6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The compelling biography of the Great Sage set in the chaotic and decadent world of the warring states during the Spring and Autumn Period, the film focuses on the turbulent later years of Confucius's life, specifically from his appointment to political office at 51 to his death at 73, and all the dramatic stories in between.
Starring: Xun Zhou, Yi Lu, Chow Yun-Fat, Daoming Chen, Jianbin ChenForeign | 100% |
Drama | 49% |
History | 45% |
Biography | 20% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Mandarin: Dolby Digital 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Hu Mei's "Confucius" (2010) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Showbox Media. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive new audio commentary with Hong Kong cinema expert Bay Logan; a large collection of short episodes with raw footage from the shooting of the film; and an original theatrical trailer. In Mandarin, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Chow Yun-Fat as Confucius
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Hu Mei's Confucius arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Showbox Media.
This is a solid high-definition transfer - but it is not identical to the one Hong Kong-based distributors Mei Ah used for their Blu-ray release of Confucius. Fine object detail is very impressive, clarity excellent, and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. The color-scheme does not disappoint either. Reds, blues, greens, yellows, brown, and blacks are exceptionally rich and well saturated. In my opinion, the colors are also slightly better balanced here - on the Mei Ah release there is a prominent light red tint, while on the Showbox Media the reds are balanced well with the greens and blues. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern. Neither is macroblocking. I also did not see any traces of heavy noise reduction. There are no serious stability issues to report in this review either. Lastly, when blown through a digital projector the high-definition transfer conveys remarkable depth and tightness. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Mandarin Dolby Digital 2.0. For the record, Showbox Media have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
The audio treatment is as impressive as the video treatment. The Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track has a terrific dynamic amplitude, which I am convinced audiophiles will appreciate. The bass is powerful and punchy, the rear channels very active, and the high-frequencies not overdone. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and exceptionally easy to follow. Lastly, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissing, or audio dropouts to report in this review.
Note: Some of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are encoded in PAL. Therefore, if you reside in North America, or another region where PAL is not supported, you must have a Region-Free player capable of converting PAL to NTSC, or a TV set capable of receiving native PAL data, in order to view them.
Commentary - Hong Kong cinema expert Bay Logan deconstructs Confucius and discusses the film's production history. This is an incredibly entertaining commentary, which also contains an abundance of information about a number of different Asian films, actors, etc. In English, not subtitled.
Making of Gallery - a collection of short episodes with raw footage from the shooting of Confucius and various interviews with cast and crew members. In Mandarin, with imposed English subtitles. (PAL).
-- From Chow Yun-Fat to Confucius (7 min).
-- A Woman, a bosom Friend (7 min)
-- Chaotic period of Spring and Autumn (9 min).
-- From Chow Yun-Fat to Confucius (Special Edition). (7 min).
-- The Politicians (7 min).
-- Animal Stars (8 min).
-- Progressing in the Snow (7 min).
-- The Warfare (7 min).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Confucius. In Mandarin, with imposed English subtitles. (2 min, PAL).
Trailers - a collection of trailers for other Showbox Media releases.
The exclusive new audio commentary by Hong Kong cinema expert Bay Logan is a good enough reason to recommend this Blu-ray disc, courtesy of British distributors Showbox Media, over the Hong Kong Blu-ray disc, courtesy of Mei Ah, which only has a music video and a generic photo gallery. But the Showbox Media disc also looks slightly better, so if you are looking to add Confucius to your libraries, I suggest that you opt for the UK disc. RECOMMENDED.
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