ARMOUR OF GOD 2:
OPERATION CONDOR
(Hong Kong 1991)
Original Title: Fei Ying Gai Wak 飛鷹計劃 (aka) Operation Condor; Operation Eagle; Operation Condor: Armour of God
Directed by Jackie Chan Produced by Leonard Ho, Raymond Chow Action by Jackie Chan, JC Stunt Team Starring: Jackie Chan, Carol DoDo Cheng, Eva Cobo De Garcia, Aldo Sanchez, Ken Lo, Jonathan Isgar, Daniel Mintz, Mark King, Vincent Lynn, Bryan Baker, Ikeda Shoko, Bruce Fontaine, Wayne Archer, Steve Tartalia Reviewing: 88 Films UK 4K UHD Blu-ray Release Genres: Action / Comedy / Adventure
Rating: 5 / 5
88 Films UK 4K UHD Blu-ray Synopsis: The Asian Hawk is back! Undeterred by nearly dying while making the first Armour Of God, Jackie Chan returned to battle for a sequel that's bigger, better and even more daring. This time, Jackie's intrepid treasure hunter is in a race to recover some Nazi gold but finding it will not be easy, let alone safe. The most expensive Hong Kong film produced at that time, Armour Of God II: Operation Condor showcases some of Jackie's best stunts and action, building up to an epic climax that will blow you off your feet. (107/117 Mins)
88 Films UK Blu-ray Synopsis: The Asian Hawk is back! Undeterred by nearly dying while making the first Armour Of God, Jackie Chan returned to battle for a sequel that's bigger, better and even more daring. This time, Jackie's intrepid treasure hunter is in a race to recover some Nazi gold but finding it will not be easy, let alone safe. The most expensive Hong Kong film produced at that time, Armour Of God II: Operation Condor showcases some of Jackie's best stunts and action, building up to an epic climax that will blow you off your feet. (107 Mins)
Splendid Films German DVD Synopsis: In the most expensive Hong Kong production of all time, multi-talented Jackie Chan outdoes himself. In the very best 'Indian Jones' style, the thrilling action-adventure spans three continents. Above all, it is the stunts performed by Chan himself that make the film, alongside all its speed and humour, auch an experience. More than once, the viewer is left breathless as the shining hero puts himself in mortal danger. After the Second World War,a million-dollar treasure belonging to the German Wehrmacht mysteriously disappears. When the adventurous Jackie (Jackie Chan) is tasked years later with finding the hidden treasure, he has no idea that this will be the start of a dangerous and murderous journey. Because he is not alone in his search... (103 Mins)
Deltamac HK DVD Synopsis: Jackie the Condor is having more than his share of adventures, including a shotgun marriage, when Baron Scappis calls on him for help. The Baron tells Jackie this story: Near the end of the World War II, Nazi Germany was on the brink of defeat. The Nazis decided to hide the gold they had robbed of Europe in a secret fortress in the Sahara Desert. General Count von Katterling assigned the mission to his trusted aide and 18 guards. Nothing has ever been heard from the men since. The United Nations wants to have the gold recovered and used on humanitarian projects. So the Baron tells the Condor: you go there, locate the gold and take it back. And the Baron gives Jackie an assistant, Ada, a Chinese scholar, very pretty, very proud. Ada of course does not approve of Jackie's happy-go-lucky ways... (107 Mins)
Entertainment In Video UK VHS Synopsis: Jackie Chan is Condor, an adventurer hired to track down a lost hoard of gold buried in the North African desert by a German patrol as the Nazi war machine crumbled at the end of World War II. The hero is joined by three beautiful women in a race to get to the gold and outwit the evil forces relentlessly pursuing them. (100 Mins)
Views: When Operation Condor first got its UK release on VHS, it certainly wasn't graced with the most attractive or exciting cover-art. With Jackie's wrapped face filling the most of the video box, it was hardly enticing to anyone looking for an exciting movie to watch – let alone the fans. But this was pretty typical of the 1990's video releases by VPD and Entertainment In Video. Of course, if you wrapped the latest Jackie Chan movie in a brown paper bag, it still wouldn't stop me from wanting it. As the years passed and the DVD revolution set-in, I was always keeping an eye out for this to get some sort of re-release, a well-deserved clean-up as such from the likes of Hong Kong Legends or the CineAsia label. But by this stage, Hollywood studio and distributors Miramax had already secured the rights – renaming, re-editing, and ruining Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor along with most of Jackie's back catalogue (all of which I would advise steering-clear from). I eventually managed to get a Hong Kong DVD release from Deltamac, which was nice to have, but still nothing amazing in terms of what this incredible film deserved. Then thankfully, in 2020, the wonderful team at the UK label 88 Films, gave this Hong Kong classic the release it finally needed – and on Blu-ray at that, complete with stunning cover-art by the wonderful Kung Fu Bob!
