It might have taken a while but this is actually Cynthia Rothrock's first starring role. Yeah, even if she was a relatively big name in the industry, this is the first movie that features her carrying the storyline, the protagonist. Something that seems strange considering how relevant and how much of a highlight her appearances were in previous movies. Technically, 24 Hours to Midnight from 1985 was supposed to be her first starring role but production issues kept that from happening.
At any rate, the success and quality of today’s film showed that she could lead a feature film.
Lady Reporter (also known as Blonde Fury, Born to Fight, Above the Law II: The Blonde Fury and Righting Wrongs II) was released in 1989 and was directed by stuntman Hoi Mang, he is known for his work in movies like Yes, Madam! (1985), Royal Warriors (1986), Righting Wrongs (1986) and She Shoots Straight (1990). Mang was also an actor and appeared in Enter the Dragon (1973), Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983) and The Stunt Woman (1996).
In this film, Cindy (Rothrock) is an FBI agent who meets with her college friend Judy Yu (Elizabeth Lee) in Hong Kong in order to investigate a counterfeit ring run by a powerful newspaper director.
While not too dissimilar from other Hong Kong action movies, we do have an entertaining addition to the genre. The fights are undeniably dynamic, we have less shootouts but more martial arts hand-to-hand combats than usual. Elements found in the environments are also used more often here in the fight choreographies than in other action films of this kind. A lot of great stunts, shot in wide shots and slow motion, which give you a good look at the work these stuntmen and performers do.
For once, the subplot in one of these movies is pretty decent, and unlike some other Hong Kong action films, you actually do care about every single character, they grow on you. The silly comedy helps to give us more sides of them and conveys their personality quite well. The gags hit a lot more and harder than in some other outings in the genre. The story may come off as a bit awkwardly structured for some, but it's fairly straight for a film of this kind, the disjointed nature of them is always interesting anyways.
Rothrock is just as charming and skillful as ever, always with a good attitude, this specific character she plays here is quite joyful, always smiling and breezing through challenging situations. Her skills are once again wonderful and put to good use in this film.
Beyond just having people fight, the movie actually focuses more on the set pieces and always tries to give you something interesting and creative to delight yourself with the action sequences. The ending set-piece is quite imaginative and well executed as well. Not a typical climax but with a very average, but likable, ending. It helps that the film was directed by a stuntman, who managed to successfully integrate himself into the girls with guns genre with this impressive entry. Too bad he only directed one other movie, he could have had a longer career.
Totally recommended for every martial arts movie fan, even if the film is lighter than usual, you will get a lot out of it. A fun and highly hilarious 80 minutes for everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment