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Review
by Kozo: |
This
derivative combination of Raiders of the Lost Ark
and HK’s Fighting Female genre is an entertaining
if not awe-inspiring adventure film. Michelle Yeoh is
Ming, an adventurer who’s recruited by the Chinese to
fly to Northern China to locate and help Agent 001 (Derek
Yee). She’s entrusted with transporting Youda (Lowell
Lo), the ruler of a city named Kaal, back to safety
in Sourthen China. Youda has been hosting some Japanese
soldiers led by Matsui Tesuya, who are intent on using
Kaal as a poison gas factory.
As these types of movies
would have it, Ming and Agent 001 decide to help repel
the Japanese invaders, leading to all sorts of talk
about Japanese imperialism. Politics aside, the main draw
of a film like this is the action and stunts, which
it delivers in spades. Good fight choreography and set
pieces punctuate this fun film. What happens between
the action is mildly amusing - it’s just a lot of wackiness
with swindler Richard Ng and some standard flirting
between Michelle Yeoh and Derek Yee - but none of it
stands out as being overly interesting.
There is an overabundance of
cuteness from Michelle Yeoh, which is strange to watch
considering the presence she is capable of. Overall
this is a worthy actioner, but what sets better films
like Millionaire’s Express apart from this one
is a better balance of action and comedy, and the exhilaration
factor that makes HK Cinema so pleasurable. Magnificent
Warriors is terrific HK Cinema and well worth watching
- it’s just not exhilarating, that’s all. (Kozo 1998) |
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