Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Wonder Women Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 31, 2018

‘70s cinema doesn’t get more ‘70s than “Wonder Women.” It’s an ego-stroke production from 1973, with co-writer/director Robert Vincent O’Neill assembling a bizarre thriller that’s steeped in weird science, loaded with scantily clad women, set in Manila, scored to thumpy funk jams, and delivers stunts where actual safety standards were set aside to capture the intensity of recklessness. Perhaps it’s not the first movie that comes to mind when discussing the thickness of era-specific influence, but O’Neill initially tries to make something exciting, coming out the other end with a true curiosity that muddies empowerment displays and sexuality, but is frequently willing to endanger lives to provide some cheap thrills. “Wonder Women” is pretty much everything exploitation should be, with the production maintaining focus on sellable mayhem, not dramatic consistency.

Keeping order in her Manila compound, Dr. Tsu (Nancy Kwan) is working on the perfection of human transplants, finding a breakthrough that permits the average body to accept any new addition. To make a fortune, Dr. Tsu and her assistant, Gregorious (Sid Haig), plan out the mass kidnaping of athletes, with designs to sell pieces of victims for a premium price. One of the missing is a top Jai Alai player, with his absence triggering a potential insurance payment from Lloyd’s of London. Called in to investigate is Mike (Ross Hagen), a no-nonsense type traveling to Manila to make quick work of the case, only to find himself in deep with Dr. Tsu’s criminal influence and her army of trained female assassins. Joined by loyal taxi driver Lapu-Lapu (Vic Diaz), Mike tries to infiltrate inner circles, gradually discovering the nightmare Dr. Tsu is creating behind the walls of her fortress.

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of “Wonder Women” is how the effort managed to secure a PG rating when the main titles feature shots of topless women swimming and playing around a pool. The rest of the endeavor is filled with graphic violence (including a trip to a cockfighting arena), and there’s a lengthy detour into Dr. Tsu’s laboratory where she decides to share the miracle of her “Brain Sex” machine with Mike, who, as expected, enjoys a full orgasm alongside his host. Granted, movie ratings were very different back in the day, but here’s a PG picture that plays decidedly R-rated, which helps with the film’s element of surprise, and it’s never clear what type of aggression or body part is coming around the corner. While it’s difficult to assign praise to “Wonder Women” for something it had nothing to do with, there’s still a kick to the viewing experience, which initially promises softer sleuthing, only to hit the audience with more salacious visuals and throat-piercing violence.

Mike isn’t a cop, he’s an insurance inspector, but “Wonder Women” likes to position the detective as a 007 type, always charming his way in and out of danger. Hagen is committed to the part, playing the tourist as a pushy, cocky figure of intimidation, handling challenges with ease and bedding women without blinking, including Linda (Maria De Aragon, who played Greedo in close-ups for “A New Hope”), one of Dr. Tsu’s top assassins, who rewards sexual fulfillment by trying to kill the satisfied man. The screenplay doesn’t dig too deeply into Mike’s psychological profile, keeping him more of a studly man of action, defending himself from multiple attacks. These chase sequences are the centerpieces of “Wonder Women,” watching O’Neill use as much of Manila as he can get away with, moving from cabs to streets to buildings to rivers to keep energy up, which is a fine way to add some visual variation to a low-budget thriller. Also keeping eyes on the screen are bits of local color, showcasing the bustling activity at a Jai Alai center and the aforementioned cockfighting arena, and crooks such as Won Ton Charlie are questioned in the early going, giving the feature an initial impression of detective work to come.

Also of interest are the inner workings of Dr. Tsu’s lair, with the Dr. Moreau-esque figure happily chopping up bodies for sale, keeping monstrous mistakes locked up in cells to remind herself just how far she’s come. While “Wonder Women” has its macabre moments, O’Neill doesn’t push his luck with gore, keeping ghoulishness to a minimum, showing more interest in the Brain Sex machine than the grim particulars of a plan to rejuvenate lives through advanced surgery. Kwan does quite well with evil authority, keeping steady as a Bond villain with a most unusual plan to build an empire, starting with power and might of a premiere Jai Alai elite.

Wonder Women Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Wonder Women" makes a strong impression for its HD debut, with Vinegar Syndrome issuing a fresh scan from a 35mm negative to power the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. The results are very nice, leading with bright primaries to secure the movie's semi-sci-fi look, with deeper reds and greens emerging in laboratory scenes, while period costuming is lively. Manila storefronts and street activity also shares bolder hues, and greenery is striking at times. Skintones are natural. Detail is healthy, surveying set decoration and makeup effects, while close-ups delivers sharper facial particulars. Distances retain depth, and costumes maintain silkiness and sheerness. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and filmic. Source has a few rough reel changes and blotches.

Wonder Women Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't supported with sharpness, with age dulling the track to a certain degree, but the essentials of performance are there to enjoy, finding dialogue exchanges adequate, delivering necessary dramatic information. Scoring is a bit heavier, with a funky rhythm to go along with chases and brawls. Sound effects are loud, offering snappy gunfire and car crashes.

Wonder Women Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Robert Vincent O'Neill.

• European Cut (90:15, HD) is offered.

• Q&A (12:44, SD) is taken from a 2007 celebration of "Wonder Women" at the New Beverly Cinema, with O'Neill, Nancy Kwan, Ross Hagen, Sid Haig, and Roberta Collins in attendance. While there's an upbeat mood to the reunion and a few anecdotes shared about the shoot in the Philippines, only part of the event is presented here, with age and damage claiming most of the conversation, including audience questions.

• T.V. Spots (1:50, HD) offer three clips for examination.

• Still Gallery (1:07) includes poster art and lobby cards.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:55, HD) is included.

Wonder Women Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Wonder Women" does well with minimal complications, keeping Mike on the case, working his way into Dr. Tsu's compound to see what's going on inside the madhouse. Trouble comes with the finale, with a definite conclusion soon steamrolled by a bizarre postscript that has nothing to do with the action that precedes it, adding confusion to a movie that can't carry the load. It's a lengthy bit of padding that's takes some of the wind out of O'Neill's sails, but it doesn't extinguish the primal viewing experience of "Wonder Women," which remains exciting enough to pass. At the very least, there's some remarkable abuse of Manila streets and (occasionally) citizens who get in the way, keeping the decade's film production wildness intact, helping to support a reasonably weirdo mad scientist story.