[18] One of the most infamous of the
Hong Kong category III films, something seems to have gone missing
between reputation and reality; while this film has its moments,
certainly, it's not the no-holds barred sleazefest one might expect
from the cover. What you get, is an interesting mix of Nikita and
Basic Instinct; a hit-woman takes on a new apprentice, only for a
previous trainee to come steaming back with her lesbian lover and a
severe grudge to settle. The action sequences are first-class, and
the characterisations are way over-the-top, like some nightmarish
wet dream (probably producer Wong Jing's). Sadly, the bits between
the action are laughable, largely thanks to some truly dreadful
dubbing -- there is a subtitled version available, at a mere £20,
but the video company sent the dub... It makes one mean mother of a
trailer, but even at 78 minutes, outstays its welcome.
[And yes: the subbed version is a whole lot better. Check out our review on GirlsWithGuns for details.]
D+
