Cleopatra Wong (1978)

Perfect cast and a good story

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The idea of this movie - a sexy female secret agent - was not a new idea even when this movie was made. However, it all the same had some great possibilities for both sleaze and action. Unfortunately, the potential was nowhere near realized by these particular filmmakers. There is no nudity by the lead figure or any other character in the movie, and while there is sex, it's so tamely staged that it could play in prime time television with absolutely no edits. When it comes to action, things are not that much better. The martial arts sequences are old school style, and not particularly well choreographed or directed. Occasionally they are lame enough to generate a slight chuckle, I admit, but not often enough. The other parts of the movie do once in a while generate some extra unintended humor, but the total number of laughs is pretty limited. The movie for the most part is pretty dull and feeble, and it's hard to believe it was an international success.

"Cleopatra Wong" lives up to its title in the first half: there is very little plot and quite a lot of action, and it's all about the title character, an Interpol agent, traveling from (Asian) country to country and getting into brawl after brawl as she's trying to shut down a counterfeiting ring. The editing can be crude at times and Marrie Lee (Cleo) doesn't really have a distinctive fighting style, but every now and then she will do an unorthodox move that will have you rewinding the tape / DVD and wondering how she did that. But in the second half the film becomes a team effort, and Cleo kind of takes a back seat to the four other (male) agents that join her in her efforts. The entire second half takes place in a monastery (where the counterfeiters have disguised themselves as monks and nuns!), and don't be surprised if you feel the need to use your fast-forward button. ** out of 4.

"She purrs like a kitten, makes love like a siren. This side of the Pacific, she's the meanest, deadliest, and sexiest secret agent" That's the tagline for the movie, and it's Singapore's answer to the 70s female action powerhouses like Charlie's Angels. Cleopatra Wong (Doris Young aka Marrie Lee) is an international Interpol agent whose mission in this film is to crack an illegal counterfeiting group whose sole objective is to destabilize the currencies of ASEAN countries Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philppines.Sounds diabolical, doesn't it? And it's a job only a cosmopolitan agent like Cleo Wong can handle, as she jet sets from Singapore to Hong Kong to the Philippines, hot on the trail of these crooks, manufacturing fake currencies in a convent. She even shows her leadership qualities in leading an all male group of agents on the attack of the crooks hideout against machine gun-totting fake nuns.Shown as the "Female Big Boss", the montage at the beginning shows the abilities of Cleo Wong as top fighter and archer, whom even Robin Hood is no match for with her simultaneous firing of 3 arrows, blowing up a helicopter in the process (yes, they did blow up a helicopter, back in the 70s for this show!) With older films, what catches the eye is usually the environment and the state of development of Singapore at that time. Here, we viewed the Paya Lebar International Airport, an old 70s Mercedes Benz, and the city skyline which has many buildings noticeably absent. We go from the mainland to Sentosa via cable car, following Cleo's footsteps, and come across vastly different and sparse beaches that we're unfamiliar with today. Local actor/DJ Brian Richmond also had a role in this film as Cleo's Singapore boss.I overheard the people around me laugh and shake their heads on the impossibility of some scenes - like Cleo Wong single-handedly taking on 3 wrestlers (one of whom is local famous wrestler Mehar Singh), and leaping (yes, leaping without aid) over tall walls in escape. Or the scenes in which the raid on the hideout using guns resulted in prolonged and painful (no pun intended) death scenes. I suppose one must take into context the sign of the times, where kung-fu action was punctuated with exaggerated sound effects, and where the slightest punch will effect in maximum flying damage.All in all, it's a fun film which one shouldn't miss. This was the film that was produced for an international audience, and one which resulted in catching the eye of Quentin Tarantino! Cleopatra Wong definitely lived up to her tagline.Those interested in catching this film, there will be additional screenings at The Arts House on 22 Aug 05 Mon 2130hrs and 23 Aug 05 Tue 1900hrs.

This was my favorite movie when I was young (6 or 7 years). I don't really remember everything except for the fight scenes. All I remember of this movie is that the actress is beautiful and that she fights well! I try to find this movie for years.