Emperor MotionPicture Group's The Twins Effect IIhas scored the highest opening of the year so far for a local film, grossingUS$1.4m from 65 screens.

The film has notoutpaced the original, which grossed US$2m in its opening week last July, butis nonetheless a welcome boost for the local industry which has struggledagainst the tide of US blockbusters this summer.

Again starring popduo Twins, the star-studded film features the acting debut of Jackie Chan'sson, Jaycee Chan. He plays a humble young man who must overthrow a cruelempress to become king in a land where men are subservient to women. Chansenior also makes a guest appearance in a fight scene with Donnie Yen.