Shaolin Abbot Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Shaolin Abbot Blu-ray Movie Review

Shaolin Abbot (otherwise known by the alternate titles Abbot of Shaolin or A Slice of Death) is a fun and exciting action-packed classic. Produced by Run Run Shaw (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Ten Tigers of Kwangtung), Shaolin Abbot features plenty of excitement and adventure for martial arts fans. Shaolin Abbot highlights performances by David Chiang, Lieh Lo, Lily Li, Norman Chu, and Kuan-Chung Ku.

Chi San (as David Chiang) (David Da-Wei Chiang) is a respected monk. The monk is gifted with numerous skills and abilities in the field of martial arts. The monk is no ordinary fighter and he manages to protect the Southern Shaolin Temple. Pai Mei (Lieh Lo) is also a significant player in the story as a reengage. An intense action-epic unfolds. As the action is underway, Chi San learns more skills and continues on to gain new levels of kung fu mastery.

The main cast does terrific work in the feature-film. David Chiang and Lieh Lo are both impressive in the leading roles. The performances add to the style of the filmmaking. A good effort by the actors. With a worthwhile supporting cast of characters including Wu Mei (Lily Li), Chi-Lung (as Hsiao-Chiang Hsu), (Norman Chu), and Tao Te (Kuan-Chung Ku). The actors have so much fun with their roles – it’s a wonderful part of the charm of the film.

The Shaolin Abbot feature has a number of remarkable elements. These production elements include the production management by Mona Fong (Revenge of the Corpse, Return of the Sentimental Swordsman) and Po-Nan Wen (Sensual Pleasures, Corpse Mania). The feature also showcases noteworthy art direction by Ching-Shen Chen (The Tiger and the Widow, An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty). The aesthetic of the filmmaking is top-notch throughout.

Shaolin Abbot highlights hair styling by Yen-Lien Peng (Hong Kong Godfather, Lightning Fists of Shaolin). The film also showcases makeup by Hsu-Ching Wu (Human Lanterns, House of Traps). The hair and the makeup styling work well for the production.

The costume designs by Chi-Yu Liu (Tiger Killer, An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty) add to the film style, too. Liu is a gifted costume designer. The designs are well-done and bring out something fun. Impressively realized for the kung-fu classic.

The stunts coordinated by Te-Chiang Teng (My Heart Is That Eternal Rose, Kung Fu Zombie) add a lot to the entertainment value of Shaolin Abbot. The stunt-work is impressively done and the zig-zag action excites with thrilling gusto. The terrific stunt-work builds to an epic crescendo. Teng certainly builds something special with the kung-fu choreography.

The cinematography by Chi Yu (The Bamboo House of Dolls, The Kiss of Death) is one of the best visual qualities of the production. Yu is a gifted cinematographer and the efforts here are well-done. These elements certainly enhance the aesthetic and tone of the filmmaking.

Edited by Hsing-Lung Chiang (The Avenging Eagle, The Love Eterne), Shaolin Abbot is well-paced and the rhythm of the filmmaking succeeds. Chiang has a good time exploring the characters and the kung-fu action while building on the narrative. The editing is well-stylized and the results are effective.

The score composed by Eddie Wang (To Kill a Mastermind, Ambitious Kung Fu Girl) is epic fun and it adds plenty of adventure to the filmmaking. Wang is a gifted composer with a keen sense of style. Wondrous and energetic.

Written by Kuang Ni (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter), Shaolin Abbot is tons of fun. Fans of classic kung-fu films will be enormously pleased. Shaolin Abbot has epic action, storytelling, and adrenaline. The script is well-done and the story is worthwhile.

Directed by Meng-Hua Ho (The Long Chase, The Jade Raksha), Shaolin Abbot is a nice entry in the Shaw Brothers filmography. Ho does a good job as director. Shaw Brothers fans looking for some epic action and adventure will want to see this classic martial arts adventure.

Shaolin Abbot Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Shaolin Abbot is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The transfer is reasonably solid throughout and offers a nice presentation of the feature-film. The print quality is generally good: an impressive scan with little in the way of print damage or wear to the scan. Color reproduction could arguably be a bit more robust looking and colors sometimes do not look as pristine as on a newer restoration (such as a 4K scan could have provided). The encode does have some DNR (digital noise reduction) and is not as perfect as the best masters. Even so, Shaolin Abbot looks reasonably solid in high- definition.

Shaolin Abbot Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (with English subtitles) and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. The lossless audio sounds clear during the presentation. The score is well reproduced and highlighted on the release. The English subtitles are well-done (and free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors).

Shaolin Abbot Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Critic James Mudge

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:31)

Shaolin Abbot Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shaolin Abbot is an entertaining and exciting action-packed adventure. Fans of classic Shaw Brothers martial arts films will want to see this one. The production scale is worthwhile and there are a lot of worthwhile elements. The Blu-ray release features a solid high-definition presentation and lossless audio encoding. The release comes with an audio commentary featuring film critic James Mudge. Recommended.