The very same release gives viewers the chance to watch 2 different versions of the film, both of which have been remastered in 2K from the original negatives. The first is the original Hong Kong version at 107 minutes long, but the one I'm watching is the rarely seen extended version that clocks in at 117 minutes...
Jackie Chan continues his nod to Indiana Jones (and James Bond) as he takes the character of the Asian Hawk on another globe-trotting adventure, cranking things up a few levels on budget, stunts, story, cast, comedy, and fight action, in one of my all-time favourite Hong Kong action-comedies. Much like Armour Of God, the film opens with Jackie attempting to steal a treasure from a native tribe – arriving in style on their island by paragliding over. As he plucks the large gems from the stone carvings, he is encouraged by a few of the natives to take more. Surprised, Jackie thanks them and continues to do so. Before he leaves, the Asian Hawk takes a moment to fill his water-bottle from the small waterfall that pours over the same stone. As he takes a sip to show the tribesmen how it works, Jackie gets a shock as the armed natives quickly get to their feet – soon joined by a small army of warriors. As our hero tries to figure out his options, he notices a scrawny Chinese man who steps out from among the painted people. He announces to Jackie that the water is sacred, and that he himself made the same mistake many years ago – a mistake that left him stuck there for the rest of his years, married to the biggest woman of the tribe. Jackie makes a run for it!
The scrawny man in question is played by the fantastic Chen Chi Hwa – the very same man who started a relationship with a young Jackie Chan as the director of his early works such as Shaolin Wooden Men, Snake And Crane Arts Of Shaolin, and the fun Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu. Around the same time, they both would also work together on Dance Of Death and 36 Crazy Fists, with Jackie stepping in as action-choreographer. As the 80's kicked in and Jackie Chan was taking over the world, the roles reversed and Chen went on to work for Jackie as an executive director (and often uncredited director) on many of his films including Police Story and Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor. But another well known name of the Hong Kong film world would also be a part of Jackie's adventures over the years, and was one that helped create a trio of talent that was often over-looked or shadowed by his infamous on-screen moments with kung-fu brothers Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. That man was the great Frankie Chan – director of classics such as the hard-hitting Burning Ambition, The Good, The Bad And The Beauty, the crazy Oh! Yes Sir!, and fantastic Outlaw Brothers – a film that would benefit from having Jackie Chan and his stunt team as the action choreographers. As well as starring in his own movies, fans will recognise Frankie Chan as the main bad guy from the epic Prodigal Son who takes part in one of the most incredible end fights when he goes toe-to-toe with Yuen Biao. He would also star alongside Sammo Hung in the fun Carry On Pickpocket and The Fortune Code. But Frankie Chan has so much more under his belt, as well as being an actor and action-movie-director. With over 130 credits to his name as a composer. From early Jackie Chan works such as Cub Tiger From Kwan Tung in 1973 (aka Snake Fist Fighter), right through to Wong Kar Wai and Jeff Lau's Chinese Odyssey 2002, Frankie Chan has been the man behind some incredible scores of many Hong Kong classics. Much like Chen Chi Hwa, Frankie has always had a connection with Jackie Chan with both directors helping each other out on each others projects, including Jackie even producing Legendary Amazons for Frankie as his big come-back movie. Although there was an incredible amount of talent behind it, the film ultimately failed to impress critics as well as many Hong Kong film fans, but I really enjoyed it myself. Regardless, both Chan's (and Chen) would prove to be a force to be reckoned with, working together as a team over many decades on hit-after-hit which would also see Frankie step in as assistant director on this, and once again on the unofficial sequel to the series, the fantastically fun Chinese Zodiac...
