Swordsman II (1992)
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While Swordsman (1990) is generally viewed as a decent Wuxia film on its own, Swordsman II (1992) is more memorable and critically acclaimed, partly due to the popular portrayal of Dongfang Bubai by Brigitte Lin, and also for better execution in portraying the themes of wuxia conflict. For Swordsman II, none of the cast from Swordsman (1990) returned, with the exception of Fennie Yuen who reprises her role as Lan Fenghuang.
Swordsman II (1992) An Arm and a Leg: Happens quite a few times in the film to various characters and bit-players. Armor-Piercing Response: Ren Woxing scoffed at Linghu Chong's decision to retire from Jianghu, stating that as long as humans exist, there will be enmity, and as long as there is enmity, there will be Jianghu. Proving Ren Woxing's point, Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan did nurse a personal grudge with Dongfang Bubai and willingly participated in the final showdown. Basically, Linghu Chong's dreams of retiring from Jianghu is largely a pipe dream. Ascended Extra: In the novel, Dongfang Bubai's appearance was very brief - Only fought once and get killed off by Ren Woxing. In this film, Dongfang Bubai is the main antagonist and had multiple romantic scenes with the main protagonist. This film's popular portrayal of Dongfang Bubai inspired the increased focus on Dongfang Bubai for quite a few TV adaptations of Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Attractive Bent-Gender: Dongfang Bubai castrated himself to master the skills in Sunflower Manual and became feminine over time, to the point where a mutual attraction forms between him and Linghu Chong. Ax-Crazy: Ren Woxing quickly becomes deranged and impatient for revenge after Linghu Chong freed him from prison. Big Bad: Dongfang Bubai is the main antagonist of this film and he is also the most formidable martial artist seen in the film. Bittersweet Ending: Linghu Chong finally gets to retire from the Jianghu, but at the cost of separation from his lover Ren Yingying and the death of almost all his companions, with only Yue Lingshan left as company. Bizarre Taste in Food: As a callback to the first film, Linghu Chong used scorpions to ferment his wine, claiming that it would make the wine more potent. For those who did not understand the reference - In the first film, Linghu Chong was nearly killed by poisoned wine. Composite Character: Linghu Chong in this film is actually a combination of the novel's Linghu Chong and Yang Lianting. In the novel, Yang Lianting was Dongfang Bubai's lover and key reason for Dongfang Bubai's defeat. As for the film, Yang Lianting's name only gets a mention. Dangerous Forbidden Technique: The Sunflower Manual was revealed to be this - Mastering the skills in the manual require the practitioner to be castrated. Deconstruction: This film explores the hero and villain archetype in the Wuxia context. Can Linghu Chong be considered a hero One who consistently wants to stay out of all conflicts unless he was seeking revenge Is Ren Woxing a hero or a villain Although he aims to overthrow the cruel and ruthless leader of the Sun-Moon sect, his later actions as their new leader showed that he is no better. The antagonist Dongfang Bubai believes that his actions are for the greater good of his people. Is that what a villain is Dramatic Irony: Linghu Chong encountered Dongfang Bubai early in the film, but had no idea who he really is and even mistaken him for a woman. The two even fell in love with each other over the course of the film. While the audience knew from the start what is going on, Linghu Chong only realized the awful truth in the final showdown. Enemy Mine: Initially, Linghu Chong wanted nothing to do with Ren Woxing's ambition. When Dongfang Bubai wiped out the entire Huashan Sect, which were unrelated to the conflict, Linghu Chong sought revenge for his slain companions and teamed up with Ren Woxing to kill Dongfang Bubai. Eunuchs Are Evil: The main antagonist of the film is Dongfang Bubai, who castrated himself. Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Despite his bloodthirsty ways, Ren Woxing does love his daughter Ren Yingying. For all his mental perversion after practicing the martial arts in the Sunflower Manual, Dongfang Bubai does love Shishi. And obviously, not to forget about him falling in love with Linghu Chong. Eye Scream: Just like what happened in the novel, Dongfang Bubai injured one of Ren Woxing's eyes with a needle. Facial Horror: Xiang Wentian was depicted with a disfigured face, which he often covers it up. Linghu Chong's first fight with him exposed his disfigurement to the audience for the first time. Gratuitous Ninja: At one point, Japanese Ninjas are featured, allying with Dongfang Bubai's Sun-Moon sect. Iconic Sequel Character: Dongfang Bubai finally made her debut in the second movie, where she easily takes over the leading roles all the way into the third. Jerkass Has a Point: In a rare moment of lucidity, Ren Woxing scoffed at Linghu Chong's dream