The psychological drama dovetails with more details of Yan's story, revisiting his therapy sessions with Dr. Lee, played by pop star Kelly Chen (
The film returns to the sleek visual style of the first movie, accentuating a sense of post-industrial Hong Kong in the decor of the police headquarters. But with the introduction of a few Mandarin speaking Chinese characters, as well as references to Taiwanese repatriates and arms dealers, this epic also suggests the growth of a greater China.
A huge window in Yeung's executive office looks out on Victoria Harbor, its view limited to ships and cranes without showing Hong Kong's recognizable skyline.
And so when a Chinese freighter slowly creeps by in the background, coincidently at a crucial climactic moment, we might think we are in Shanghai's Pudong district or the Pearl River Delta. Gone are those good old days from Part II of a freewheeling, colorful Hong Kong.
After all, as Shen tells a
recession-weary Sam flirting with the Chinese market, a Hong Kong gangster will never outlive a Chinese businessman.



