Naked Killer (1992) / Action-Thriller

MPAA Rated: R for strong sexuality, violence and language
Running Time: 89 min. (US version), 100 min. (International)

Cast: Chingmy Yau, Simon Yam, Madoka Sugawara, Kelly Yao
Director: Clarence Fok
Screenplay: Wong Jing
Review published February 18, 1999

A young woman named Kitty (Royal Tramp, II) exacts revenge for the murder of her father and is hunted down by the Hong Kong police, including Tinam (Yam, The Mission), a man she was seeing who is seeking who is responsible for a series of murders involving castration. A professional assassin named Sister Cindy (Kelly Yao) takes her in, training her in the arts of being a sophisticated killer. Sister Cindy also has a former student who is as bad as they come, a cold-hearted lesbian named Princess (Ng, City on Fire). Now Tinam is caught in the middle of this war of female assassins.

Not a good film really, but still campy and audacious fun in this crazy, energetic actioner. Definitely inspired by Basic Instinct, including an interrogation scene liberally lifted (albeit toned down a bit), with hot cops and fast cars, mansions and stylish clothing galore. Admittedly, the film is a lot of fun, but most of it is in the first half, leading to an inevitable final confrontation between Kitty and Princess. It's all very superficial stuff, but it's guaranteed to hold your attention throughout. Don't expect ANYTHING and you may come away liking it. Despite the idiocy of the story, the actors are engaging will leave you chuckling at the sheer boldness of the subject matter.

Qwipster's rating::

©1999 Vince Leo