Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		2.5

Kid from Kwangtung Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 12, 2024

Note: The glut of Shaw Brothers films coming to Blu-ray seems to be continuing in full force, with huge sets like Arrow's Shawscope Volume Three due imminently as this review is being written, and other sets from the likes of Shout! Factory also in the offing. 88 Films has been joining this particular martial arts fray, and is now offering three probably lesser remembered Shaw Brothers offerings as standalone entries coming out on the same day/date, albeit somewhat "branded" and packaged similarly. The three are this film, The Kung Fu Instructor and Facets of Love.

He Jiayu (Wong Yu) and Wu Dezhi (Chiang Kam) might reasonably (or at least comically) thought of as the historical martial arts movie equivalents of, say, Bill & Ted, or maybe even Beavis and Butt-Head. The pair study at the same academy, but are humorous nemeses, often trying to outdo each other in the prank department, pranks typically aimed directly at the other one. If the film had perhaps not relied so much on some frankly less than effective comedy (in both the supposed verbal and physical realms), its ultimate trajectory into "two guys who mix like oil and water who have to band together to combat a common enemy" territory may have carried more weight.

There is one moment of absolute gonzo absurdity that actually reminded me a bit of some maybe unintentionally ridiculous creature designs that fans will see in the forthcoming Buddha's Palm, included in the aforementioned Shawscope: Volume Three from Arrow. Here at least when our dueling heroes dress up in absolutely absurd creature costumes to battle each other, it's supposed to be funny, whereas maybe in Buddha's Palm, the supposed whimsy of some questionable design choices is probably meant to counter any tendencies toward laughter.

Kid from Kwangtung Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kid from Kwang Tung is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.36:1. The back cover offers only a generic "HD transfer from the original negative" as its sole technical data point. While arguably not quite at the consistent levels seen in The Kung Fu Instructor, this is another largely very pleasing looking transfer. Palette suffusion is once again one of the undeniable pluses, and the overall vividness of a wide range of colors throughout the film is well supported here. Detail levels fare best in midrange and close-ups. This has some momentary but quite noticeable downturns in image quality, with a much more roughhewn look to grain and drop off in clarity (and at times even contrast), which don't seem to be particularly related to anything like lighting conditions. Otherwise, though, grain resolves without any issues. Once again some anamorphic oddities can be spotted (look at the curving pillars in screenshot 3 for a more "traditional" example, though there are some other more strangely skewed moments).

Kid from Kwangtung Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Kid from Kwang Tung features LPCM 2.0 Mono audio in either Cantonese or English. I frankly couldn't detect much if any difference between these two tracks in terms of overall mix and amplitude in toggling between them. Sync is almost comically loose in either language, so it probably comes down to whether you want to read subtitles or not. Both tracks offer generally secure support for dialogue, effects and score, though both can be just a bit thin sounding and "silvery" on the high end, leading to some momentary sibilance. Optional English subtitles are available.

Kid from Kwangtung Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer (SD; 1:13)


• Stills Gallery (HD; 2:40)

The keepcase features a reversible sleeve and encloses reproductions of lobby cards. Packaging features a slipcover.

Kid from Kwangtung Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Maybe if the comedy had been more effective, or perhaps even largely jettisoned altogether, Kid from Kwang Tung may have had an easier time getting to its still frankly predictable though probably better "seeming enemies working together" bits. Technical merits are generally solid for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.