The Inspector Wears Skirt 3 has the SKIRTS taking on arms dealers on a Casino Boat. New on Blu-ray from 88 Films!
The Film
There’s no need to recap or even know the stories from the previous two The Inspector Wears Skits films because The Inspector Wears Skirts 3 makes no sense when added to the series. In fact, it’s supposed to be a whole new team though the actors are all the same minus a few key exceptions. It makes literally no sense whatsoever narratively. Though the action is crisp when it does occur.
The SKIRTS are basically reform to take down a major arms dealer that’s doing his deals aboard a casino Cruise line. The ladies, minus Madame Wu (Sibelle Hu), go on board with Inspector Kahn (Stanley Sui-Fan Fung) and Nam (Billy Lau) to ensure everything goes to plan. Nothing goes according to plan and chaotic gunplay ensues.
It’s not that it’s a terrible film once it figures out what it wants to be and throws out the training (which is highly sexist and racist amongst other things) the film becomes an excellent action-comedy. The boat is the perfect fertile ground for the various multiple storylines that play out. Though the bulk of the film takes place at the training facility – and falls flat with the recycled gags, comedy set pieces, and even drama.
Though, there is a wildly chaotic prank that stretches the limits of what is possible. That being said it is truly hilariously cruel to a character that’s earned the cruelty. When I speak of what they do it would make Todd Phillip blush.
Overall, The Inspector Wears Skirts 3 is serviceable, a questionable and lazy first hour but an inspired final 30 minutes. One just wishes writer/director Wellson Chin had flipped the time, especially considering how well the last half works.
The Transfer
The all-new 2K Restoration in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio from the original negatives is another stunner from 88 Films and consistent with the first two releases of the series. The work done here is simply jaw-dropping. The film literally looks like it was filmed yesterday. The only problem lies within the opening title sequence, which looks pretty dirty, which is an affection of the actual optical printing process, not indicative of the actual transfer itself. Other than the titles the transfer is sharp, and clean without any hints of scratches or blemishes on the negative. The color reproduction and contrast levels are as good as Blu-ray can possibly be. I never tire of saying that 88 Films has got another winner on their hands with this excellent transfer. They treat these Asian Genre titles with the respect they deserve.
The Extras
They include the following;
- Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng
- Deleted Scene
- Hong Kong Trailer
NOTE: The audio commentary can be accessed in the SETUP menu, not the SPECIAL FEATURES as in the first two releases.
The all-new Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng begins with his credentials and discussion about the titles. Some of the details include the releases and the box office success of the film; the reasons for the title and the lack of the Inspect Wear Skirts title – well it is very small font; the independent film production rather than production through Golden Harvest; the lack of action – until the ending; the comedy which far outweighs the action; a personal and professional history of Stanley Fung – including his own directorial career; the nightmare and prank they pull on Fung’s character and a discussion of horror being a niche genre in Hong Kong; a larger discussion of the action finale – including a discussion of the various stunt performers that appear in the film; a discussion of the various comedy cultural bits that may be loss on westerns; the various film references they parody in the film both familiar and unfamiliar to western audiences; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down because Frank goes fast with the various titles the different actors had been in and were famous; and much more. Djeng delivers another well-researched and informative commentary track that’s the perfect companion piece to his track from the first two entries of the series.
Deleted Scene (1:55) – the additional scene is actually an extended scene from Amy’s card game with the Arms Dealer. Pulled from what looks like a VHS dub. Cantonese with English Subtitles.
Hong Kong Trailer (4:55) – Cantonese with English Subtitles.
The Final Thought
88 Films continues to produce great editions of Asian Genre films, this edition of The Inspector Wears Skirts 3 is no different. Recommended!!!