Cast:

Chiu Man Cheuk

Angie Cheung

Stephen Au

Xu Xin Jiang

Action:

Sam Wong

Producer:

Wong Jing

Director:

Aman Chang

Score:  

BODY WEAPON

AKA:  N/A

Year: 1998    Reviewer: Tony Ryan

This is one of the better films to come out of Hong Kong in '98 but is still by no means a classic. Wu Shu maestro Chiu Man Cheuk of 'The Blacksheep Affair', 'Fong Sai Yuk', 'OUATIC 4' and 'OUATIC 5' stars as Hwan, a homicide detective on the case of a serial killer who rapes women and kills their partners. Hwan's colleagues are next on the killer's list and prompt Angie Cheung to take revenge using her body to lure the assailants.

Dark cinematography, powerful scenes, politically incorrect humour and good fight choreography combine to make this an entertaining film, but one you are only likely to watch once.

All of Chiu's previously mentioned films make for better viewing and contain more exciting fight sequences. As a result I would always recommend those first. However, he does have a screen presence and charisma that make him enjoyable to watch, and could well be next on the bandwagon to America assuming he can handle the lingo.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing how he fills Jet Li's shoes in the 'Black Mask' sequel, after doing such an admirable job as Wong Fei Hung in the 4th and 5th OUATIC films.

Nearly 4 stars but not quite.

Distributor:  Hong Kong Legends

Region:  2 (PAL)

Running Time:  85 mins

Video: 

1.85:1 Anamorphic PAL. The picture for the most part is sharp and highly detailed given the nature of the source print. Some slight film grain, evident also on the import VCD, occurs during some of the fight scenes.

Audio:

Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Cantonese or English (Dubbed).

Extras:  

- Chiu Man Chuk interview

- Photo gallery

- Theatrical Trailer (including Cut footage)

- Biography and Filmography for Chiu Man Cheuk

Notes:

This UK version of the film has been cut by the BBFC. The BBFC website states - "Cuts of 3m 41s were required. The cuts were compulsory. Cuts required to images of rape, sexual violence and humiliation in accordance with BBFC policy on sexual violence and with the Board's Guidelines on sexual violence at 18."