Naked Killer – Hong Kong Legends (DVD)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1992
Director: Clarence Ford (Clarence Fok)
Writer: Wong Jing
Cast: Chingmy Yau, Simon Yam, Carrie Ng, Madoka Sugawara, Yiu Wai, Hui Siu-Hung, Ken Lo

Release Date: 2002
Approximate Running Time: 93 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese, Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region 2 PAL
Retail Price: OOP

"A supercharged erotic action-adventure combining elements of 'Nikita' and 'Basic Instinct', 'Naked Killer' unfolds the twilight existence of a super-sexy female assassin, who falls victim to a lethal vendetta at the hands of a rival and her lesbian lover." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Digitally re-mastered and restored DVD transfer."

Naked Killer comes of a dual layer DVD.

Disc Size: 6.8 GB

Obviously dated by today's standards, this transfer holds up better than expected. The source used is in great shape; there are no signs of source imperfections. Colors are nicely saturated and at times vivid; flesh tones look correct; the image looks crisp; black levels are strong; and compression is very good for a DVD.

Audio: 3.5/5 (Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese, Dolby Digital 5.1 English)

This release comes with two audio options, a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in Cantonese and a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in English. Both audio mixes sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include Hong Kong theatrical trailer (2 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), UK promotional trailer (1 minute 46 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with English text, no subtitles), an interview with director Clarence Ford (24 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with producer Wong Jing (15 minutes 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Simon Yam (20 minutes 31 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a text based extra about actress Chingmy Yau titled Chingmy Yau Uncovered, an audio commentary with Clarence Ford and moderated by Jude Poyer, and trailers for other films released by Hong Kong Legends.

Summary:

The creative talent behind Naked Killer is director Clarence Ford (The Iceman Cometh) and prolific producer Wong Jing, whose films best fit into exploitation cinema. Wong Jing also wrote Naked Killer’s screenplay, which was clearly influenced by films like Basic Instinct and La Femme Nikita.

The narrative revolves around a detective who still has not gotten over the death of his partner due to his own recklessness. One day his paths cross with a young woman who has a valiant streak, and from there they quickly form a bond. Their happiness is short-lived when she is forced to change her identity and becomes an assassin.

Naked Killer is a textbook example of what is known as Cat III cinema. These were Hong Kong films that pushed the limits when it came to sex and violence. Some of the choice moments in Naked Killer include mutilating genitals, gratuitous softcore with ample nudity, and a scene where it is suggested that a detective accidentally ate a victim's missing penis, thinking it was a sausage.

When discussing Naked Killer, it is hard to look past its leading lady, Chingmy Yau. She was a former Miss Hong Kong contestant who was a protégé of prolific director and producer Wong Jing; she rose to prominence as he cast her in a string of roles, including the cult classic Naked Killer. Most of her early work consisted of her playing good girls in romantic comedies. She would heat up the screen with sexuality in every film she appeared in, and she would work with many of Hong Kong’s biggest stars, including Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Despite her attempts to diversify herself as an actress, she would be remembered for the exploitation films like Naked Killer that she appeared in. She married a Hong Kong businessman and has since retired from the film industry. She may never make a film again, but she will not be easily forgotten.

The rest of the cast are very good in their roles, especially Simon Yam (Full Contact) in the role of a detective named Tinam, who has a Vertigo-like sickness that causes him to vomit whenever he has to use his gun. Another performance of note is Carrie Ng (Sex and Zen) in the role of a lesbian assassin named Princess, who mutilates all of her victims genitalia.

Though there is a disregard for narrative structure, this is easy to overlook since there is an ample amount of sleaze and graphic carnage. Other strengths are the stylish cinematography, which gives Naked Killer a more polished look than most Cat III films, and the delirious dialog that is unintentionally humorous. Ultimately, Naked Killer may never win any awards for acting. Still, it is a thrill ride full of breathtaking action, brutal violence, and beautiful women who will kill you as quick as they turn you on.

Hong Kong Legends was, for their time, the premier label when it came to Hong Kong cinema. And though many of the films that they released have since made their way to Blu-ray via solid releases, Naked Killer is one film that is still MIA on Blu-ray.

Written by Michael Den Boer