DICK STEEL Director Cho Jin-gyu of the original action-comedy My Wife is a Gangster returns to direct this sequel. However, without the return of the titular Wife Cha Eun-jin (Shin Eun-Kyung), this movie is nothing more than just a namesake, but there's no stopping the linkage with the box office success of the earlier movies. The new Wife here (though she's actually a guest rather than a Wife) is none other than sultry looking Shu Qi, who plays Aryong, the daughter of a triad leader (what else) in Hong Kong, starring Ti Lung in a supporting role.There are some bits shot in Hong Kong, and in the Cantonese language, which is all fine and dandy (given it's rare here to hear complete Cantonese dialogue in movies no thanks to the Speak Mandarin campaign), but what was bad in these scenes were the plenty of subtitles - in English, Mandarin and Korean, which cover almost 50% of the screen. As the story goes, Aryong offends some gangsters in her homeland, and in a bid to ensure her safety, her father gets her packing overseas to take cover from the impending gangland war. She gets packed to where else, Korea (it's a Korean production after all), and becomes a guest to some Korean mafiaso, with Ki-Chul (Lee Beom-su) and his posse being the hosts and guardians of Aryong. But with the bumbling inept fools, you're quite certain who's the protector, and who's in need of protection here.It's a fairly average movie with the usual lost in translation jokes, the clashing of cultures and of course, societal norms in a male dominated society. Mistaken intentions and deliberate translation errors to pursue individual character ends are the staple here, and some of them are genuinely funny, but like the adage, too much of a good thing cheapens it, especially when it continues to milk and replay scenes, such as over the dining table. You can see most of the jokes coming your way, and it depended very much on the actors' skill in delivery - that exaggerated body language, or that wide-eyed stare of disbelief and suspicion.The action sequences are nothing much to wow about, especially with Shu Qi's superwoman Aryong character, who's almost only the character here who can fight. Given the number of goons thrown at her, you can't help but feel that many action scenes remind you of The Bride in Kill Bill, as she dispatches henchmen with so much ease, she rarely breaks into a sweat. And most times, with that deliberate long hair obscuring her face, you can bet your last dollar it's a stuntman taking over that lithe frame.Some cheap shots were incorporated into the storyline, playing to Shu Qi's ex-vamp, slutty image of yesteryears. Guess you can't help it when you have some notoriety in your history, and scenes of boob grabs and woman-on-top staircase-induced gyrating scenes were in the movie quite unnecessarily, if nothing more for some juvenile laughs.But all said, it's still a tad enjoyable, especially when you can't get tickets into the other blockbuster movies like Transformers and Die Hard 4.0 currently showing. Sometimes, movies like this when released at the same time of the expected sold-out movies, makes its cash by being the catch-all net from the expected overflow.

sendoh15 I loved this film even though im not familiar with the first two. I had no idea of what was in store before watching this, except that the title itself projects a sense of violence. I love gangster movies and after seeing this i even loved it more. It's different than the average gangster genre given that it has quite a lot of comedy interplay with the story. The actors aren't familiar to me except Qi shu which portrayed the role in a hardcore tough yet so fine and sexy way.The comedy was very funny at times see for yourself. I liked the car chase scene it's something new, fresh, comic and a very sensual idea(you'll understand when you see it). It's cool to see interesting movies once in a while and this one is certainly the one you can't miss. Truly entertaining, overall funny, cool action scenes and a bit of that comic romance. Watch it, its worthwhile.

hellbent_64 When I watched this movie, I expected a continuation from the 2nd movie, not having previously read that Eun-Kyung Shin was either pregnant or replaced. As the other commenter noted, this film was/may have been been bought out by Miramax. This movie was good, but I expected the story to connect to the 2nd at some point, and left me puzzled. After an hour and a half, I realized that something was wrong. No Eun-Kyung Shin, no Zhang Ziyi. This movie could have been named something else entirely. Instead it is a totally different movie loosely based on gangsters, a strong female lead that can kick butt, and a goofy guy. I gave it a 6/10.

raymond-lanier The first comment is just one opinion. Now I'm giving you another. Miramax didn't buy the rights to the movie series for nothing! Jopog manura 1 & 2 were excellent! I was very disappointed to find out that Eun-Kyung Shin was no longer in the lead role. To put Qi Shu as the lead "Americanized" the film. Qi Shu was good in "So Close" but in this role where she's filling the shoes of a very strong actress. She just doesn't cut it. In my opinion, she's not that great. When you have a winning formula why change it? The movie execs should have done everything they could to keep Eun-Kyung Shin in this movie. Sissors and all! If you can, pick up Jopog manura 1 and 2 to enjoy yourself!