Naked Weapon

The English-dubbed film made in Hong Kong suggests that it won't be an extremely action-packed or bloody spectacle, which foreign audiences (especially American ones) might not be willing to endure. After it ends, I partially have to agree, even though the overall impression surpassed many of my initial expectations. A story charged with feminism perhaps even more than G. I. Jane doesn’t belong in the category of the worst films and has many bright and some truly excellent moments. The very careful and refined casting selection, of course, pleases the male audience, and yet nothing is perfect. After a very fast-paced introduction, which after a few more minutes would have smacked of pedophilia, the director took an almost perverse pleasure in the military training of nineteen-year-old girls. The harsh environment of the training camp and, above all, the excellently arranged combat sequences, in which the old good ropes prove their worth, clearly deserve the highest rating. However, in the second half, it was as if I’d started watching a different movie because the stunts gave way to digital effects, which, despite their undeniable quality, significantly disrupted the pleasant impression of watching classic handiwork. The quality of the plot begins to accumulate one cliché after another, and everything gradually leads to a single ending. Perhaps only the introduction of the main couple takes place in a wonderfully romantic setting, while the first lovemaking scene is the most inappropriately timed scene of the entire movie. Fortunately, many things are saved by the opulent ending, which even outshines The Matrix. The three stars are not necessarily for the film itself, but rather because I had a great time with it. (27/08/2005)