What is your favourite version/cut of Police Story Part II?

[Omni Dragon]

I was thinking of adding a poll to this thread/topic, however I'm a little confused just how many different versions there are and how they differ?

As I understand it the different versions/cuts are:

Hong Kong Theatrical Version

Japanese Extended Version

Export Version

Taiwanese Version

New Line Cinema (US) Version

TF1 French Version

And maybe the Fortune Star assembled extended version is different enough from the Japanese extended to be considered it's own version?

 

Here are some links to info about the different versions:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095403/alternateversions?tab=cz&ref_=tt_trv_alt

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=842

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=1322

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=970102

https://www.36styles.com/kungfufandom/topic/26855-police-story-2-the-taiwanese-cut/

 

Anyway from what I've seen here's a personal ranking:

 

1. The Export version

Is my personal favourite. It's similar to the HK theatrical version, though removes some of the toilet humour which I personally found a bit much, it does unfortunately lose the scene in which Chan plants the bug/listening device as a result. I know this is superficial and is kind of more like a bonus, but still, I also prefer the English dub in this version. It feels less flat or dull and has more "character" to me than the ones recorded for the HK and Fortune Star versions. The only thing I really wished they'd kept in from the HK theatrical version is the flash back from the first Police Story in the scooter scene because the cut/edit is slightly jarring without it, it literally only a few seconds and fortunately the rest of the editing in this version is seamless.

 

2. Hong Kong Theatrical version

Better pacing than in the extended version IMO. While I don't like the English dub in this version as much overall when compared to the export, I do particularly like the "bastard son" line (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR0_QRzcT2s) though.

 

3. Fortune Star extended version

Slower pacing when compared to the aforementioned versions, though I do enjoy the novelty of seeing additional stuff.

 

4. Taiwanese version

It's a mix of both the HK and extended versions. I decided to put it last on my ranking because I didn't really understand some of the editing choices, the removal of the daytime part of the park scene for an example. It was nice to watch for some more exclusive scenes though.

Edited October 22, 2022 by Omni Dragon

[Cognoscente]

I wish there was a version where we could see Emily Chu's character.
 

 

[Kevin Chan]

AFAIK the Fortune Star extended cut is identical to the Japanese cut, but it features the Hong Kong/international NGs at the end rather than the Japanese NGs. But like the Japanese cut, it features the Police Story 1 title song (Hero Story) rather than the Police Story 2 title song, which is a bit odd.

There are things I like about the extended cut: The surveillance team is properly introduced and I also like the extended sequence where the team is tailing the guy on the subway.

But the music score and the overall pacing is better in the Hong Kong version IMO.

When I watch the film in German I prefer the international version as those versions are identical, but when I watch it in Cantonese I prefer the Hong Kong version. I'm super glad that the new Eureka 4k set features the Hong Kong version in crisp quality, even though it is "just" Full HD.