to look after himself as well. Then an odd man turns up: Sing lives on the streets, has powers, and can move cards without touching them. He calls himself the Saint of Gamblers. The two meet, clash, and then find themselves on the same side. Facing them is an organisation using the gambling table for its own work. The outcome will again be settled at a big table. Wong Jing writes and directs. Andy Lau plays Michael Chan and Stephen Chow plays Sing. It is a Hong Kong production. The film follows the 1989 God of Gamblers; Chow Yun-fat is not in this one and the series shifts to Stephen Chow's character. Stephen Chow's mo lei tau comedy is at the centre; the narrative keeps breaking its own rules. It mixes the gambling film with comedy and the changes of genre happen within a scene. The film did well at the Hong Kong box office and the series continued. There is a layer of parody inside it; other Hong Kong films of the period are referenced. Its limit is structure; the narrative is scattered, the humour local, and logic never a priority. Who it is for: viewers who like Hong Kong comedy, Stephen Chow and gambling films. Who it is not for: it is scattered, the humour is lost in translation, and the ending overblown.