10 "kick ass women" movies

The Heroic Trio

Peking Opera Blues --
another Hong Kong movie with an all-female heroic trio

There's a major storm a-brewing around these here parts. Consequently, I figured it might be best for me to get a head-start with writing today's blog entry. At the same time, I also reckoned that it'd be easy enough to get an early start today because this entry's topic -- one which I'm writing about at the request of one nice reader who has made a project out of assembling her own list(s) of "kick ass women" movies -- is one that I've already spent lots of time thinking about as well as is close to my feminist heart.

When assembling a preliminary list of candidates to write about though, I came to realize that I had a bit of problem. Yep, the Asian filmophiles amongst you guessed it: Not so much a dearth of able candidates but just the opposite!

Therefore, before going any further, here's pointing out that this list of top ten "kick ass women" movies will be limited only to offerings from Hong Kong; thereby eliminating any detailed mention of otherwise worthy works like South Korea's My Wife is a Gangster (2001) and Saving My Hubby (2002) along with the Pan-Chinese Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

In addition, this time around (for, if people prove receptive, there will be others!), I've restricted myself to discussing those movies which are available on DVD; and thus not any of those smaller-budget Girls with Guns movies that are filled to the brim with gutsy gals and possess titles like Widow Warriors (1990) as well as Angel (1987).

Furthermore, to ensure some diversity, I've -- and allow me to shriek our a frustrated plus heartfelt *yeeaaaargh* here before proceeding further-- actually done what I can to make sure that the list is not entirely composed of movies which star Brigitte Lin Ching-Hsia and/or Michelle Yeoh! (So, rest assured that even though you don't see titles like The Bride with White Hair (1993) or Police Story III: Supercop (1992) on the list, it's not as though I'm not aware of their existence!)

With all the above caveats out of the way, here's what made the list:-

1) Peking Opera Blues (1986) -- An adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster-ride of a movie with scenes that make you hold your breath, pause to think, giggle, laugh, smile, cry plus cheer along with its heroic characters -- the three most major of whom all happen to be, in their own way, truly kick-ass females.

2) The Heroic Trio (1993) -- A super colorful super-heroine film with larger-than-life characters; the main three of whom are played by a trio of star actresses -- one of them sadly deceased -- with larger-than-life personalities of their own.

3) Swordsman II (1992) -- This sublime movie's main male star, Jet Li, is reputed to not love the film whereas its main female star, Brigitte Lin, has named it as one of her favorites of the slightly over hundred movies in which she has appeared. Small wonder, since not only does Jet Li have to share a considerable amount of screen-time with the movie's many fighting females but Brigitte Lin, as the memorably monikered Asia the Invincible, seemingly couldn't help but steal the show from him!

4) Wing Chun (1994) -- Michelle Yeoh's best role, even if not her best film; one that showcases her incredible grace and flexibility plus all-round action prowess. And yes, we know that it's wire-enhanced and all but that flying tofu scene still is a whole lot of fun to watch! ;)

5) Dragon Inn (1992) -- Brigitte Lin had a smaller role in this ambitious effort than had been originally planned due to an accident while filming. (Part of an arrow hit one of her eyes! :o) Nonetheless, she and Maggie Cheung Man Yuk do more than enough in what scenes they have in it to make the movie a winner (as well as put the leading man, Tony Leung Kar Fai, along with the villainous character played by Donnie Yen, into the shade).

6) Naked Killer (1992) -- With its sexy females and lesbian villainesses, this Wong Jing produced work is the closest to an exploitation film of any that's on this list. So those with a sensitive disposition might want to steer clear of it. However, those who can accept -- and even like -- their "kick ass women" bad as well as good really can't afford to give this visually luscious offering a miss!

7) Lady General Hua Mu-lan (1963) -- For those who were sufficiently wow-ed by Walt Disney's Mulan, go get thee a DVD of this delightful Shaw Brothers huangmei opera-style production which simultaneously gave the title character a significantly more feminist and filial attitude than the Hollywood cartoon double quick!

8) The 14 Amazons (1972) -- A star-studded blockbuster from the Shaw Brothers which brings to the screen the legendary tale of the Yang family of female generals. On a filmic note: Not only are there three generations of women warriors on display in this work but the one grandson of the family's formidable matriach is portrayed by actress Lily Ho!

9) Fong Sai Yuk (1993) -- Being called a "mama's boy" may be considered insulting in the West. However, as this martial arts extravaganza whose titular protagonist was a real-life martial arts hero who had been taught kung fu by his mother shows, that's not necessarily the case in Chinese-speaking territories! And this especially when the supermom in question is played by the legendary -- and thoroughly feisty! -- Josephine Siao Fong Fong. :)

10) So Close (2002) -- If truth be told, this solitary entry on the list that's a 21st century offering is a work which, for some reason or other, many others -- including my father! -- enjoyed far more than me. However, even I cannot deny that it's got its share of fighting femmes as well as lots of eye-candy for action movie fiends. And that its climactic battle makes for pretty awesome viewing indeed... ;b