Magnificent Warriors (1987)
Reviewed by: danton on 2002-02-18
One of Michelle Yeoh's early D&B films, shot prior to her retirement. It's the kind of movie that HK doesn't seem to want to make anymore, with a modicum of plot garnished by some HK-style humor, and filled with generous helpings of straight martial arts action.

Michelle plays a female version of Indiana Jones who gets entangled in a conflict between locals and the Japanese occupation army some time in the thirties. She is helped along the way by Richard Ng playing a conman and by a number of assorted good guys who all band together to fight their way through hordes of evil Japanese henchmen. No MTV-style editing or flashy Andrew Lau-style CG FX here. The camera just sits back and lets you enjoy the intricate choreography and Michelle's balletic grace.

Unfortunately, the movie has grander ambitions; it tries to play in the same field as similar Hollywood blockbusters, but doesn't have the kind of budget required to impress on a grand scale. So whenever the movie goes from human stuntwork to big FX shots, it becomes kind of silly. For example, why did they have to include aerial battles between Michelle in a biplane and a Japanese Zero fighter? Especially considering that most of it is obviously two model planes?

That being said, the movie is still very enjoyable in a comic book sort of way. You never get any sense of true danger, even when the heroes are tied to poles awaiting their execution by shooting squad, they still seem relaxed enough to banter around, because they know the screenwriter will come up with some twist that saves them...

Recommended.