Central Park Media's Asia Pulp Cinema has a habit of putting together some really awesome high impact action movies. The Zero Woman series set a tone for strong, sexy women in action films that is rarely achieved in American cinema. Asia Pulp Cinema has continued this trend with a brand new movie, similar to the Zero Woman series, called The Beautiful Killing Machine.

     Cheryl is a bodyguard whose latest assignment becomes a death trap when she crosses paths with a deadly hit man known only as The Owl. Right from the beginning, Zero Woman comes to mind. This woman is a no nonsense kick ass heroine who has no time for stupid games when it comes to keeping her clients from being killed. Whether it is defending a little child or a hardened criminal, Cheryl is all business. However, for the first time, Cheryl finds herself second guessing her training and putting her client's life at risk.

     At first, I didn't like this film, because the fight scenes seemed awkward and there were many trifling nude and homoerotic lesbian scenes that really served no purpose, but then as things went on, I learned to appreciate the flick for what it was. As soon as Cheryl is assigned to protect a jewel thief, things begin to heat up. No one is safe and Cheryl finds herself in an intriguing gunfight with some great movements as the bodyguard subdued her enemies with the swift use of her guns. However, her cunning ways turn to fear as she confronted a man who in a previous scene had cut some guy's ear off as a trophy. She seemed to know the man and while she has him dead in her sights, can't pull the trigger.

     This is where the film got interesting as an element of mystery was thrown into the mix. Suddenly, I was drawn into Cheryl's character and her past as her emotions came to the surface and her character became well rounded. Cheryl has made herself a new enemy and it doesn't look like he knows who she is, but he makes every effort to get into her life by killing those closest to her. In one scene, he walks into the bar owned by Mark, her boss, a one-armed man who still knows how to fish, pour drinks and shoot with the best of them. It was probably one of the eeriest scenes I had ever seen, as both men knew they were about to become involved in a battle and Mark still found time to joke with Owl about how the crazed killer determines which ear he cuts off after his kill. Very strange, but very well written.

     Things get interesting as Owl makes his way through Cheryl's colleagues and friends until a final showdown commences in a peculiar, yet emotional battle of wits and sexuality. It is here that the viewer is treated to the biggest surprise they may have ever seen in any movie since The Crying Game,. I won't spoil it for anyone, but it does answer a whole lot of questions I had, including why Cheryl seems to bleed for no reason when involved in strenuous situations.

     Beautiful Killing Machine was a well-done theatrical piece with a strange, yet intriguing story. Like Zero Woman before it, this movie gives women a chance to show that they have strength along with sexuality and like those four films; I hope a series is developed with this character. All in all, this was a great movie that continuously builds from one scene to the next and keeps the viewer guessing right up until the very end.

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.