Dragon Warriors 2 to Continued Acclaim as It Highlights Yingdala's Worldview
Dragon Warriors 2: Hidden Dragon poster
Long Feng pictures released its latest iteration of the Dragon Warriors series, Dragon Warriors 2: Hidden Dragon. Unsurprisingly, the film was a major hit at the summer box office, quickly reaching domestic blockbuster status in a single week. Critics also appreciated the film, again noting the anti-war theme, but would have preferred "a little less propaganda", as one critic put it. Opening in theatres worldwide soon, the movie demonstrates the vitality of Yingdala's burgeoning film industry and willingness to show the world Yingdala's values.
Like the first Dragon Warriors, Dragon Warriors 2 is an action film, although this time it veers more along the lines of a war movie. It begins with the sinking of a Yingdalan naval vessel in international waters between Seleya and Dovani. While Yingdalan authorities race to discover who or what caused the ship's destruction, many Yingdalan ports are struck and destroyed by missile attacks. Thousands of soldiers parachute down from the skies, commencing sneak-attack raids and engaging in acts of total war.
Still unsure of their enemy, the Yingdalan Armed Forces, led by their Royal Family, begin mobilizing to counter the unknown threat. Attempting to pacify the country, the Armed Forces discover that the enemy troops belong to the northern nation of Korlonia (yes, a fictional country). Having captured some troops, the Yingdalan authorities question the reasoning for the unprovoked attacks. The captured Korlonian soldiers, disgusted by how some of their fellow soldiers acted in their attacks, reveal that Korlonia does not want to see a "returned Yingdala" that fights against imperialism and upholds sovereignty.
From there, we find that Korlon's formal invasion has begun. Korlonian soldiers terrorize the Yingdalan people and attempt to impose their values upon them, eliminating anyone who disagrees or puts up resistance, all in the name of "human rights and democracy". Of course, through their will and confidence in who they are, the Yingdalan troops push back the Korlonian forces on land and by sea. Once finished, the Yingdalan Armed Forces engage in a counter-expedition, landing in Korlonia. Only unlike the Korlonians, the Yingdalans refuse to engage in total war, completely avoiding civilians and civilian areas, with a strict mandate to only to defend if attacked.
Upon reaching the Korlonian capital Skeranburgh, the Yingdalan Army reaches the Government Palace. After a short siege, the Yingdalans capture the Korlonian leadership and replace them with virtuous Korlonian citizens respectful of the sovereignty and cultures of all nations. The film ends with a great peace and budding friendship between the two countries, each vowing to defend the rights of all peoples' choice to live as they please.
Although trite at times, Dragon Warriors 2 has a powerful anti-war message emphasizing respect for the people and the sovereignty of nations. A purely private production, the film is a reflection of the beliefs of all Yingdalans. All we want is peace.