Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Shaolin Prince Blu-ray Movie Review

Shaolin Prince is an exciting action-adventure gem from Shaw Brothers. Executive produced by Run Run Shaw (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Disciples of the 36th Chamber), Shaolin Prince is a thrilling classic action fans won’t be able to resist. Produced by Mona Fong (Lifeline, Painted Faces), Shaolin Prince features an impressive cast including Derek Tung-Sing Yee, Jason Piao Pai, Ku Feng, Fei Ai, Kuan-Chung Ku, and Yu-Po Liu.

The throne has been overtaken. Despite the change in power for the throne, a duo of fugitives are on a mission to take back the throne. Both of the fugitives are Princes with a determination to take control, regain the throne, and take back what was lost. The older Prince was raised by a Shaolin monk and trained in the arts of martial arts with special kung-fu skills. The Princes have a big mission ahead: regaining the thone and fighting through obstacles along the way. Can the heroes rise to the top?

The ensemble cast of characters includes Wu Tzu-tai (Derek Tung-Sing Yee), Lord 9 (Jason Piao Pai), Premier (Ku Feng), Emperor (Fei Ai), Puppet Emperor (Kuan-Chung Ku), and Miss Hsia (Yu-Po Liu). Impressive performances across the board, Shaolin Prince is a great showcase for the cast and the ensemble has a lot of fun with their roles. The acting is well-done and adds to the energy of the film. Impressive casting adds a lot to the film.

The production is well-done on numerous levels. The production quality helps to enhance the entire experience. Shaolin Prince features art direction by Ching-Shen Chen (An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty, The Tiger and the Widow). The artistry of the production is showcased through the sets, placement of props, and other noteworthy visual cues. The design elements of Shaolin Prince help to make the canvas feel larger than life.

The costumes designed by Chi-Yu Liu (Tiger Killer, An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty) are well-done and add a lot to the film. Liu is a talented costume designer. The costumes are well-suited for each of the characters. A fantastic showcase all around.

The stunts coordinated by Tang Chia (To Kill a Mastermind, Rendezvous with Death), Chuan Chiang, Hai-Shen Li, Huang Pei-Chi (The Hidden Power of the Dragon Sabre, The Spirit of the Sword), Pin Yuan, and Hua Yuen are exceptional. The stunt-work is essential to the action and the energy of the filmmaking. Exceptional stunts with expert choreography. The action is tense, adrenaline-packed, and thrilling. A delight for Shaw Brothers action fans.

The cinematography by Hui-Chi Tsao (The Long Chase, Journey of the Doomed) is something to cherish and appreciate. The visuals by Tsao are well-done and a great part of the production experience. The cinematography shines with evocative colors and lensing. The entire production landscape is more refined as a result.

Edited by Cho-Wen Chao (Long Road to Gallantry, Demon of the Lute), Chung Yiu Ma (From Beijing with Love, Love on Delivery), and Shao-Feng Yu (The Kung Fu Instructor, Men from the Gutter), Shaolin Prince is a well-paced and cut feature. Shaolin Prince has a worthwhile flow throughout. The editors got to the heart of the film and brought the best out of the production.

Written by Jing Wong (Kung Fu Cult Master, God of Gamblers), Shaolin Prince is a fun showcase for the scriptwriter. Wong did a solid job with good scripting. The story is well-done and the characters add something special to the filmmaking. A solid script all-around.

Directed by Tang Chia (Shaolin Intruders, Lightning Fists of Shaolin), Shaolin Prince is the first feature- film directed by the beloved action choreographer. Chia would ultimately helm only a few films as director but behind-the-scenes he held a long list of credits as a popular action choreographer. An impressive effort all around. Shaolin Prince is a fun Shaw Brothers gem well worth seeing.

Shaolin Prince Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout, Shaolin Prince is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The high-definition presentation is generally pleasing and satisfactory. The transfer retains a good amount of clarity and overall detail. Though its certainly a transfer with a bit too much digital alteration at times – some scenes and frames look less robust from the DNR – the overall print is still pleasing. The color reproduction is excellent. The scan is free from egregious print wear or damage. It's not a perfect restoration but it is certainly satisfying. A 4K restoration would have fared even better. Shout did well with the source material they had to work with and the encoding is solid.

Shaolin Prince 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 is worthwhile. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and engaging. The score is a nice highlight of the release. The soundstaging excellent. The English subtitles are well-done – free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Shaolin Prince Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Historian Brian Bankston

The Shaw Years – Interview with Derek Yee (HD, 16:53)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:07)

Shaolin Prince Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shaolin Prince is a ton of fun. The action-packed classic has a lot to offer audiences. The filmmaking soars with robust production merits and excellent direction. The Blu-ray release includes an audio commentary and an interview with Derek Yee. Recommended.