Film Review: Lethal Panther (1991) by Godfrey Ho

The 1990's found Hong Kong cinema exploding into the minds and hearts of cinema lovers across the world. “Heroic Bloodshed” had become a genre in itself, The “Girls with Guns” wave lead by Michelle Yeoh was proving popular and category III with an increase in sexually explicit content was also finding a profitable market. So naturally, in the commercial mindset of the industry, someone was meant to combine the three. That man was Godfrey Ho and the film was “Lethal Panther”

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Betty Lee (Sibelle Hui) is an agent trying to bring down a counterfeiting ring. After finding out the boss, she is caught in the crossfire, as two assassins take him out. She duels with Eileen (Maria Jo) as Amy (Miyamoto Yoko) finishes the job. It transpires his subordinate Bill Wong (Lawrence Ng) was the instigator and carnage erupts, as he seeks to clean up after himself. Assassins join forces as betrayal, loyalty and revenge lead to a violent conclusion.

Sibelle Hui is extensively doubled in her fight sequences, a fact made very noticeable by the doubles wig being completely different from her own hairstyle! The gun play is suitably violent and extensive slow motion is used throughout. Despite the low budget, some of the action does have an impact, although the constraints do show through. Clearly, every henchman is required to wear shades and a suit as wouldn't be a John Woo imitation without it.

The John Woo influence is more than just the use of slow motion in the action scenes. Aspects of his work are liberally appropriated throughout. The famous restaurant scene from “A Better Tomorrow” is reworked, the handler unable to use his gun hand is a “The Killer” rip off as is the harmonica playing of an assassin. The soundtrack is a collection of scores from other movies which left this reviewer's brains hurting as was trying to recollect one particular piece that turned out to be from “Casualties of War”.

Despite the titles showing scenes in USA, Hong Kong, Japan and Manila, it's clear this production was shot in the Philippines as the footage is the same. With one fight in the USA using the same street half an hour later in Manila!

Acting wise, “Lethal Panther” veers wildly. Maria Jo and Miyamoto Yolo are quite serviceable as the lead hit women. Maria Jo's Eileen has more backstory, which even features the dreaded “Vietnam Flashback Syndrome” that seemed to crop up in every American movie that referenced the conflict. Lawrence Ng of “Sex and Zen” fame just has the look of a sleazy gang boss and seemed to be forever cast in these sorts of roles, despite having played the occasional romantic lead. Sibelle Hui appears to have been on set for no more than a day or two. Appearing infrequently to provide exposition and beat up a Gwaillo or two, which given their acting comes as a relief. Alex Fong and Ken Lo appear in the supporting cast in early minor roles also, which means watching in retrospect gives the impression of a decent cast. The western actors unfortunately are uniformly dreadful. I suspect this might be less noticeable to local audiences where English is not a first language but to call them wooden would be an insult to trees.

My principle gripe with “Lethal Panther” is the category III elements that were clearly added to exploit the boom in that area that had also occured. The sex scenes are not erotic, most add nothing to the narrative and in fact slow it down to a halt. One scene in particular just doesn't need to be there at all, as it features two characters that only appear in one scene afterwards and is possibly one of the least erotic sequences you will ever see. In fact, it's hard not to start laughing. Remove these scenes and Iit would actually improve the tempo and the production in general.

Godfrey Ho has had a lengthy career. Undeniably an exploitation film maker, his work is very much that of a magpie. From Brucesploitaion to Ninja movies, he would be crafting cheap product for international markets. It's hard to say whether he had an actual “style” as would generally be shooting quick and throwing everything at the camera. This is a more coherent work but as a consistent piece it is torpedoed by its more exploitative elements. I enjoyed it for the most part, as is one of those “so bad it's good” releases that entertains precisely because of its inefficiencies but removing the unnecessarily “erotic” parts would have made a big difference. One to watch without a brain switched on or you are not feeling too demanding.