The Heroic Trio and Executioners

The late Anita Mui, Michelle Yeoh, and Maggie Cheung in The Heroic Trio

Johnnie To's The Heroic Trio, from 1993, is a cartoonish action film done with style and aplomb. In Hong Kong, babies are being snatched to further the diabolic plot of the Evil Master who resides in a subterranean underworld. An invisible warrior (Ms. Yeoh) does his bidding until she is recruited to the light side by the other two members of the titular trio. The film alternates between manic action sequences, well choreographed by Siu-Tung Ching, and quiet interludes intended to illustrate the main character's back stories. The three lead actresses bring the required brio and tongue in chic facetiousness to the project. You end up rooting for them no matter how absurd the carnage. To's combination of light gore and goofy humor sometimes is an uneasy mix, but I was swept along by the sheer visual pleasure of this cheesy spectacle.

Audiences, especially in Asia, were, too, and a sequel was rushed into production and released a little over six months later. Executioners is set some five years in the future after a nuclear apocalypse. The heroic trio reunite to thwart the nefarious plans of a corrupt military officer and a corporate entity that controls Hong Kong's water supply. The violent put-down of a demonstration calls to mind the then recent events at Tiananmen Square. Executioners is a bit dour compared to its predecessor, but if you enjoy The Heroic Trio, you'll want to see the sequel.