Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Shaolin Intruders Blu-ray Movie Review

Shaolin Intruders is an incredible action gem by the legendary Shaw Brothers studio. Presented by Run Run Shaw (Disciples of the 36th Chamber, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), Shaolin Intruders is an action-packed adventure with detective elements. Produced by Mona Fong (Painted Faces, Lifeline), Shaolin Intruders features a cast including Liu Yu-po and Derek Yee.

Shaolin Intruders takes a turn for the mysterious. The renowned leader Chin Hu Chief is murdered and the stakes are elevated. Assassinated by four monks, Chin Hu Chief is no more. As mounting evidence suggests Ching Hua (Liu Yu-po) was the primary suspect responsible for the carried- out assassination, Ching’s close friend Lei Hsin (Derek Yee) decides he must do whatever he can in order to help his best friend clear his name.

The journey forward to save his friend requires Lei entering a mysterious and legendary Shaolin Temple while facing one obstacle after another on the course to finding justice. Can Lei clear Ching’s name or will defeat be the ultimate answer? The stakes are high and the journey is arduous.

Shaolin Intruders features an impressive supporting cast of characters including Lei Hsun (Derek Tung-Sing Yee), Qiao Yiduo (Jason Piao Pai), Abbot Jianxing (Phillip Ko), Yeh Ching-hua (Yu-Po Liu), and Chief Lu (Ku Feng). The supporting cast members do well with their respective roles. Alongside the main cast members, the actors bring something special to the table. Well-done.

The production for Shaolin Intruders is beautiful. There are a lot of quality design elements on display in the film. Shaolin Intruders features art direction by Ching-Shen Chen (The Adventures of Emperor Chien Lung, The Tiger and the Widow) and Kuang-Hsien Teng (The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, New Tales of the Flying Fox). The design elements are a huge part of the charm of the film – the sets and artistic elements add to the fun.

The costumes designed by Bao-Ling Wu (The Hidden Power of the Dragon Sabre, Yao hun) are stunning and a big part of the charm. Wu is a gifted costume designer. The costumes elevate the filmmaking – adding plenty to the artistry of the Shaw Brothers canvas.

The stunts coordinated by Tang Chia (Green Snake, Mercenaries from Hong Kong), Chuen Chiang (Godfather from Canton, Green Snake), Hoi-Sang Lee (Game of Death II, Lightning Fists of Shaolin), Huang Pei-Chi (Maybe It's Love, The Spirit of the Sword), Bun Yuen (Sparrow, Lifeline), and Wah Yuen (Duel of the Century, The Hidden Power of the Dragon Sabre) are impressive. The action is one of the main draws of the entire film. The choreographers bring the action to the forefront of the filmmaking.

Known for incredible action set-pieces and sequences including the renowned “Stool Array” and “Twelve Vajrayana Array” – Shaolin Intruders is bursting with action-packed adventure and epic action scenes of acclaim in the history of Shaw Brothers classics. These scenes were especially significant as choreographer Tang Chia was highly regarded as one of the greatest Shaw Brothers action choreographers. The action sequences are brimming with style throughout.  

Edited by Cho-Wen Chao (Spiritual Love, The Hidden Power of the Dragon Sabre), Chung Yiu Ma (From Beijing with Love, Love on Delivery), and Shao-Feng Yu (The Kung Fu Instructor, To Kill a Mastermind), Shaolin Intruders is well-cut. The editing team did a solid job with the production. Shaolin Intruders certainly flows well and does a nice job highlighting the momentum of the action.

The score composed by Chin-Yung Shing (How to Choose a Royal Bride, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter) and Chen- Hou Su (Hong Kong Godfather, The Boxer's Omen) is beautiful and a huge part of the charm inherent in the filmmaking. Shing and Su are gifted composers with a knack for composition. The fun music score adds to the action and heightened stakes of the drama.

The cinematography by Hui-Chi Tsao (The Long Chase, Legend of the Fox) is beautiful and there is plenty to appreciate about the visual language of the production. Tsao highlights the production with quality lensing. The photography is striking in so many beautiful ways.

Written by Ke Huang (Li ming zhi qian), Yun Ling (Excelsior), Kuang Ni (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), and Kam-Hung Yip (Just One Look), Shaolin Intruders is a fun script. The action is integrated into the storyline well. A fast-paced and exciting storyline.

Directed by Tang Chia (Shaolin Prince, Lightning Fists of Shaolin), Shaolin Intruders is a gem from Shaw Brothers. Chia keeps the focus on the action. The spectacle is the highlight – audiences come for the spectacle and stay for the heart. Shaolin Intruders is a classic Shaw Brothers gem that fans won’t want to miss.

Shaolin Intruders Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout, Shaolin Intruders is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The presentation has some impressive strengths overall. Color reproduction is an elegant aspect of the transfer. The quality presentation is crisp and free from egregious print damage, dirt, or telecine wobble.

The transfer pleases with good visual fidelity. The one downside is some occasional digital altering such as some digital noise reduction. The DNR isn't actually as bad as it could have been but there are still some moments where it is a bit softer than preferred. Nonetheless, given the condition of the source elements, it's a pleasing looking encode. Sure, a 4K restoration from ground-zero would be preferable, but given the elements Shout had to work with, it's a solid transfer of the film.

Shaolin Intruders Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a 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 encoding is pleasing and adds to the quality of the presentation. The lossless audio capably highlights details. Soundstaging is noteworthy – sound effects making a solid impression. The score is well integrated. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The English subtitles are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Shaolin Intruders Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Critic James Mudge

Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 3:37)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:09)

Shaolin Intruders Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shaolin Intruders is such a fun Shaw Brothers adventure. The action scenes are extraordinary. The production values enormous. An action-packed blast for Shaw Brothers enthusiasts to enjoy. The Blu-ray release includes an audio commentary and a selection of trailers. Recommended.