Fist of Legend 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Fist of Legend 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Gordon Chan's Fist of Legend (original title: Jing wu ying xiong, 1994) is being released as part of Shout! Studio's ten-disc box set, The Jet Li Collection.

My colleague Jeff Kauffman has reviewed two editions of Fist of Legend: Vivendi Visual Entertainment's BD-50 released sixteen years ago and Ronin Flix's BD-50 from over three years ago. To read Jeff's critique of the film and his evaluation of the discs' a/v transfers and extras, please consult the linked reviews.

Fist of Legend 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shout!'s two-disc set consists of a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and a standard Blu-ray. The UHD comes with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). The picture appears in its native exhibition of ratio of 1.85:1, which offers a tighter framing than Vivendi's 1.78:1. The 2000 Buena Vista Home Entertainment DVD, the DVDs from Genius Products, and Vivendi BD all replaced the original opening and closing credits with solely English titles. I am happy to report that the Shout! discs bring back the original dual-language credits at the beginning and Chinese characters that run during the end credits.

The 4K appears nearly flawless with nicely saturated hues that don't bleed. Blacks look very solid and the mahogany on the wood panels stands out well. I could really notice good depth on the 4K presentation. In direct comparison to the Shout! discs, you will see from my screen captures how the Vivendi has the brightness elevated and contrast boosted. The characters' skin tones are sunnier in a group shot (#16) on Vivendi's Dragon Dynasty disc, for example. You should also observe in Screenshot #19 how Mitsuko Yamada (Shinobu Nakayama) has a more neutral skin complexion compared to the Vivendi (#18). In addition, there are finer details in Chen Zhen's (Jet Li) facial complexion on the Shout! transfers (#s 39-40) compared to Vivendi's (#38). Also, in the soft-focus shot of Chen's classmate in Screenshot #22, his ear is noticeably redder than it is on the most recent transfers. Chen's buttoned-up, long-sleeved outfit appears lavender on on the Vivendi (#24) compared to the dark gray (#25) on the Shout! The Vivendi has considerably more damage than the 4K restoration that appears on the Shout! discs. For instance, I spotted a tramline that lingers for a few shots on the former. On the Shout!s, there's a little damage during an elongated fight sequence (#s 39-40) but damage marks also appear on the Vivendi (#38).

The UHD sports a mean video bitrate of 78.4 Mbps for the feature and an overall bitrate of 91.6 Mbps for the whole disc. Shout!'s Blu-ray incorporates an MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 that delivers a rough average video bitrate of 34000 kbps. The Vivendi employs the same codec and carries a standard video bitrate of 31947 kbps.

Screenshot #s 1-15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, & 40 = Shout! Studios 2025 4K Ultra HD BD-66 (downscaled to 1080p)
Screenshot #s 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 29, 32, 35, & 38 = Vivendi Visual Entertainment 2010 BD-50
Screenshot #s 27, 30, 33, 36, & 39 = Shout! Studios 2025 Blu-ray BD-50 (from a 4K restoration)

Shout! has provided eight chapter breaks for the 102-minute feature.

Fist of Legend 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Shout! has supplied four audio track options to watch Fist of Legend: a Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (1573 kbps, 24-bit), an Alternate Cantonese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono (1570 kbps, 24-bit), an "English Export Dub" encoded as an English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono (1595 kbps, 24-bit), and an "American Dub" encoded as an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround remix (2159 kbps, 24-bit). I listened to the two original-language mixes. The "regular" Cantonese audio mix sounds like a genuine dual-channel monaural track. It has more of a reverb than the alternate Cantonese mix, which is center-speaker focused. The regular mix sounds more rotund than the alternate one. I can point out one semantic difference in the two mixes. On one track, Mitsuko tells Chen that she could see rats in their dwelling. However, on the other Cantonese mix, she states that the rodent is a mouse. Overall, dialogue is comprehensible on both tracks. Sound f/x are most effective and pronounced when martial artists make contact with each other.

Vivendi's subs are actually "dubtitles"! This helps explain why they are so different and appear mismatched when displayed at similar moments as Shout!'s optional subtitles. You can view samples of the subs in Screenshot #s 16-25. Shout! displays intertitles in places where Vivendi does not. For instance, on an edifice outside a hotel (capture #s 30-31) and along a tomb (#s 27-28).

Fist of Legend 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Shout! has recorded a recent commentary track to go along with two interviews. The legacy extras originate from Genius Products' 2008 Two-Disc Ultimate Edition DVD set. Missing is an excellent commentary by Bey Logan which was included on two Genius DVD editions and Vivendi's Blu-ray. The Hong Kong cinema expert dissects how the fight scene in a Japanese classroom was influenced by Kurosawa's Red Beard (1965). He also claims that Fist of Legend's production design was strongly influenced by the look in Schrader's Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985). Logan unpacks the motivations and decisions by the characters in Fist of Legend. There are hardly any gaps.

