The Pang Brothers have tried their hand at most genres in their time. With Storm Warrirors they create some sort of fantasy/comic based martial arts epic, but I had almost no clue what was happening the entire time and the whole thing feels like a bloated mess.
Fair enough, this is actually sequel – something I didn’t realise when I first watched. That would go some way to explaining why I didn’t really know what the balls was going on half the time, but I suspect that even if I had seen the first movie – Storm Riders – I still wouldn’t have been able to follow everything. I can’t possibly describe the plot, except to say there is some sort of vicious Martial Arts Warlord who wants to rule the world. He tries to recruit other famed fighters – either join him or die. Most die, but a few plot to bring him down while facing inner struggles and squabbles within their group. The warriors all have names like ‘Cloud’, ‘Nameless’, ‘Wind’, ‘Earth’, ‘Sky’, and they each have their own skills, but none really stand out from any other. There are a bunch of fights and montages and lots of talking and staring and sitting and then it ends.
It’s rather odd that a talented directing duo and a pretty good cast could create something so crappy. Some of the fights are well done, but it’s all ultra stylized rather than focusing on the athleticism of the performers. There are some good effects, but nothing you won’t have seen in other productions. I’d recommend watching the first film first, obviously, and if you are a fan of the Pang Brothers you’ll want to see this eventually but keep your expectations low.
Let us know in the comments if you thought I was too harsh and if you enjoyed The Storm Warriors!
The Spac Hole 