Sure, Madam! – movie evaluation Sure, Madam!

Sure, Madam! (1985)
Director: Corey Yuen
Solid: Michelle Yeoh & Cynthia Rothrock
Language: Cantonese (with non-obligatory English dubbed audio & non-obligatory English subtitles)
Size: 93 minutes
Format: Particular Version Blu-ray
Launch Date: 12 December 2022

In an period when Hollywood is persistently selling the concept of kickass feminine motion heroes as if that is one thing new, it’s worthwhile remembering that earlier than Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde; earlier than Scarlett Johansson took on the position of Natasha Romanoff; earlier than Uma Thurman in Kill Invoice and even earlier than Sigourney Weaver in Alien, East Asian cinema had already established a practice of the cinematic warrior lady.

Come Drink With Me, from 1966, noticed Cheng Pei-pei’s Golden Swallow character and her all-female troupe of bodyguards do battle with some fearsome bandits, and 1973’s Woman Snowblood, with Meiko Kaji as Yuki Kashima, confirmed a massively expert swordswoman on a mission of lethal vengeance, whereas Angela Mao, lined right here not too long ago, earned the nickname ‘the primary woman of kung fu’ through the first half of the Nineteen Seventies.

The development continued in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, however by the mid-Eighties a brand new factor was about to be launched with Sure, Madam! being described as the primary ‘women with weapons’ motion film, albeit there’s extra spin kicks executed right here than gun photographs fired.

Initially launched as Police Assassins within the UK, the film options not one however two remarkably gifted feminine martial arts performers in Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock. Amazingly, this was the latter’s display debut and likewise Michelle Yeoh’s first huge motion position. The pair group up as senior law enforcement officials investigating the homicide of a British agent in Hong Kong. Yeoh is native Inspector Ng Lok-Sai, whereas Rothrock performs Inspector Carrie Morris, despatched from Scotland Yard to help the case on account of its British connection.

In lots of respects, they’re opposites. Ng is well mannered and regarded, whereas Moss operates like a human flame thrower, both threatening to beat up suspects or truly beating them up.

The plot, it must be admitted, is nothing particular. Two brothers, Strepsils (John Sham) and Aspirin (Mang Hoi) break into the lodge room of the murdered man and steal some important proof (a lacking piece of microfilm that implicates a Triad chief, Henry Tin, in various crimes). Performed by James Tien with a maniacal giggle, Tin is now desperately searching for the microfilm and when he unleashes his thugs (together with Dick Wei as Dik and Chung Fats as Mad Canine) to hunt the petty thieves down and retrieve the microfilm by any means neccessary, Strepsils, Aspirin and petty forger and fence pal Panadol (Tsui Hark) are approach out of their depths. And never solely that, Ng and Carrie are quickly on their path too.

The movie’s tone isn’t a lot uneven as all over, transferring from spectacular stunts and combat scenes to the type of Benny Hill type humour that proved common in Hong Kong cinema on the time. Apparently a ‘comedic’ interlude that includes a cameo from Sammo Hung in a care house was added after the movie had ended. It shouldn’t have been.

The comedian characters, although, could be amusing sufficient at occasions and Tsui Hark, a person who is healthier often known as a director (and the topic of a tune by Sparks) does surprisingly effectively in his position, however it’s the combat scenes and stunts that actually impress, notably the lengthy climax sequence, which took an entire month to shoot. The prolonged kinetic motion right here ensures the film goes out on an actual excessive. Rothrock’s scorpion kick being solely certainly one of many highlights.

Contemplating she wasn’t a educated actor (although she held seven separate black belts in disciplines from Taekwondo to Karate and Eagle Claw), Rothrock comes throughout as a really comfy presence onscreen. As does Michelle Yeoh. It’s been mentioned that originally the on-set stunt group have been overtly sceptical about her talents, her background being in ballet and wonder pageants, however by the point she’d smashed her head backwards via a balcony’s glass panel whereas the wrong way up, I’m positive any sceptics would have been silenced. It’s a sensational stunt and it’s clearly Yeoh and never a stunt double performing it. No CGI both.

Sure, Madam! wouldn’t be Yeoh’s best second, however it did launch an extended and profitable profession with highlights similar to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tai Chi Grasp and All the pieces In all places All at As soon as, in addition to portraying a Bond lady who was at the very least as bodily succesful as 007, if no more so.

The primary Caucasian feminine to play a lead position in a Hong Kong movie, Rothrock hasn’t matched Yeoh’s cinematic heights but in addition went on to star in lots of motion pictures and is probably going finest recognized for her two outings as China O’Brien. She continues to be thought of one of many huge display’s most completed feminine fighters ever.

I doubt that the fashions on show right here will likely be making a return any time quickly however Sure, Madam! stays one of the influential motion movies of the Eighties. Regardless of its faults, it’s important viewing for Hong Kong movie followers and Yeoh and Rothrock have but to be bettered as a feminine martial arts double act.

On Blu-ray for the primary time ever within the UK as part of Eureka Classics vary, the movie is introduced from a model new 2K restoration and it seems unbelievable.

Particular options embody a restricted version O-Card slipcase that includes new paintings; a brand new function size audio commentary by Frank Djeng & Michael Value and one by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema; a brand new interview with Cynthia Rothrock; a places featurette; an archival interview with Michelle Yeoh; archival featurette Battling Babes and a collector’s booklet with new writing by James Oliver.

For extra on the discharge, click on right here.

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All phrases by Jamie Havlin. Jamie has written a few brief movies screened on British TV and at worldwide festivals and he repeatedly contributes to the glam rock fanzine Wired Up! Extra writing by Jamie could be discovered at his Louder Than Conflict creator’s archive.