Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master Blu-ray Movie Review

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is an engaging and thought-provoking Shaw Brothers production. Presented by Run Run Shaw (Fists of the White Lotus, Dirty Ho), Opium and the Kung-Fu Master surprises as one of the most contemplative and dramatic Shaw Brothers films. Produced by Mona Fong (The Avenging Eagle, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), Opium and the Kung-Fu Master features a cast that includes Ti Lung, Te-Lo Mai, and Leanne Lau.

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master explores the epic journey of Ten Kwangtung Tigers as the chief kung fu expert in charge learns of the many lives being lost to the town’s opium den. The biggest obstacle he faces? The leader is addicted to opium himself and must learn to conquer his own overbearing drug addictions. Struggling with his own drug addiction, the leader is on a quest that challenges him as a martial arts master and as a master of his own mind.

The cast of characters include Tieh Chiao-San (Ti Lung), Lu Hu-sze (Te-Lo Mai), Hsiao Tsui (Leanne Lau), Yung Feng (Chen Kuan-Tai), Golden Silk Cat (Phillip Ko), and Mou Tien (Kuan-Chung Ku). The talented ensemble cast has a lot of fun with the production. The cast members are excellent and the drama throughout the film is an essential part of the story. The lead performance by Ti Lung is especially noteworthy. The actor provides heightened drama and delivers a thoughtful performance.  

The production succeeds on numerous levels. The art direction by Ching-Shen Chen (The Amorous Lotus Pan, How to Choose a Royal Bride) and Kuang-Hsien Teng (New Tales of the Flying Fox, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter) is top- notch. The art style of the film is tremendous with the sets and production background merits adding an element of sophistication to the production. The opium den is brought to life and the aesthetic is perfect for the storyline.

The costumes by Chi-Yu Liu (Ten Tigers of Kwangtung, The Boxer from the Temple) are excellent. There is elegance and sophistication to the costumes. Liu is a talented costumer and a excellent amount of detail was given to the style.

Edited by Cho-Wen Chao (Demon of the Lute, Long Road to Gallantry), Chung Yiu Ma (Love on Delivery, From Beijing with Love), and Shao-Feng Yu (The Kung Fu Instructor, Rendezvous with Death), Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is terrific. The editing is well-paced. The rhythm of the filmmaking is a lot of fun and there is plenty to enjoy as the drama unfolds with the right tempo.

The stunts coordinated by Tang Chia (Rendezvous with Death, To Kill a Mastermind), Chuen Chiang (Green Snake, Godfather from Canton), Hoi-Sang Lee (Game of Death II, Shaolin Intruders), Huang Pei-Chi (Descendant of the Sun, The Avenging Eagle), Bun Yuen (Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, The Taking of Tiger Mountain), and Wah Yuen (The Spirit of the Sword, Legend of the Dragon) are top-notch. There are intense action set pieces in Opium and the Kung-Fu Master. Opium and the Kung-Fu Master showcases terrific stuntwork. The action set pieces add a lot to the film and even for audiences less interested in seeing a more dramatic Shaw Brothers entry, the action spectacle is worth admission alone. A great, impressive, and engaging effort in action choreography.

The score composed by Chin-Yung Shing (Mercenaries from Hong Kong, The Lady Assassin) and Chen-Hou Su (The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, Legendary Weapons of China) is engaging fun and adds an abundance of elegance. The music by Shing is terrific. The score aids the journey – bringing out a fantastic depth to the production. The score is the perfect accompaniment to the action as it is spectacularly engaging – and it finds the right moments to swell for the dramatic backdrop.

The cinematography by Hui-Chi Tsao (The Long Chase, The Sword Stained with Royal Blood) is a key component of the production. The visuals help to tell the story. Cinematographer Tsao finds the aesthetic needed to highlight the elaborate spectacle of the martial arts.

Written by Ying Wong (The First Vampire in China, Return of the Demon), Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is well-done. The script is one of the most dramatic ones in the Shaw Brothers filmography. Though the script is about drug addiction and the struggles of addicts, the story is one that doesn’t feel too heavy handed either. The plot might seem more conversational in addressing something as serious as drug addiction yet it works well for the feature-film. The writing is solid and the dialogue is well-done.

Directed by Tang Chia (Shaolin Intruders, Shaolin Prince), Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is a well- done Shaw Brothers feature. Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is a memorable and engaging feature-film in Shaw Brothers legacy. Opium and the Kung-Fu Master might not be as much fun as some of the features with non-stop action and adventure – having the drama at the heart of the story be about addiction will make it less appealing to some audiences – but others will appreciate director Chia’s approach to the story. Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is a well-done drama with some impressively handled action set pieces.

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout, Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. A somewhat underwhelming presentation. The transfer isn't as robust as some of the best Shaw Brothers presentations. The colors are somewhat muted looking and aren't as robust as the best presentations. Colors are low-key and not as pronounced. The scan looked dated and the print does some show slight imperfections on occasion. The transfer isn't pristine isn't the only thing, either – there is some digital manipulation to the image. It is a flawed transfer and not one of the best in the Shaw Brothers set.

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a nice selection of lossless audio options: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (with English subtitles) and English DTS- HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. The lossless audio offers decent fidelity and range. The lossless encoding provides clear dialogue reproduction. The score is highlighted well on the release. The English subtitles were well-done and are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Critic Ian Jane

The Addiction of Empire – Interview with Asian History Academic, Prof. Lars Laamann (HD, 31:50)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:18)

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Opium and the Kung-Fu Master is an engaging and thought-provoking drama about addiction. The drama is the center of Opium and the Kung-Fu Master. Shaw Brothers fans may wish to see Opium and the Kung-Fu Master simply to see the action scenes but the main element of the story is the drama about the struggle to overcome drug addiction. Engaging action makes it worth seeing even if the topic doesn't appeal to all audiences. The release comes with an audio commentary, an interview, and a trailer. Recommended.