Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

China Girl Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 18, 2017

Adult cinema visits the superspy genre in 1974’s “China Girl,” which delivers a 007-ish take on global threat, evil organizations, and erotic enticements, executed with a certain cinematic flair not always found in such saucy endeavors. Director Paul Aratow is tasked with completing the basics in coupling and naughty interactions, but he also takes time with performances, helping to bridle the potential outrageousness of the “China Girl” world of spying with some unexpectedly effective turns, including a primary villain played by James Hong, from “Big Trouble in Little China” fame (credited here as “James Young”).

Dragon is an evil organization bent on controlling the world. It’s run by Chan (James Hong), who shows no mercy to anyone daring to disrupt drug trafficking interests, joined by underling Madame Woo (Pamela Yen), who’s fearful of her boss’s capacity for cruelty. Dragon is eager to take possession of a special mind-control formula, already selling the drug to Mr. Smythe (Louis Ganapoler), who’s paying top dollar for fast results. Also out to claim control of the drug is U.S. spy Chase (Tom Douglass), who’s been tasked with protecting biochemist Teresa (Annette Haven) from harm, only to lose her during one of Chan’s devious schemes. While Teresa is subjected to Madame Woo’s sexual torture, pleasuring her to a point of submission, Chase hunts for revenge, battling his way into Dragon’s compound.

While the mood for “China Girl” is set during an introductory display of Chan’s ruthlessness when dealing with betrayal, the production really establishes its vibe during the animated main titles, which merges musical funk and visuals blue enough to make Ralph Bakshi blush. It’s crude but effective, allowing the picture to avoid adult film cliché and offer something other than straightforward carnality. In fact, the sex takes some time to get to in “China Girl,” with the screenplay (credited to Edwin Brown) more enchanted with the mechanics of the plot, working steadily to introduce the players in this war of seduction, witnessing the government send one man to protect the special formula from evil interests. Of course, Dragon isn’t your everyday collection of bad dudes, content to extract necessary information through the art of pleasure, putting Teresa’s male colleagues though absolute hell via group sex. It’s one of a few goofy ideas that are executed quite well, teasing campy extremes without toppling over.

China Girl Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Scanned and restored in 2K from 16mm camera negative," "China Girl" comes through exactly as expected during the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Clarity reaches as far as the original cinematography will allow (softness is intended, and there are focal challenges to endure), providing a passable look at production achievements, including costuming, locations, and interiors. Actors are also revealed, permitting a look at thespian endeavors and bedroom antics, and close-ups supply decent facial particulars, including a prolonged peek at Annette Haven's arch-like eyebrows. Colors are refreshed to satisfaction, bringing out hearty reds and blues, while skintones remain natural throughout. Delineation is comfortable. Grain is heavy but filmic.

China Girl Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built to wow, working through the basics in dramatic exchanges, which show some age, but everything remain intelligible, juggling accents adequately. Scoring is enjoyable, and the opening soundtrack offering retains a heavy funk presence. Sexual response reaches a few fuzzy highs, but never hits excessive distortion.

China Girl Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Interview (21:53) with Annette Haven covers the length of her career, including her interest in joining the adult film industry as a form of empowerment. Haven offers highly rehearsed answers, but she's open to discussing her experiences.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:16, HD) is included.

China Girl Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The cast comes prepared, finding Haven in control as Teresa (a woman of science who welcomes the challenge of multiple partners, shocking Dragon) and Douglass dashing as Chase. But it's Hong's turn that's the most impressive, delivering a level of screen villainy normally reserved for a proper B-movie. "China Girl" isn't Shakespeare and Hong knows it, but there's effort to doing something for the camera, providing a terrific antagonist with a pronounced Bond bend, playing nicely with Yen, who often struggles to keep up. That "China Girl" works better as a modest spy game than an adult movie is shocking. While the writhing bodies are suitably distracting, there's enough escapism in the film to pass, only lacking a few robust action sequences to compete with the basics in drive-in entertainment.