They Call Her…Cleopatra Wong (1978)

Another movie that I really, really wanted to like, 23 April 2020

Interpol Agent Cleopatra Wong (Doris Young aka Marrie Lee) travels between Manilla, Singapore, and Hong Kong trying to uncover and put a stop to an international counterfeiting ring. 

Let me start this by saying that I really, really (and I mean REALLY) wanted to like They Call Her…Cleopatra Wong.  It had a lot going for it and a lot that usually appeals to me.  A badass female secret agent who can kick butt and take names; a funky disco-inspired soundtrack; exotic locations; and action set-pieces galore – what’s not to like?  While it sounds good on paper, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.  The plot ends up being a bit silly.  Why on Earth would you smuggle counterfeit bills inside jars of jelly?  What a ridiculous idea.  Second, while the fight scenes are numerous, they got horribly repetitive after a while.  There were only so many times I could watch Cleo go through the same motions with yet more faceless, nameless baddies.  And while Ms Young has a definite screen presence and is more than capable of carrying much of the movie, she suffers in the fight sequences.  Her movements aren’t overly natural and some of her fight scenes have an off-putting static quality to them. 

In the end, the highly enjoyable opening montage and some of the more memorable action set-pieces (like the assault on the monastery) help save They Call Her…Cleopatra Wong from being a complete disaster.  As much as I’d like to give it a higher rating, a 5/10 is the best I can do. 

5/10