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The Heroic Trio

The Heroic Trio

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Heroic Trio
Review: Starring Anita Mui ('Rumble In The Bronx'), Michelle Yeoh ('Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') and Maggie Cheung ('In The Mood For Love') as three crime-fighting superheroines in Hong Kong's answer to Gotham City, 'The Heroic Trio' is a high-kicking, crimson-soaked comic book action romp that could only come out of our favourite country for hi-octane beat-em-ups. As you might have guessed, it's hardly Oscar-winning stuff; the plot is at times incomprehensible, the sets cheap and the acting camp, but it all adds to the charm. This is, after all, not a film to be analysed, but enjoyed with popcorn on a Friday night. And, as that, it succeeds - the action sequences are very exciting, the wire work is well done, the original score is superb and, of course, our three leading ladies light up the screen at every turn. But those weak in the knee may wish to turn away at certain points as it does get a tad grisley at times, what with decapitations, exploding body parts, cannibalism and baby-murdering. Indeed, the violence is so over-the-top at times that it becomes not so much offensive as it does laughable. Which was probably the idea.

So while the movie itself is recommended, Buena Vista's DVD release definitely isn't. The Disney company has once again seen fit to edit yet another Asian movie for its Western market - this time by three minutes to remove the aforementioned gory moments. And, as expected, the original Cantonese soundtrack has been replaced with a dreadful English dub and generic score - denying us the pleasure of hearing Anita Mui's two excellent songs. Still, this is what we've come to expect from the distributor that seems to delight in infuriating hardcore Chinese film fans. Those wishing to own the uncut version of the film would be advised to seek out the 'Universe' DVD from Hong Kong or the now out-of-print 'Tai Seng' American release. Better still (if you have PAL/Region 2 capabilities), waiting for the forthcoming remastered Special Edition from British DVD label 'Hong Kong Legends' would be the ideal solution.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The Heroic Trio
Review: The bad editing turned me off to this movie. I didn't need to see the wires to know that they were using them. Thru the whole movie I spotted items that should have been edited out.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: these ain't no angels
Review: The Heroic Trio is your typical over-the-top Hong Kong action flick, with outrageous stunts and action that will have you choking on your popcorn in astonishment (I guarantee you will never forget the decapitation cage or the motorcycle flying sideways through the air-- among other things). Though it has been compared to Charlie's Angels, this is much more a comic book fantasy, and if you accept it on the level of Batman or Spiderman, then you'll do just fine. My only complaint is that the women have an amazing ability to recover from their injuries. And the last line is a hoot; after accessorizing their outfits with capes, the one says, "The press are coming; we have to look good." (!!) If only more of the dialogue was that goofy. Still, after one viewing you'll be saying Lucy, Cameron, and Drew Who?


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