Review | Pegasus 3 movie review: Shen Teng roars back in Han Han’s blockbuster racing sequel

Having clocked up more than 4.3 billion yuan (US$625 million) at China’s box office since its Chinese New Year release, the blockbuster sequel finally brings the continuing exploits of former champion Zhang Chi (Shen Teng) roaring into Hong Kong cinemas this week.

Audiences in the city can be forgiven for being unfamiliar with Zhang’s past accomplishments, as the previous entries in Han’s loosely biographical franchise failed to secure release in Hong Kong, despite being formidable successes on the mainland.

Graciously, Pegasus 3 does include a number of exposition-heavy flashbacks to bring audiences up to date, but rest assured, this is a series where all the real drama happens on the track at nerve-jangling speeds.

Pegasus neophytes need to know little more than that Zhang was a five-time winner of the now-defunct Bayanbulak Rally before hitting a series of obstacles, both on and off the circuit, including a five-year ban, a near-fatal crash and the emergence of a younger generation of drivers, not least the reigning champion Lin Zhengdong, played by Huang Jingyu.