Starring Mu Qimiya, Li Mingxuan, Liu Beige, Cui Zhenzhen, Zheng Yan, Shang Na and Deng Haowen. Written by Xiao Ye, directed by Liu Binjie, produced by Xu Hao, Du Jian and Wang Rui  for Cappu films & Error 404 Productions

In 2077, at a time when gene tech has advanced immeasurably, private consortiums invest in gene mutation research, developing mutant warriors with super abilities for use in underground death-combat competitions. In order to keep on top of the increasing mutant crime, the International Security Alliance Organization has been established.

Ghost (Qimiya) is an ISAO operative who has been captured by the crime group Medusa Consortium in Korea. Ghost had been on an undercover mission, using the name Wu, but the Medusa Consortium has experimented on her, injecting her with genetic induction solution, resulting in Ghost acquiring powers and losing her memory, so when smart-suited members of the International Security Alliance Organization storm into an experimentation chamber to save her, Ghost/Wu doesn’t know what the hell is happening to her.

A shoot-out ensues and it seems that the ISAO operatives are owning the situation… until a huge, slavering mutant monster is unleashed on them! This beast has a maw full of pink, squid-like tentacles and can split open its face like the Demogorgon from STRANGER THINGS. Ghost kicks into action and slices off some of the creature’s tentacle-tongues, but, as she attempts to escape, a leather-clad female Medusa agent with a sharp, blonde wig and super abilities, including teleportation and telekinesis powers, gets in her way, forcing Ghost to unleash her own still-developing mutation-induced skills to do battle with blondie.

Ghost finally breaks out of the chamber (hidden at the back of a plastic surgery hospital), blacks out and wakes up in an apartment, owned by nice-guy special agent Zhou Yang (Mingxuan). As the plot progresses, we’re introduced to various villains and learn of the different categories of super-humans that have been artificially created, including Class A, Class B and S-Class mutants.

Ghost, who can move so fast that time seems to stand still, also has enhanced strength and is very handy with a long blade. Her powers seem to vary and are not clearly defined, and she uses some skills more sparingly than others. Opponents she faces-off against include Class A mutant Cui Youxi – who can encase her arm in rocks and can manipulate cement & stone as weapons, S-Class mutant Angela – who’s equipped with healing powers, plus high-ranking, wildcard Medusa baddie Li Yongshun – who has heightened telekinesis powers. 

Though we are led to believe that we’ll be witnessing some illegally-streamed, gladiatorial-style death matches, we see very little of them. That’s not to say that we don’t get mutant-powered fights, which are mainly showdowns that occur between ghost and her various pursuers. The skirmish between Angela and Ghost is resolved quicker than expected, especially considering Angela is meant to be a super-tough S-Class mutant, but the end fight confrontation focusing on a blade-wielding Ghost going up against Li Yongshun is better, with Ghost seemingly outclassed at first, getting telekinetically hurled around an opulent room, smashing into walls and pillars, spitting out gouts of blood as she’s injured. Even when she starts fighting back she has to contend with her opponent filling the air with hundreds of glass shards.

Ultimately, MUTANT GHOST WARGIRL doesn’t live up to the promise of its beginning, where we were treated to shots of Ghost and the ISAO agents fighting the massive muto-monster and the foxy, bewigged blonde Medusa agent in the experimental chamber. Nothing that follows manages to be quite as good or as outlandish as that opening sequence.

But the film, which is obviously influenced by AKIRA (hologram-festooned future cityscapes & some similar-sounding wraith-like choral music), GHOST IN THE SHELL (geisha robots) and X-MEN (super-powered mutants), does manage to always look good. There are some fun, high-kicking battling babe scraps, some decent quality, detailed CGI effects, and the art direction is consistently eye-catching, meaning that this Chinese flick, though superficial and far from original, never outstays its welcome.