Nostalgia Kinky

Recently released by 88 Films USA division on Blu-ray, She Shoots Straight (1990) is a fairly routine police-based revenge thriller, highlighted by some absolutely incredible action sequences. Featuring an all-star mostly-female cast, with direction by the much-missed Corey Yuen, She Shoots Straight is a solid-enough entry in the Hong Kong Cinema canon, although it doesn’t strike me as the total classic some have labeled it.

She Shoots Straight arrives nearly a decade into Yuen’s career behind the camera. He injects the film with much energy and skill, creating a striking Cinéma du look-inspired production bursting with color and style. Unfortunately, the script by the team of Yuen Kai-Chi and Barry Wong Ping-Yiu relies too heavily on cinematic cop contrivances. Because of this, She Shoots Straight, even at its most exciting moments, never escapes the shadow of the many films that inspired it.

The otherwise predictable script is helped immensely by the film’s gender-swap for the leads, as this is typically a very male-dominated genre. The cast is very strong, with Joyce Godenzi striking an especially ‘cool’ presence throughout. There are many familiar faces, with even Producer (and Mr. Godenzi) Sammo Hung appearing in an amusing supporting role.

Yuen, perhaps recognizing the script’s weaknesses, wisely packs the film with as many action scenes, shootouts, and fights as possible. These absolutely shred. She Shoots Straight explodes with sporadic bursts of electricity every time Yuen and his cast unleash these quite unforgettable action sequences. They’re impressive, and both his cast and stunt crew do spectacular onscreen work. I’m not a fan of gratuitous gunplay in cinema, but I make an exception when it is choreographed and poetically executed as this.

She Shoots Straight was kind of a mixed bag for me, but it is an easy recommendation for action-cinema fans and lovers of Hong Kong cinema. No complaints at all on the splendid Blu-ray edition from 88 Films. The 2K restoration from the original negative is sublime, and the slipcover/reversible sleeve packaging lives up to 88 Films’ usual excellent presentation. Extras are slimmer than some of 88’s releases but still solid, in the form of a screenwriter interview, alternate English credits, and most essential of all, a Frank Djeng commentary. I’ve mentioned previously how much I enjoy Djeng’s tracks, and this one delivers once again.
Big recommendation for the Blu-ray,
light recommendation for the film.

-Jeremy Richey, March 2026-

She Shoots Straight is available via MVD’s 88 Films USA collection.