The Inspector Wears Skirts (1988)

What makes The Inspector Wears Skirts special is how it turns a familiar cops-and-crime setup into a buoyant, crowd-pleasing showcase for women who don’t just hold their own—they steal the movie. It’s got that classic late-’80s Hong Kong action-comedy snap: broad laughs, brisk pacing, and fight scenes that land with real athletic punch, especially thanks to the charisma and physical command of Sibelle Hu and Cynthia Rothrock. Beneath the playful vibe, there’s a satisfying edge as the squad pushes back against disrespect and proves competence the hard way, giving the comedy a backbone instead of just noise. If you’re allergic to old-school humor or rough-around-the-edges genre attitudes, it may not be your tempo—but if you want a charming, energetic romp with genuinely capable female action leads, this is an easy recommendation.

The Inspector Wears Skirts wants to be a scrappy, pro-women action-comedy about a female police squad earning respect in a boys’ club, and you can see the intention even when it doesn’t land. The problem is it leans heavily on broad slapstick and filler, so the pacing lurches and the plot can feel like a string of sketches rather than a focused story. If you’re coming for consistent action or a tight crime narrative, you’ll likely be bored between the early and late set pieces. But if you’re in the mood for an old-school, goofy ensemble comedy with a bit of attitude and you don’t mind rough edges, there’s some fun to be had.