Super soldier turned crimefighter Black Mask (square jawed, impossibly cheekboned Andy On) finds himself the target of his former secret assassin sect, hunted by a fellow soldier named Lang. While trying to discover how to revert his genetically altered DNA, he crosses paths with the not-too-touchy-feely scientist Dr. Marco (Teresa Herrera- Gen X Cops 2) and a group of genetically altered wrestlers (including Tracy Lords and pro wrestlers Tyler Mane and Rob Van Dam) that are turning into vicious human/animal hybrids.

Normally, if one follows the laws of cinema, sequels usually pale to their predecessors, but with Black Mask 2 there was, at least initially, some hope. With the likes of Hong Kong innovators director Tsui Hark and action choregrapher Yuen Woo Ping working on the project, you wonder how it all went wrong. Here are the two men responsible for designing modern HK fantasy and action fx. After a creative dry spell (and VanDamme movies), Tsui Hark stoked the fires of his career with the imaginative romantic gunplay film Time and Tide. Yuen Woo Ping and his crew were fresh off of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Whether alone (Zu Warriors, Green Snake, Iron Monkey) or working together (Once Upon a Time in China), the men had solidified their reputations as innovators. In HK, they are the guys to go to if you want imaginative action. It is strange that they couldn't deliver in terms of a simple lightweight bit of fantasy action fluff but, obviously, on Black Mask 2 they weren't really trying.

The film failed to satisfy this long time HK action fan due to one thing- Americanization. While the action and concept plays out like a Japanese influenced Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers or The Guyver, it is all too clear that the film was made over-consciously with the American market in mind. Who can blame them really? It is pretty clear that Jet Li's solid mark as a US action star and the modestly successful (though hacked up, terribly dubbed, and horrendously re-scored) US release of the first film was on everyone's mind when coming up with a sequel. But, unfortunately, it is this self-conscious kowtowing to American sensibilities that spells death for the film and is the reason HK action films have lost their originality and paled in recent years.

Replacing Jet Li in the lead role is newcomer Andy On (or Chi-Kit On). If talent was only found in comic book facial features, then he would be a good lead and suitable replacement for Li. Unfortunately it takes much more than that, and Andy On doesn't make much of an impression beyond said chiseled cheekbones and superhero jawline (and even that is covered up at times by dorky lion-man makeup). The only other notable Asian face with a significant role is Teresa Herrera, from the likewise English friendly Gen X Cops sequel. Her role as the female eye candy is just that- merely eye candy, but with an silly added side-plot that she doesn't like to be touched by men, going so far as to faint if she is even brushed up against. Believe me, its even lamer than it sounds.

Okay, so it is supposed to be kitschy and they went with a kiddie matinee plot about half man/half animal warriors. That is fine, but then putting a former porn star and a cast of meathead wrestlers as the villains... ugh. I love a good b-film. I can forgive bad acting, silly plots, lackluster budgets, as long as there is some energy. And, that is what City of Masks lacks, any sense of elation or fun. Bad acting. Bad characters. Worst of all, forgettable action that is nowhere near the imaginative peaks of the two men responsible for this dull effort.

The DVD: Columbia/TriStar

Picture: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1. While it contains a more light concept than the original, it keeps the dark tone and likewise dark visuals. Tsui Harks frenetic visual palette is on display in all of its glory. Grain is in acceptable limits. Color and contrast are strong. I felt there were a couple of scenes that could have been sharper, but overall a decent presentation.

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English or 2.0 French Surround with optional English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Korean, or Thai subtitles. Well, no complaints here. Sound is crisp and clear. It is nothing amazing but suitably dynamic from the score, to the dialogue, to fx whacks, bangs, and mutating lunkheads.

Extras: Chapter Selections--- Trailers for the film as well as XXX and Love and a Bullet.

Conclusion: Well, if you are any sort of real HK action fan, you'll want to steer clear of this one. The DVD isn't too bad, so anyone still curious enough to check the film out can safely bet the film is a decent rental, which is the most I'm willing to give the film as a recommendation.