6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An international crime syndicate searching for a secret formula uses sexual torture to find it.
Starring: Annette Haven, James Hong, Pamela Yen, Sharon Thorpe, Lou GanapolerErotic | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
None
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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”).
"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.
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.
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.
Remastered Edition
1974
1982
Slipcover Edition | Limited to 2,000
1979
1975
1976
Slipcover Edition | Limited to 2,000
1974
1974
1977
Peekarama Collection
1981
1985
Peekarama
1985
1974
1977
1979
1989
1987
1983
Limited Edition of 1500
1978
1978
Mélusine / Slipcover in Original Pressing
1981