In December 2023, 88 Films released a 2K restoration of director Wellson Chin Sing-Wai’s 1988 female-led action comedy The Inspector Wears Skirts, produced by Jackie Chan (Gorgeous) with stunt production by Jackie Chan’s stunt team. For U.S. audiences, the film starring Sibelle Hu (Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars) and Cynthia Rothrock (Yes, Madam!) would be released as Top Squad, advertised as a Hong Kong version of Police Academy (1984). Much like that action comedy series that spawned multiple sequels, entries two thru four of the Inspector series is set to be released by 88 Films in 2024, beginning with Inspector 2 (1989), which sees Hu return as Instructor Wu as she tries to whip her cadets into a shape that can take on the men’s division. Though it lacks the booklet which accompanies the first entry’s restoration, fans of The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 can enjoy several on-disc features, as well as the typical reversible poster, and cover art — plus a visually remarkable restoration.
After the success of their first co-team mission with Inspector Kan (Stanley Fung), the cadets of SKIRTS are back in training under the instruction of Inspector Wu, but this time they are joined by four new recruits. As the personalities clash between new and old members, Wu will be joined by Inspector Lo (Melvin Wong Gam-Sam) to try to get them all up to the task of protecting and serving. But with Lo and Wu spending so much time together, Kan tries to find ways to get Wu’s attention and not all of them go over well. With unit cohesion low, will they be able to work together to save the day when it counts?
The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 is the epitome of “more of the same.” Of the 96 minutes, the bulk of it is comedic competition between the recruits (this time with Sandra Ng Kwun-Yu’s Amy leading most of the shenanigans) with a few moments with the men’s squad peppered in and even another dance sequence (this time at Wu’s birthday party). The fun of the film comes in the chemistry between the cast and the way that they sell the performances, especially the physical aspects of either training or combat. The issue arises here in contrast to the first where it tries to shoe-horn in a narrative beyond the recruits that comes to a head at the end of the film. Specifically, the first film opens with an action sequence that introduces us to Wu, transitions to her leading SKIRTS, and their on-going struggle to be taken seriously — both among themselves and by the men’s squad. Here, the action is kept to one sequence that’s given zero setup, just a hard transition from the end of one ridiculous moment to them on a mission and it ends with a moment of levity that isn’t earned by any single scene prior. To that end, as long as you don’t think too hard on the film or expect it to have any kind of through line, then you’re going to be fine. Look, as someone who’s seen all the Police Academy films, even those included build-ups to their climax and the narratives, loose though they may be, told a contained tale. Here, it just feels like writers Lee Man-Choi (Fatal Termination) and Abe Kwong (Visible Secret) were told to come up with skits that would then be structured to tell a chronological story. It entertains thanks to the willingness of the cast to go for it and it does naturally build and carry story elements from 1, but it’s neither as compelling nor enjoyable as the first.
But there’s a bright side — the 2K restoration is lovely. Especially in the outdoors sequences, the colors are vibrant and clear, there’s a little trace of the aging that one would expect of a film from 1989, and the general quality and clarity of the visual elements makes one feel as if the film is a hot discovery rather than a restoration. According to the press notes provided by MVD Entertainment Group, the 2K restoration was made using the original camera negatives, which does explain how they were able to make it look so good. Unfortunately, unlike Inspector 1, there’s no included booklet so there’s no way to get additional information on the restoration or how it was accomplished. One can at least identify the strengths of the visual elements and will come away satisfied with the financial venture – physical media isn’t cheap and the investment should always feel worth it. Additionally, while there are no supportive documents explaining the treatment process for the audio track beyond offering newly-translated English subtitles, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA Cantonese mix is reproduced with clarity when played through my 5.1 Yamaha surround system. No drops, no glitches, no glaring issues that prevent enjoyment.
The 88 Films special features begin with the typical O-Ring with new art, the aforementioned double-sided poster and liner art, so you can either enjoy the design or put a classic design on display. Once again, have to give credit to 88 Films for the quality of their O-Ring as a better protector for physical media than common slipcovers. Their harder material does a far superior job of securing the Blu-ray case and what it contains than basic slipcovers that do little more than offer a textural or visual design shift from the liner cover. As for the on-disc materials, similar to Inspector 1, the offerings are slim but valuable to fans. There’s a feature-length commentary track from frequent 88 Films contributor Frank Djeng, (Inspector 1), an interview with Top Squad/The Inspector Wears Skirts II actor Anthony Carpio who plays returning character Fung, another interview with Wellson Chin, and an interview with stuntman Mars. It’s about as much as was included with the previous release, but it does provide more insight into the then-burgeoning series.
Considering the talent in these films that come from various Jackie Chan-starring or Hong Kong-produced projects, from Melvin Wong in Yes, Madam! (1985), Bill Tung (pick a Jackie Chan film), Hu (My Lucky Stars), the Inspector Wears Skirts series at least appears worth checking out in the same way that comedies today, especially physical ones, afford actors the chance to let loose and have a little fun. While I wouldn’t recommend Inspector 2 on its own, if you enjoy the first film, there’s enough here to warrant the pick-up. Personally, I’m at least curious if story becomes more of a fixture in the third and fourth outings or if they follow the same formula as the first two — shenanigans and then one major action sequence.
The Inspector Wears Skirts Special Features:
- Brand new 2k restoration from the original camera negatives
- High Definition (1080p) presentation in 1.85:1 aspect ratio
- 2.0 DTS-HD MA Cantonese soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
- 2.0 DTS-HD MA English Dub soundtrack
- Audio commentary with Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng
- Interview with stuntman/actor Anthony Carpio
- Leading the Top Squad – An Interview with Director Wellson Chin
- Stuntman Mars discusses The Inspector Wears Skirts 2
- Hong Kong Trailer
Available on Blu-ray March 26th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official 88 Films The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 webpage.
For more information, head to the official MVD Entertainment Group The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 webpage.
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Categories: Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews
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