DISC ONE: 4K Ultra HD - FIST OF LEGEND

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with James Mudge - Mudge is a Hong Kong film critic at easternKicks who also runs a Hong Kong film festival in the UK. His feature-length track is roughly 50 percent screen specific. He talks often about the cast/crew of Fist of Legend, the differences between it and Fist of Fury (1972), similar genre films, and the various modes of martial arts. Mudge is admittedly not a big fan of director Gordon Chan. To paraphrase Mudge, Chan is a helmer of entertainment vehicles whose productions are "solid and slick." But they lack any distinctive visual style. For these reasons, Mudge doesn't really consider Chan an auteur. Chan split the directorial duties with kung fu choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping. Chan directed only the non-action scenes. In English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with James Mudge - Mudge is a Hong Kong film critic at easternKicks who also runs a Hong Kong film festival in the UK. His feature-length track is roughly 50 percent screen specific. He talks often about the cast/crew of Fist of Legend, the differences between it and Fist of Fury (1972), similar genre films, and the various modes of martial arts. Mudge is admittedly not a big fan of director Gordon Chan. To paraphrase Mudge, Chan is a helmer of entertainment vehicles whose productions are "solid and slick." But they lack any distinctive visual style. For these reasons, Mudge doesn't really consider Chan an auteur. Chan split the directorial duties with kung fu choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping. Chan directed only the non-action scenes. In English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Fistful of Ambition: An Interview with Gordon Chan (21:07, 1080p) - Chan recalls Jet Li approaching him about remaking Fist of Fury and creating a brand-new character. He also recollects phoning original scribe and director Wei Lo about the origins of Bruce Lee's character in that '70s classic. Chan states that he harbored fears of the actors possibly getting injured on set. In addition, he discusses casting Billy Chow and Fist of Legend's reception in theaters and later on home video. Chan speaks entirely in English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Connecting Blows: An Interview with Professor Aaron Moore (18:10, 1080p) - Moore provides historical perspective to Fist of Legend's story events. He focuses on the year 1914 and relations between the Chinese and Japanese at that time. He reflects on Japan's imperial presence in the film versus what it was really like. Moore also discusses early Qing Dynasty culture and the aims of the Black Dragon Society. He critiques Jet Li's performance and his character of Chen Zhen. Moore unpacks how Japan and China tend to compete a lot with each other. In English, not subtitled.

• The Man Behind the Legend: An Interview with Director Gordon Chan (35:36, upscaled to 1080i) - Chan reminisces on the prospect of remaking Fist of Fury circa 1994, his chats with Jet Li about creating a new rendition, what it was like directing Li on set, visiting old places that served as the film's locations, and his penchant for rewriting the script shortly before filming. Chan also reflects on directing Kurata Yasuaki and Billy Chow. He explains how they did a couple of the fight scenes. Chan speaks entirely in English, not subtitled.

• Brother in Arms: An Interview with Kung Fu Impresario Chin Siu-Ho (23:19, upscaled to 1080i) - Chin offers an in-depth look at his background and training in martial arts. He distinguishes between traditional martial arts and martial arts movie techniques, explaining their differences. Chin recalls working on several of director Chang Cheh's films and gives a mini-tribute to The One-Armed Swordsman (1967). He compares and contrasts the martial-arts moves of Bruce Lee with Jet Li's, outlining how each had and has unique abilities. Chin remembers performing the elaborate fight scene with Jet Li in Fist of Legend and provides several details. He also discusses Fist of Fury. Chin has a ton to say about his work in martial arts. In Cantonese or Mandarin, subtitled in English. Shout! appears to have done their own subs.

• The Way of the Warrior: An Interview With Japanese-Action Legend Kurata Yasuaki (29:41, upscaled to 1080i) - Yasuaki says he met with Run Run Shaw, who was seeking actors in Japan to appear in Hong Kong movies in the early '70s. Yasuaki talks some about The Angry Guest (1972). He observes how he played a spate of villainous roles but later switched to portraying good guys. Yasuaki recounts a memorable meeting with a kung fu superstar. He briefly talks about signing a contract to act in films with Sammo Hung's company. Yasuaki gives his take on the contrasting roles Jackie Chan and Jet Li have had in the movies. Yasuaki initially seems to speak briefly about Fist of Legend but segues to an extensive reflection on the choreography in the big fight scene with Jet Li. He also goes into detail about Gordon Chan's directorial style. In Japanese, subtitled in English.

• The School of Hard Knocks: The Screen-Fighting Seminar at the Celebrated Kurata Action School (26:32, upscaled to 1080i) - this is a karate seminar with actor Kurata Yasuaki. The footage shows Yasuaki teaching his young pupils. In English and Japanese. The non-English portions are subtitled.

• A Look at FIST OF LEGEND Interviews with Director Brett Ratner and Film Critic Elvis Mitchell (9:36, upscaled to 1080i) - Ratner and Mitchell discuss Jet Li's martial arts and acting abilities, the way he uses his body (especially his eyes) to convey his expressions, and the emotional undercurrent occurring in Fist of Legend. Ratner also offers brief remarks about Gordon Chan. They critique individual scenes from Fist of Legend. Both Ratner and Mitchell speak in English, not subtitled.

• Deleted Scenes (5:09, upscaled to 1080p) - a reel consisting of a handful of deleted scenes from Fist of Legend. There's a prefatory note about an extant Taiwanese master and SD source with Mandarin as the only available audio track. The excised scenes are likely culled from the Taiwanese LaserDisc released by T.K.T./Origon in the mid 1990s. They have been upscaled and boast decent image quality. Subtitled in Chinese and English.

• Trailer (2:46, upconverted to 1080i) - a hazy-looking theatrical trailer for Fist of Legend presented in about 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. It has been upscaled from an SD source. In Cantonese, subtitled in English.

Fist of Legend 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I greatly respect those who regard Fist of Legend as a kung-fu classic. I concede that this is one of Jet Li's most mature and best performances. But outside of the expertly choreographed fight scenes, the film drags in spots. Nothing against Shinobu Nakayama, but the movie lacks any strong female characters. It could have greatly benefited from a Michelle Yeoh, who helps to anchor Tai Chi Master so well with Jet Li. Moreover, the synths in Joseph Koo's score sound anachronistic to the period that they are accompanying. Still, this is one of Li's better films but I wouldn't rank it among his very best. Shout!'s 4K presentation is almost immaculate. The boutique label offers a plethora of audio options. The recent supplementary additions are informative, but if you own an older disc with Bey Logan's commentary, definitely hold on to it. A SOLID RECOMMENDATION.