of retiring from Wuxia politics, pointing out that as long as people exist there will be politics, an interesting discussion point that the original novel Smiling, Proud Wanderer never actually raised. Kick the Dog: Dongfang Bubai proved how vicious he is by slaughtering the entire Huashan Sect, who were largely not involved in the conflict, are of little physical threat to him, and had no political power left. It was their deaths that triggered Linghu Chong to get involved with the affairs of Jianghu again. Last Stand: Lan Fenghuang was clearly no match for Dongfang Bubai, so as a last resort she spat corrosive venom at Dongfang Bubai. She was killed for her efforts, but hey, at least she succeeded damaging a tiny portion of Dongfang Bubai's clothes. Lonely at the Top: Implied. Dongfang Bubai was drawn towards Linghu Chong partly because the latter doesn't know who he is and hence had no fear of him. Long Last Look: In the end, Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan were forced to leave for Japan without Ren Yingying. Martial Pacifist: Following the events of the first film, Linghu Chong really wanted to retire from the Jianghu, but circumstances often did not allow him to do so. The straw that broke the camel's back was when Huashan Sect's disciples were completely slaughtered by Dongfang Bubai, forcing him into an Enemy Mine situation with Ren Woxing. Moment of Lucidity: Ren Woxing is an Ax-Crazy character throughout much of this movie, but in the third act of the film, he momentarily allied with Linghu Chong and they had a relatively reasonable conversation about the upcoming fight. In particular, Ren Woxing rebuked Linghu Chong for the latter's dream of retiring from Jianghu (i.e.: Wuxia politics), pointing out that there will be politics as long as people are around. Moment of Weakness: Dongfang Bubai consistently had the edge over all his opponents in the final battle, despite their combined efforts. It was his love for Linghu Chong that made him held back, allowing Linghu Chong to injure him. Noble Demon: Xiang Wentian was ordered by Ren Woxing to capture Linghu Chong. Torn between his loyalty to Ren Woxing and his respect for Linghu Chong, he Took a Third Option and cut off his own arm instead, urging Linghu Chong to run away. \"Not So Different\" Remark: Linghu Chong realized that Ren Woxing, the imprisoned former leader of the Sun-Moon sect (Who he helped to free), was just as ruthless and blood-thirsty as Dongfang Bubai. One-Man Army: Dongfang Bubai. He slaughtered the entire Huashan sect members with little effort. In the final showdown, he had an edge over the combined efforts of Ren Woxing, Linghu Chong, Xiang Wentian, Ren Yingying, and Yue Lingshan, of which Ren Woxing and Linghu Chong themselves are One-Man Army too! Power Parasite: Ren Woxing's Star Sucking skill is capable of absorbing his opponent's inner energy and boosting his own. In this film, it is depicted such that his victims' body mass are often drained as well! Queer Romance: A major dramatic element in this film, which is rare or even unique for a 1990s Wuxia film. Dongfang Bubai and Linghu Chong developed a mutual attraction over the course of the film. The \"Queer\" aspect of this trope is somewhat downplayed since Linghu Chong is unaware of Dongfang Bubai's actual gender until the final showdown, and Dongfang Bubai is played by female actor Brigitte Lin. However, the audience can clearly see that the story is portraying a romantic attraction between two men. Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan postponed their retirement from Jianghu for a shot at Dongfang Bubai, because he killed all their companions. Sacrificial Lion: Lan Fenghuang and the entire Huashan sect (Excluding Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan). Star-Crossed Lovers: Linghu Chong did not get to be together with Ren Yingying after all the adventures. In the novel, he eventually married Ren Yingying after Ren Woxing's sudden death. Supernatural Martial Arts: Very much so, especially when it comes to Ren Woxing and Dongfang Bubai. Sympathy for the Devil: After revelation that Dongfang Bubai is actually a male and a final showdown, Linghu Chong tried to save a dying Dongfang Bubai, asking whether did both of them really slept together. Instead of answering, Dongfang Bubai chose a Disney Death, wanting Linghu Chong to regret never knowing the truth (Dongfang Bubai sent his concubine Shishi to sleep with Linghu Chong in-lieu of his own inability to do so). Token Evil Teammate: Among the main players opposing Dongfang Bubai, it is Ren Woxing who is the most deranged and cruel. Undying Loyalty: Dongfang Bubai's concubine Shishi. She loved her master even when he (could) no longer make love to her, \"proving\" her loyalty by sleeping with Linghu Chong upon Dongfang Bubai's request, and subsequently committed suicide by poison because her body no longer belongs to Dongfang Bubai alone. Xiang Wentian and Ren Yingying to Ren Woxing. Xiang Wentian would cut off his own arm as penance for disobeying Ren Woxing's ord