Producer: Paco Wong

‘Dragon Loaded 2’ is so full of eccentrics and typical Hong Kong stereotypes that Cheng’s brand of humour has very little to play off.

There are some genuinely witty moments in there and they prove the perfect covering for the many more that end with a whimper.

Not a complete disaster but by no means the showcase that Wu Jing was no doubt hoping it would be.

The third instalment in the ‘SPL’ franchise sees original director Wilson Yip return for another dark crime tale that doesn’t skimp on the nihilism or the hard edged fight action.

Hong Kong has always spliced genres together with aplomb, but this is an example of where things go wrong.

Sticking with ‘SPL 2’ makes for an overall rewarding experience as director Soi Cheang takes the viewer on a wild, thrilling and at times incredibly dark ride.