Back in Operation Condor, Jackie makes his escape with the help of a tiger-poster and a large, inflatable zorbing ball that gives us an exciting opening-stunt as he (or one of his stuntmen) bounces off the edge of the mountain, and down into the thick canopy of trees below. Regardless of who was inside, it still proves to be a highly impressive sight and, having spent time in a zorb-ball, can honestly say I don't envy the person who did it. Taking a well deserved break, we find Jackie fishing on his jeep – which is also his boat – in the middle of an ancient volcano, which is another amazing sight and just lets us see how epic the film is going to get. He soon receives a fax that ends his vacation quick, and just as he hooks a monster fish that most definitely doesn't look like it belongs there! Before we know it Jackie is in Madrid bumping into a host of characters that will all take part in his journey this time around. These include Japanese market seller Ikeda Shoko, German tourist Eva Cobo, and two unfriendly Arabs who are following her – played by Dan Mintz and Jonathan Isgar. Jackie has been called upon by the Baron, played once again by Bozidar Smiljanic who starred as the same character in Armour Of God. It's a shame Lola Forner, who played his daughter and Jackie's previous love-interest, didn't return or her absence explained. Saying that, Lola is replaced somewhat by the wonderful Carol DoDo Cheng who plays an assistant to the Baron. Revealing a special key he has had in his possession, the Baron announces that he wants to hire the Asian Hawk (also known here as the Condor) to find a secret, hidden Nazi bunker in a desert that is rumoured to house millions of dollars worth of gold. Of course, Jackie accepts and soon sets of on his adventures that kick-starts a host of hilarious and action-packed scenarios.
After a tip-off, his first stop is at the home of the aforementioned German tourist, Eva Cobo De Garcia. Finding that no-one is home, Jackie breaks-in (in the coolest of ways of course) to look for more clues that will help him on his journey. Jackie fumbles about in the dark with a mini-flashlight in hand, and soon gets a shock when Eva bursts through the door. As she charges through the house to get to the bathroom, Jackie ducks and dives to stay out of shot in a hilarious moment that never fails to entertain me. After managing to sneak by her, and with his foot almost out the door, Jackie suddenly hears some commotion from Eva's bedroom where she is being attacked by the two meddling Arabs. In a wonderfully choreographed and funny moment, the Asian Hawk comes to the rescue, resulting in some laughs, great moves, stripping Eva naked, and letting the attackers go. Without letting viewers catch a breath, Jackie next heads to a highly respected locksmith to see if he can unlock any secrets of the key given to him by the Baron. But some dodgy looking guys are hot-on-his-heels, and before we know it, we are treated to another fun scuffle. Thinking he has gotten rid of his problems after disarming them, Jackie returns to his motorbike but soon finds himself being chased by as host of vehicles resulting in a fantastic car chase – much like what we got in the first, only ramped up even more with some crazy stunt-work that highly impresses. Hugely popular French stunt driver Remy Julienne and his team return once again to deliver some incredible vehicle work, that ends with Jackie driving off a ramp at the docks and catching hold of a hoisting net while flying through the air!
With Eva having revealed that her grandfather was part of the Nazi desert operation, she easily persuades Jackie to let her come along – much to Carol Cheng's delight. Soon, the adventurers and their posse are on their way to Morocco in a wonderful montage of laughs and gorgeous cinematography, backed by yet another fun and catchy song from Jackie himself. They soon arrive a desert hotel, hosted by a fast-talking and money loving manager who more than looks after his guests, but always for a price. As the rift between the girls becomes more apparent, we soon find that someone else has been tailing them, ransacking each of their rooms in search of the key. This whole sequence at the hotel is a definite highlight for me, and a hugely entertaining part of the film. As more characters appear, including the meddling Arabs and some tough-as-nails mercenaries, more-and-more comedic situations arise. You can't help but sit with a huge smile on your face as laugh-after-laugh blends with some great action moments, and things just get hilariously worse for the gang due to the absolute nuttiness of the female characters that results in the very funny Eva Cobo getting her hands on a massive machine gun, before she pretty much decimates the entire hotel. It's such a fantastic scene overall, and a big part of what makes this film highly entertaining for me. While it looks incredibly authentic, the Moroccan hotel in question was actually built on the Golden Harvest back-lot which really allowed for Jackie and his team to go wild. It's one of the most impressive sets I've ever seen in a Hong Kong film, with every little brick and bend highly detailed, with some beautiful lighting that compliments every corner of the building.
As they continue on their journey, Jackie and his team soon come across the Japanese market seller, Ikeda, who is seemingly wandering the desert roads alone – perhaps looking for another place to sell her crafts. As they all pitch camp for the night, the explorers are suddenly attacked by some desert bandits that literally look like they just stepped out of an Indiana Jones movie. In a bid to stay alive, Jackie feigns his death after faking a scorpion bite by Ikeda's pet, Ding Dong. It's a funny moment and it works for him, allowing Jackie to survive so that he (and Ikeda) can go rescue Eva and Carol who have been kidnapped. Finding both women being sold-off as slaves at a night market elsewhere in the desert, Jackie and Ikeda arrange their rescue, with the Asian Hawk dressing as a local so he can buy them both – something that offers plenty of laughs once again and a few nice-but-brief moves from our hero. If this was a Hollywood movie, this gang of crazy characters would be home-free and getting somewhat of a break after their ordeal, but not here. As the rest of Jackie's team is getting shot up and slaughtered back at camp by the mercenaries that have been following, Chan and his ladies get taken prisoner (once again), this time by the two crazy Arab's who just won't give up. But as the heat beats down on them and the water runs low, Jackie soon makes his move and sends both men rolling down a huge sand dune, allowing the four of them to get back to camp where they find an unwanted sight awaiting them.
