Black Cat (1991)

A Chinese girl who has chip implanted in her brain, and brain washed to be a perfect weapon finds herself loose in America. Much like in Rambo, she finds herself in lot of violent situation and trouble with the locals and the police, She gets picked up by the Chinese agency that did all this to her. She then continues her job as the perfect assassin, and a weapon of destruction.When I first saw this movie in the '90s, the theme seemed too far fetched. The premise of the story was too far out there for me to relate to. This caused me to lose interest in the story. But now that we know that there really is a super soldier program like this called the MK ULTRA, and it's off shoot the Monarch project conducted by the US (secret) government, I now realize that this movie was actually 15 years ahead of its time.Like in real life there is no spy like James Bond, who's so visible to the public, there is no super soldier like Hei Mao (Black Cat) in real life. So this movie is like a James Bond version of the MK ULTRA. Even the part that she has a "chip" implanted in her brain is like the real life MK ULTRA soldier Duncan O'Finion. I'd have to applaud the far reaching imagination of the script writers.The movie is really vividly made with settings done like a real life MK ULTRA soldier might be in. Like she appears in the U.S. as a starters. The story could have taken place 100% in China or Hong Kong, but for some reason the writers chose "America" for the killings to take place. Her mode of operation, her relation to the agency that created her. The way the agency "calls" her to activate her, all are straight out of MK ULTRA.Was all this a coincidence, or did the writers knew more than they are alluding to in this movie ? With the real life MK ULTRA soldiers coming out nowadays, the (Black) cat is out of the bag.

Tagline: Trashy HK entertainment at its best… Review by Neo: HK in the 90s is known for creating just as much trash as classic movies. Black Cat does not qualify as a classic, but as far as trashy entertainment is concerned, it is really pure guilty pleasure. Imagine, someone who killed a police and in the process being recruited by the CIA and somehow become a CIA agent. As bizarre as it seems, it didn't really matter, as the film is ultimately fun in a trashy way.In the early 90s, it is almost truism to say that any movie that look trashy, sleazy and with some degree of sexual tension, there will be the ever dependable Simon Yam. Yam is easily an underrated actor, whose talent is still yet to be recognised within the HK Films Award. It is a shame as Yam is certainly someone who has come a long way since those Cat III days and one just need to glimpse at recent films like Eye in the Sky and Election for any indication. Here he is the typical early 90s Simon Yam, whose screen presence alone allows him to ease through his supporting role.Playing the title character of the Black Cat is Jade Leung, her raw and uncomforting acting makes her perfect for the role. The opening scene may seem a bit too staged, but Leung's facial expressions when she kills the guy and the cop is just priceless to endure. However, due to not fault to Leung's effort, one must wonder why the director Stephen Shin didn't bother developing her character further. While the Black Cat succeeds in being trashy yet entertaining, it is once again another case of what could have been. With the ending perfectly panned out for a sequel following, Black Cat 2 is already on the list of upcoming movies Neo is going to watch.All in all, the Black Cat isn't really trying to do too much, nor is the director aiming for such lofty ambitions. Still, somehow, the flick manages to succeed all its trashy goals and the result is giving the audience some guilty pleasure. Perhaps, Neo is just abnormal, but in all truthfulness, Black Cat isn't going to win any awards. Still for mindless entertainment alone, you can probably get a lot worst than this and for one last time, Black Cat is just plain trashy fun… (Neo 2008) I rate it 7.75/10www.thehkneo.com

Black Cat (1991) was an unofficial remake of the international French hit "Nikita". Unlike the first film, Black Cat has everything you thought Nikita had (hardcore violence and gritty realism). The film follows a young female drifter (Jade Leung) who gets into trouble whilst in Canada. She's deemed uncontrollable and unfit for society. After a speedy trial she's condemned for life. That's until a suave C.I.A. agent (Simon Yam) gives her a second chance at life, but with brutal consequences. A dark and dreary film with no light at the end of the tunnel. Jade Leung (a former glamor model) is perfect as the Black Cat. A hit man who has no feelings or emotions, just a tool for the government. But like all machines they break down, will she give into her emotions or will she go through her missions like a good slave? Check out Black Cat!Highly recommended.Followed by Black Cat 2: The Assassination of Boris Yeltsin.

This flick would qualify as the first remake of the 1990 French classic, before Hollywood and American television picked up the idea. The early scenes in this Hong Kong crime actioner are a little rough around the edges, causing me to fear a "Tokyo Shock"-style schlockfest. But I persevered and was rewarded. There is violence and action aplenty along with the melodramatic and romantic elements that we've come to love and expect in this kind of film.What really makes the flick stand out is Jade Leung's performance. She is feral and dangerous in the beginning, like a sort of creature. In the course of the film she metamorphoses into someone beautiful and sexy, while retaining her dangerous quality. The actress deserves credit for the way she pulls that off.Oh, and the closing credits music is a spare, crisp example of late-80s/early 90s urban setting film music. Well done!