The plot of today's most topical film in China is reported to be inspired by the true events of China's efforts to evacuate nationals and foreign citizens from conflict-ridden countries such as Yemen and Libya. Fueled with blazing guns, explosions, and tanks, it tells a story of China's deadliest special forces operative Leng Feng leaving his newfound peace behind and reaffirming his duties as a soldier and protector, to save lives from an African warzone.
said the movie is "basically the plot of your typical Hollywood action movie, but this time it's a Chinese man upholding justice and keeping the world safe. "
Directed and starred by Kung Fu actor Wu Jing, the sequel to the 2015 blockbuster was a huge commercial success that and breaks China's previous highest box office record held by Stephen Chow's "The Mermaid",which in total grossed 3.39 billion yuan during the Spring Festival of 2016.
Comparing with the box office triumph, overwhelmingly positive reviews among patriotic Chinese audience on social media give this contemporary war movie more significant meaning in today's geopolitical setting, with hard-core tagline "anyone who offends China will be killed no matter how far the target is."
According to , in previous interviews with mainland media, Wu explained its success by saying: “Patriotism has been hidden inside the audience for a long time, and this sentiment needs to be released via a film and a role.”
One comment on Chinese social media Weibo describes how emotional she was seeing the scene of the heroic character Leng Feng carrying Chinese flag across the war zone, "I was shivered and wept in the last half an hour in the cinema ".
Wu Jing, leading actor in Wolf Warrior 2 Source: Wolf Warrior 2 poster
Another one said "looking around the world of endless wars, I start to understand how important to have a strong nation. So proud that I want to salute to my motherland".
The film has been frequently praised by Chinese state media such as People's Daily and Xinhua Agency. Exploring why Wolf Warrior 2 is phenomenal, a commentary article published by People's Daily's said :" Motherland is the key word of the film...Singing for motherland and hailing for heroes are forever theme for artistic creations and the most moving chapter."
English-language state media that Zhang Miao, the general manager of Beijing Culture Media Company and the producer of "Wolf Warrior 2", said in an exclusive interview that this is "a triumph of the Chinese dream for building a strong nation, and a triumph of the current spirit of the time."
But the movie does not win everyone's heart in China.
" 'Anyone who offends China will be killed no matter how far the target is' - do we have to kill?- " in response to the widely circulated tagline, one commenter wrote on Douban's movie forum, where people can rate and comment on movies.
Another Douban user wrote: "We used to laugh at personal heroism, but binding all-powerful superheroes with patriotism is even worse."
While Wolf Warrior 2 is now showing at some of local cinemas in Australia's capital cities, Australian Chinese have expressed mixed reviews via social media.
Chinese Scholar Jen labelled the movie "patriotic kung fu commercial" that could brainwash "people never been outside China".
Chinese student in Melbourne Molly thinks "the fighting scene is arousing", but describes her feeling toward the movie as "complicated". She is disappointed about China's latest tighten up internet censorship, but also "feel China is indeed a backup for overseas student".
