88 Films UK Blu-ray Synopsis: Hong Kong’s toughest team of fearless lady cops are back on the beat! These female furies are forced to take on both their male counterparts in a battle of the sexes and a team of foreign mercenaries. Action legend Jackie Chan’s lethal ladies include Shaw Brothers icon Wai Yin-hung (‘My Young Auntie’), Sibelle Hu (‘Fong Sai Yuk’) and the bodacious Amy Yip (‘Robotrix’). The film’s stunning action scenes are again delivered by the Jackie Chan stunt team, who also co-star in the film.‘The Inspector Wears Skirts 2’ lays down its own brand of law with a madcap action comedy blend of the mirthful and the martial! (96 Mins)

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Deltamac HK DVD Synopsis: Hong Kong's police force boasts of two of the world's finest anti-crime task forces – the Flying Tigers and the Banshees. After Madam Sybelle and her Banshees have put ring leaders of a notorious jewelry gang behind bars, they return to routine training. And leader Kan of the Flying Tigers returns to admiring Sybelle at a distance. Lo, the anti-terrorist expert, is to inspect the Tigers and Banshees. A strengthened diet of training is introduced amid the moans and groans. The petty rivalries and misunderstanding, continue, surfacing even at a dancing party. Kan is saddened to see Lo steals his thunder when Sybelle is around... (92 Mins)

 

Views: Rushed into production and released only 6 months after the box-office success of part one, The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 is more about comedy and less about action – but it still has its moments! Produced by Jackie Chan once again, The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 opens with a fantastical dream sequence that sees Sandra Ng character of Amy promoted and Sibelle Hu's Madame Wu demoted. Now in charge, Amy sets about terrorising her former commander and team mates with harsh training regimes, then further abuses her powers by threatening to execute one of the Tiger Squad members with a rocket launcher. Of course, this is the complete opposite of how her life really is and soon, back in reality, poor Amy is suffering more of the same with corporal punishment, tough training regimes, and abuse from her male colleagues!

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While many of the original cast members return for the first sequel of the series, such as the aforementioned Sibelle Hu and Sandra Ng, along with Shaw Brothers queen Kara Hui, Regina Kent, Stanley Fung, Billy Lau, Mars, Bill Tung, Johnny Cheung, Ricky Hui, Ken Lo and others, the story introduces four new members to the Banshee Squad who don't really connect with the original team. After plenty of squabbles, back stabbing, and cat-fighting, the squad eventually learn to work with each other and join the Tiger Squad for a new mission to take down some terrorists. Two of these new additions include the wonderful Amy Yip and May Lo Mei Mei – wife of Hong Kong superstar and pop idol Jacky Cheung. Making her debut in Donnie Yen's Mismatched Couples, May went onto star in 30 films over the next decade including many Andy Lau flicks such as City Kids 1989, Return Engagement, No Risk No Gain, The Last Blood, and Dances With Dragon. Amy Yip, who had a similar length of time in the industry with a few more titles behind her, had already cameo-ed in the first Inspector Wears Skirts film, briefly popping up at the start of the film when the new cadets are gathering in the classroom. In fact, she had only just came into the film world with her role here only being her third after a turn in the 1987 comedy Who Is The Craftiest alongside co-stars Bill Tung and Ricky Hui, and a small role in George Lam's Heart To Hearts which also saw an appearance from May Lo and Anglie Leung – who, incidently, plays another of the squad members here.

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On top of that, viewers are entertained with a love triangle between Sibelle Hu, Stanley Fung, and a new officer on the scene – played by the wonderful Melvin Wong, a hugely recognisable actor who had been acting in Hong Kong movies for well over a decade by this stage. From Descendants Of Wing Chun to Ghost Nursing, and Yes Madam to Righting Wrongs, Wong fast became a favourite for many Hong Kong film fans and is always a joy to see on screen and is still appearing in films today. Fans will enjoy his well choreographed and fun sparring match with the hilarious Stanley Fong as they each fight over the attention of Madam Wu. In fact, it's only one of a few action sequences sprinkled throughout, with the first two thirds of the film really focusing on the comedic side of things. This is mostly left in the hands of the great Sandra Ng, with The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 really becoming her show – proving that Golden Harvest clearly saw her potential and the benefit in her comedy timing. And rightly so! From her debut alongside co-star Kara Hui in Sammo Hung's fantastic Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars to her run of Golden Chicken movies and so much more, Sandra Ng has went onto become a highly respected and award winning actress who has also added the credits of producer and director to her resume, and to great acclaim.

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While the comedy is heavy, it's also very hit and miss - although genuinely funny for the most part. That said, The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 lacks any drive or coherent plot line, mainly regurgitating the best ideas from part one and quite obviously missing the presence of martial-arts action star, Cynthia Rothrock. And much like before, we are even treated to another dance number – this time at Madame Wu's birthday party which revolves around potential couples making each other jealous. Strewn throughout, we get to enjoy more torturous training and prat falls as well as another fun martial arts contest between the squads that allows the Jackie Chan Stunt Team members to show off, a fun showdown in the canteen between old and new squad members, and the aforementioned showdown between Fung and Wong.​ But action fans can rejoice in its closing chapter as the last 15 minutes takes a turn for the better as a gang sets out to rescue their boss from a travelling police van. The man in question is played, once again, by wushu wonder-boy Jeff Falcon – and while it's not clear whether this is the same character from part one, I like to think that it is in order to bring some consistency to this entry. He is joined by a team of recognisable bad guys including the brilliant Bruce Fontaine, John Ladalski, and Dan Mintz, as well as Jackie Chan Stunt Team members and brothers, Rocky Lai and Benny Lai,with the former also doubling duties as the assistant director of the film. Although it seems like an after thought and gives no real background to the mission, the grand finale still proves to be a great closure with both commando squads giving their all against the fearsome terrorists. The finale location looks very similar to that of an action sequence in Sibelle Hu's Devil Hunters which was also shot the same year, and allows for plenty of fun moments including Amy Yip's hilarious bulletproof bra, and a wonderful fight on and around an inflatable dinghy inside a bunker!

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So with that, it's only fair to say that The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 continues the series reputation as the Hong Kong version of Police Academy, and much like its Hollywood counterpart, is clearly far from perfect yet still manages to offer up plenty to enjoy along the way. I must also note that the new 2K restoration from 88 Films actually made the whole thing a much more enjoyable experience (when compared to my old DVD version), highlighting more fun and excitement with the fight scenes, as well as revealing a neatly made film overall...

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Overall: Not as action packed or as fun as the first, The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 still has some redeeming qualities and a fantastic finale that's worth catching!

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88 Films Blu-ray Extras: 2K Restoration, Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng, Interviews with Wellson Chin, Mars & Stuntman Go Shut Fung, Trailer, Stills Gallery

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Deltamac DVD Extras: Trailers

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Get your copy HERE

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Watch my unboxing video for the 88 Films Blu-ray release HERE