Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

House of Traps Blu-ray Movie Review

House of Traps is a thrilling action-adventure epic by the legendary Shaw Brothers studio. Presented by Run Run Shaw (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Legend of the Fox), House of Traps is a must-see for Shaw Brothers fans. Produced by Mona Fong (Lifeline, Painted Faces), House of Traps is based on the story by Yu-Kun Shi. With epic action and stunning filmmaking, House of Traps is a classic in the Shaw Brothers legacy.

A continuation of the journey that started with the Five Deadly Venoms, the film explores the journey of a group of kung-fu experts as the fighters navigate an over-the-top hell-hole house with one deadly and elaborate contraption after another. The hell-house is a bit like “Home Alone” on acid with a strange concoction of deadly obstacles left and right. Can these martial arts experts survive the violent and overwhelming odds stacked against them at the elaborate house from hell?  

House of Traps features an ensemble cast of characters that includes Hua Chong - the Butterfly (Feng Lu), Deng Che (Li Wang), Shen Zhong Yuan (Tien-Hsiang Lung), Yan Chun Min (Chien Sun), Bai Yu Tang - the Rat (Siu-Ho Chin), Zhi Hua - the Black Fox (Phillip Chung- Fung Kwok), Lu Fang - the Sky Rat (Ke Chu), Jiang Ping - the River Rat (Sheng Chiang), and Xu Qing - the Mountain Rat (Tien-Chi Cheng). The cast is terrific and has a lot of fun with the production. The characters add a lot of charm to the filmmaking. The end result is a thrilling and engaging Shaw Brothers classic.

The production has a lot of noteworthy aspects. The feature-film has production management by Lieh Chen (Shaolin Hellgate, Clans of Intrigue). The set decoration is by Johnson Tsao (Come Drink with Me, The Heroic Ones). These design elements add a lot of splendor and style to the filmmaking. The sets are detailed and robust. The decorations and design attributes bring the canvas to life. A more engaging and thrilling view through the camera-lens.

The costume designs by Chi-Yu Liu (An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty, Tiger Killer) are wonderful and add so much texture to the filmmaking. The designs are essential to the storytelling and the heart of the production. The costumes are essential and worthwhile – adding so much to the feature-film and the canvas of the production. Liu is a talent and the end result is something well worthwhile.

The production also features notable make-up by Ji-Cheng Liu (Hong Kong Godfather, Shaolin Intruders) and Hsu- Ching Wu (A Touch of Zen, To Kill a Mastermind). The feature also showcases hair styling by Yen-Lien Peng (How to Choose a Royal Bride, Lightning Fists of Shaolin). The hair and make-up are an important aspect of the production. Alongside the costuming, these elements aid the filmmaking, expanding on the visual splendor.

The stunts are coordinated by Sheng Chiang (Legend of the Fox, Thrilling Bloody Sword), Ke Chu (Masked Avengers, The Boxer's Omen), Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok (The Bride with White Hair, Hard Boiled), and Feng Lu (Two Champions of Death, Five Deadly Venoms). The stunt-work is fantastic – a thrill to see. Outstanding stunts and hypnotizing action. The stunt-work is something thrilling and it manages to cast a spell on viewers. The action choreography is well-done and the cast of action heroes brings out the best in the epic production.

The score composed by Eddie Wang (Fists of the White Lotus, Two Champions of Death) is enjoyable fun and a wonderful component of the filmmaking. Wang is a top-notch composer and someone with an impressive knack for storytelling through music. There is something wonderful about Wang’s music. Compositions add to the energy and tone of the filmmaking.

The cinematography by Hui-Chi Tsao (The Long Chase, Lightning Fists of Shaolin) is beautiful, complex, and visually stunning. Tsao is a gifted cinematographer and the style of the visuals adds so much to everything – enhancing the tone and presence of the entire piece. The film is all the more thrilling through the visual sensibilities of the cinematography.

Edited by Hsing-Lung Chiang (The Avenging Eagle, The Love Eterne) and Yen-Hai Li (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Kiss of Death), House of Traps is a well-edited work of art and there is plenty in the film to appreciate. The pace and rhythm of the editing adds a lot to the production. House of Traps is a fun experience and the tight editing adds a lot to the flow of the film.

Written by Cheh Chang (Ninja in Ancient China, Five Deadly Venoms) and Kuang Ni (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Dirty Ho), House of Traps has a fun script. The story and characters are fun – there is a lot worth celebrating. The script adds a lot to the production. Chang is a talent and co-writer Ni helps expand on the script. The collaboration yielded something fantastic and well-worthwhile in the Shaw Brothers legacy.

Directed by Cheh Chang (Shaolin Hellgate, The Kid with the Golden Arm), House of Traps is an incredible film by the filmmaker. Chang is one of the most iconic and legendary Shaw Brothers filmmakers and this is certainly a gem of kung-fu filmmaking. Fans of the genre should consider House of Traps a must-see classic.

House of Traps Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout, House of Traps is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The presentation is pleasing with impressive color reproduction and overall clarity. The transfer is reasonably sharp and engaging with pleasing detail. The transfer is free from egregious print damage or wear and has impressive looking aesthetic qualities. The image is sometimes not razor-sharp and can look soft in some sequences but considering the source and master supplied, a pleasing presentation of the feature- film.

House of Traps Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles) and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The release provides a pleasing lossless presentation with crisp detail and overall fidelity. The encoding allows for a more robust and satisfactory soundstage. Detail is apparent in the audio track and dialogue is well reproduced for the soundstage. The score is a highlight and the sound effects are well integrated into the sound presentation.

House of Traps Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Critic and Author David West

A Confined Conversation – Interview with Veteran Shaw Actor Chu Ke (HD, 14:23)

A New Generation of Gore – Interview with Academic and Author Leon Hunt (HD, 14:34)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:18)

House of Traps Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

House of Traps is an entertaining and thrilling action-adventure epic. The filmmaking is top-notch across the board. The action is intense and the direction by Cheh Chang is fantastic. For Shaw Brothers fans, a must-see. The Blu-ray release features an audio commentary alongside a selection of interviews. An impressive and well-rounded release. Highly recommended.