Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Women on the Run Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 9, 2025

1993’s “Women on the Run” inspects a tight situation for two characters caught up in police corruption, romantic ruin, and drug dealers. It’s meant to be an action event from director David Lai (joined by Corey Yuen), but the picture doesn’t always remember to stay active and dangerous. It’s more of a melodrama with occasional breaks for heated encounters, and Lai is never quite sure if he’s making a movie about empowerment or exploitation, leading to a few disastrous storytelling detours. “Women on the Run” is brightly performed by leads Tamara Guo and Farini Cheung, and it offers periodic distractions in physical challenges. However, there’s not enough momentum to the offering to keep it entertaining, especially with screenwriting that’s determined to get ugly to pull a response out of viewers.

Yin (Tamara Guo) was once a young woman with promise, working to become a martial arts champion in China. Men ruined her spirit, but Chiu seemed different, taking her to Hong Kong for a new life. Unfortunately, Chiu is just as bad as the rest, transforming Yin into a heroin addict and prostitute, stuck in a terrible situation. During a fight, Yin kills her pimp, escaping to the city, eventually caught by Officer Hung (Farini Cheung), who’s in a relationship with Seargent David (Wai-Tak Wong). The Hong Kong cops are looking to organize a major bust, targeting drug trafficker King Kong, using Yin as a way to identify the villains, pairing her to Hung to land the arrest. Everything goes wrong with the situation, soon putting the women on the run as they try to make sense of betrayals and avoid capture, moving from China to Canada to Hong Kong to help clear their names.

Yin doesn’t have it easy in “Women on the Run,” working hard to become a major force in the world of martial arts, only to have male influences ruin it for her. Her character arc is a severe one, as everyone is out to destroy her fierceness, including Chiu, who promises love, only to betray her trust. In Hong Kong, she’s a junkie and a prostitute, immediately bottoming her out, but redemption is difficult to come by in the script, which often plays her addiction for laughs. Weirdness is common in “Women on the Run,” extending to Hung’s relationship with David, who elects to suck on her fresh wounds after a high fall to sell his seductive ways. There’s a lot of “what?” in the picture, and the actual plot of the offering is somewhat difficult to understand, mostly concerning Hong Kong cops trying to bust a Chinese drug lord, though nobody can be trusted.

Action makes periodic appearances in “Women on the Run,” keeping up with Yin and Hung as they attempt to avoid capture, soon handcuffed together after a series of legal entanglements. The production uses building scaffolding and an airport to create some choreographed chaos, and the lead character faces plenty of unsavory types, including King Kong, who’s out to make a fortune in heroin, tentatively dealing with a set-up for his arrest, which doesn’t go as planned. Suspense isn’t present in “Women on the Run,” but excess is, largely funneled into a sequence where a gang of thugs (who openly kick a dog to death, just in case you didn’t understand their intentions) find and sexually assault a fatigued and frightened Yin and Hung. Why the production felt the need to drive a somewhat carefree movie into this kind of oppressive, film-stopping darkness is a question Lai has no interest in answering.

Women on the Run Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative." "Women on the Run" isn't a particularly flashy endeavor, but style remain appreciable during the viewing experience. Color stays active, working with the hot neon lights and signage of the city, joined by costuming offering bright primaries. Cooler city tours are explored, and greenery is distinct. Skin tones are natural. Detail is healthy, exploring skin particulars on the cast and makeup enhancements. Interiors remain dimensional, examining decorative additions. Exteriors are deep, securing an appreciation of Hong Kong action and Canadian locations. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is hit by points of damages, resulting in a few spotty stretches and scratches.

Women on the Run Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA Cantonese mix provides a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, managing the somewhat excitable nature of the performances without slipping into distortive extremes. Scoring is simplistic but provides satisfactory support, delivering a sharp synth sound throughout the listening event. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable. An English dub is also available, providing a muddier understanding of film elements.

Women on the Run Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet offers an essay by Erica Shultz.

• Commentary features film historian Travis Woods.

• "Hong Kong's 'Thelma & Louise'" (16:46, HD) is a video conference interview with producer/co-director David Lai, who tracks the development of his career, finding his way to the responsibilities of direction in 1982's "Lonely Fifteen." After a decade in the "Asian markets," Lai connected with Corey Yuen, itching to break into the international scene, looking to create a picture about "lady heroines" to help attract attention. The interviewee celebrates Yuen's contribution, in awe of his command of action, helping to make his features special, and creative inspiration is identified after the debut of "Thelma & Louise," aiming to piggyback on the release of the Hollywood hit. Casting is highlighted, working hard to build the stars of the endeavor into action heroes, developing their stunt skills. Lai analyzes characterization, and shares some technical challenges from the shoot.

• "What You See Is What You Get" (22:50, HD) is a video conference interview with production manager Michael Parker and line producer Shan Tam. Personal histories are shared, as Tam made her way to Canada from Hong Kong, meeting Parker, inspiring the creation of their production company. Taking their business to Vancouver, jobs were plentiful, including "Women on the Run." Job responsibilities are detailed, helping to find locations and support the shoot, and Tam offers an anecdote about her time with Yuen and his speedy way of working. Memories from the making of "Women on the Run" are provided, identifying stunt demands and street action around Vancouver. Talk also turns to a controversial action set piece in the endeavor, reinforcing thespian safety. The couple provides their gratefulness for the gig and positive experience working with the filmmakers.

• "Corey Yuen and Girls with Guns" (12:30, HD) is a video essay by Samm Deighan.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:08, HD) is included.

Women on the Run Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Women on the Run" can be a baffling viewing experience, going from high-flying escapism to mean-spiritedness without warning. Characterization is blurry at best, and while the endeavor hopes to dazzle by offering a guns blazing finale set inside a movie studio, it kills off the sugar rush with an annoyingly abrupt ending, putting the burden of resolution on a sequel that was never made. "Women on the Run" doesn't have much to say about different forms of addiction and the curse of men, and its forays into action aren't very stimulating. At least the leads are trying to give the production their all, presenting alert performances, only to be stuck in a film that doesn't know what to do with such concentration and female perspective.