Reduced to a trio as they say their goodbyes to Ikeda, Jackie leads the adventurers to the spot where they believe the hidden Nazi bunker is. Once again, we are treated to another amazing set-piece (which actually looks like it was on location) as tunnels of sandstone and secret doors make for an exciting chase sequence, when some deadly tribesmen try to kill the 3 of them. As Jackie and the girls are backed into a corner, the ground suddenly gives-way. The trio fall through the sand, sliding down into the very place they have been looking for – the Nazi bunker – filled with spider webs, Nazi flags, and lots of skeletons, one of which is Eva's grandfather. It's another incredible set piece that showcases the work of the Hong Kong set designers from that era, both in scale and detail that simply looks amazing. Of course, it doesn't take long for the mercenaries to catch-up, led by the one Nazi that escaped the killing of his regiment in a bid to keep the gold a secret. They also have Ikeda in-tow as a hostage so, after some quick thinking, Jackie and the girls make their first attempt to escape which kicks-off an incredible final 30 minutes of action (well, at least in this extended version). This has got to be one of my favourite finales to any Jackie Chan movie, and while it may not host an epic one-on-one battle like Jackie vs Benny The Jet in Dragons Forever or Wheels On Meals, it totally delivers in terms of martial-arts-action and awesome stunt-work, offering plenty of fighting that will keep even the most hardened fan happy! I have always praised Jackie as the king of parkour – long before this now over-used style of free running was a 'thing', and here we get to see plenty of that in action, blended with his incredible action – all of which are highlighted even more as to how real they were, with the bloopers and NG (no good) shots at the end of the film!
Of course, to allow viewers the chance to breathe in this grand finale, the team take a break from fighting when they finally come across the tons of gold bars that are hidden. But I'm only talking a few minutes before Jackie is suddenly trading hits again, this time with the fantastic Ken Lo and Vincent Lynn. The only problem is, they have gotten trapped in a giant wind tunnel, and as the girls hit each and every button in the control room in an attempt to help Jackie, things only go from bad-to-worse when they trigger the self destruct button as well as turn on the giant turbine. It's a moment that leads to much hilarity and some fun action, as the old Nazi decides to help Jackie and the girls escape after a change of heart. In an extremely wild and explosive ending, we watch in awe as Jackie, Carol, Eva and Ikeda get sucked up a giant air-duct, and shot out of the sand like bullets. Yes it's maybe a little over-the-top, but why the hell not? The whole film has been like a live-action cartoon, so why not go out big?
Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor is a massive amount of fun! Jackie proves why he is the king of martial-arts-action-cinema both as a star and a director, delivering an incredibly fun adventure that quite simply, does not fail to entertain. I've heard folks say that even the shorter version could have been trimmed, but I still find this extended version to be fantastic. Once again we are treated to some great songs by the star, as well as a memorable and fun score by composer Chris Babida who had also worked on Hong Kong films such as Bury Me High, Black Cat 2, Butterfly & Sword, and other Jackie projects such as Wheels On Meals and Winners And Sinners. I absolutely adore this film and clearly can't praise it enough, and while I love Armour Of God, this sequel definitely takes things to the next level and betters it. Just stay clear of the massacred US version by all means!!
Overall: An incredible action-adventure, with fantastic fight scenes and epic stunt-work that proves that Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor is one of Jackie Chan's finest moments!
88 Films 4K UHD Blu-ray Extras: 4K Restorations, 2 Version of the Film, Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng & F.J. DeSanto, Interview with Vincent Lyn, Interview with Ken Lo, Archival Interview with Bruce Fontaine, Victor Fan on Film, Project Eagle credit Sequence, Hong Kong Trailers, Japanese Trailer, Japanese TV Spot, Image Gallery
88 Films Blu-ray Extras: 2K Restorations, Extended Version (117 Mins), Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, Interview with Bruce Fontaine, Trailers
Splendid Film DVD Extras: Audio Commentary with Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
Deltamac HK DVD Extras: Trailer, Star Biographies
Watch my unboxing for the 88 Films 4K UHD release HERE
Watch my unboxing for the 88 Films Blu-ray release HERE
