This is a familiar revenge story, but the central character gives it a twist of its own.
In everyday life, our protagonist is on crutches and feels ineffective, both in his work and with wooing the woman he loves. But a mystical tattoo on a condemned man's back gives him the instructions on how to gain power and sort out the corruption and violence that surrounds him.
When doused in oil, he becomes a petrochemical-based killing machine, and wrongdoers are bumped off one by one. But with great power comes the all-too-familiar lack of self-control of tales like this.
Topless actresses abound and those scenes are, while not graphic, sleazy and usually involve violence. The standard of acting is also as variable as you'd expect from a Shaw Brothers flick and the special effects are a bit naff.
To be honest, there are some parts of this movie, especially in the first half, when the pace is a bit too slow to hold a casual viewer's interest. But as a whole, it is a schlock oddity that is worth your time.
Review of The Oily Maniac
