7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A band of killers from an ailing kung fu and magic society are sent on a manhunt for a former member of the society, whose bad mouthing threatens its existence.
Starring: Chia-Liang Liu, Chia-Yung Liu, Kara Ying Hung Wai, Hou Hsiao, Sheng FuForeign | 100% |
Martial arts | 42% |
Action | 8% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Cantonese: LPCM 2.0 Mono
English: LPCM 2.0 Mono
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
I think even diehard fans of martial arts films would be hard pressed to think of a more exciting time in terms of how many fantastic offerings are suddenly on tap, typically in some very nice collector editions. I've already waxed enthusiastic about the relatively recently reviewed Shawscope Volume One from Arrow (which made my Top 10 and/or Top 11 - 15 list for 2021), and a newly emerging imprint called 88 Asia Collection from 88 Films' newish US distribution model, which thus far has released The Chinese Boxer and Disciples of Shaolin. While perhaps not quite at the level of some of the Shaw Brothers productions, and for those with either Region B or region free players, Cinematic Vengeance: 8 Kung Fu Classics from Director Joseph Kuo also has offered fans of this genre some generally very entertaining fare. 88 Films is back with another really fun release, one which may play especially well for those with a knowledge of "kung fu movie" tropes in particular, but also those with a sense of humor, albeit perhaps slightly different from some of the wacky shenanigans fostered by such folks as Jackie Chan or (frankly) knock offs by folks like Joseph Kuo in such films as The World of Drunken Master. As a number of really appealing supplements on this disc get into, Legendary Weapons of China is at least as much about "kung fu movies" as it is a "kung fu movie" itself. It has a number of rather unusual elements woven into a some "meta" self referential presentational aspects which actually don't need to be fully appreciated in order for the film to deliver both action and a liberal amount of (sometimes dark) humor.
Legendary Weapons of China is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. The back cover of this release offers that this is an "HD remaster from the original 35mm negatives", and it's another generally stellar looking release from this label of a Shaw Brothers production. As with the other 88 Films' offerings I've reviewed thus far, the palette on this film really pops beautifully almost all of the time, with some especially vivid reds (one of the commentaries gets into an almost Hammer-esque aspect to the film, and this might be one subliminal example). Detail is typically excellent throughout the presentation. There are a few minor variances at play, including just a couple of intermittent moments where the palette turns a bit brown and dowdy and fine detail ebbs, which may suggest some underlying damage that couldn't be ameliorated. The most eagle eyed viewer may be able to catch some very minor passing blemishes. As with virtually every Shaw Brothers production I've personally reviewed, there are some almost comical anamorphic oddities at play at times, typically but not always at the edges of the frame (and some of which can be spotted in some of the screenshots I've uploaded to accompany this review). There's one pan across a crowded cafe that may require Dramamine on the part of more sensitive viewers due to the anamorphic squeezing and billowing that kind of waft across the frame (I'm joking, of course, but you get the drift).
Legendary Weapons of China features LPCM 2.0 Mono tracks in Cantonese or English. The Cantonese track may arguably be just a tad brighter and hotter than the English, but not by much in my estimation. Both tracks deliver typically hyperbolic mixes that are almost always "turned up to 11", with occasional brittleness that may verge on distortion at the highest amplitudes. That said, score and effects in particular sound nicely full bodied and problem free. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
This is a film that can be hugely enjoyed on its own surface merits but which can be returned to, perhaps with the aid of some of the supplements included on this disc, to be enjoyed again with additional "strata" of meaning and information. Technical merits are generally solid, and the supplemental package is really outstanding. Highly recommended.
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