Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Shaolin Rescuers Blu-ray Movie Review

Shaolin Rescuers is a fun and action-packed adventure. Produced by Mona Fong (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Avenging Eagle), Shaolin Rescuers is well worthwhile for Shaw Brothers fans. The film has performances by a cast including Jason Piao Pai, Feng Lu, Meng Lo, and Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok.

The stage is set for epic kung fu battles. The game is between a group of Shaolin warriors – one could call them the Shaolin rescuers – against a group of villainous Ching soldiers. The Ching leader is a vile warlord with a commanding presence over his minions.

As the large-scale confrontation unfolds, the Mantis, Black Tiger, and Lama clans become involved in the epic battle. Can the Shaolin Rescuers save the life of Hung Si Quan? Can the Ching soldiers be defeated?

The cast of characters in Shaolin Rescuers includes Hung Hsi-kuan (Jason Piao Pai), Kao Chih-chung (Feng Lu), Chun Ah-Chin (Meng Lo), Ying Cha-Po (Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok), Chu Tsai (Chien Sun), Han Chi (Sheng Chiang), Brother Wang (Li Wang), Jin's Sifu (Tat- Wah Tso), Zeng Shiguang (Kuan-Chung Ku), Fan Tian-Cong (Hsiung Yang), Zhou Feng (Tai-Ping Yu), Tiger Kid (Chen-Tu Tan), Leopard Kid (Huang-Hsi Liu), Master Zhou Cheng (Shen Chan), Restaurant Owner (Chih-Ching Yang), Boss Huang (Nan Chiang), and Magistrate (Miao Ching). The cast does a great job with their respective roles in the production. The ensemble has fun with the kung fu epic and the performances certainly add to the charms of the filmmaking.

Shaolin Rescuers features production management by Lieh Chen (Five Deadly Venoms, Clans of Intrigue) and Nai-Pin Tsai The quality filmmaking also features art direction by Johnson Tsao (The Battle for the Republic of China, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin). Shaolin Rescuers showcases hair styling by Yen-Lien Peng (Love with the Perfect Stranger, Lightning Fists of Shaolin) and makeup by Hsu-Ching Wu (A Touch of Zen, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin). These production elements add to the style of the film with the hair and makeup contributing to the style of Shaw Brothers aesthetic audiences came to know and to expect.

The costumes by Chi-Yu Liu (Tiger Killer, An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty) are well-done. The costumes add to the production style effectively, too. Liu is a talented costumer and the cast of characters have good attire. The costume efforts add to the production style in spades.

The cinematography by Hui-Chi Tsao (Five Deadly Venoms, Shaolin Intruders) is one of the strengths of the film. The visual style of the cinematography is wonderful and enhances the aesthetic in spades. A terrific cinematographic achievement and it aids the kung-fu action, too.

Edited by Hsing-Lung Chiang (The Avenging Eagle, The Love Eterne) and Yen-Hai Li (The Kiss of Death, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), Shaolin Rescuers is well-edited and paced. The film has a wonderfully edited flow and the sense of rhythm works well for the kung-fu action. A good effort by the editing team.

Shaolin Rescuers features superb stunt-work. The stunts were coordinated by Sheng Chiang (The Sword Stained with Royal Blood, The Shanghai Thirteen), Feng Lu (Legend of the Fox, The Kid with the Golden Arm), and Robert Tai (The Kid with the Golden Arm, Five Deadly Venoms). The stunt team brought an enormous assembly of great action to the screen. The choreographers helped to coordinate great stunts between the cast members.

The score composed by Yung-Yu Chen (Five Fingers of Death, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) elevates the action and is a great backdrop to the kung fu mayhem. Chen is a talented composer and the music is a integral part of the experience. A solid score for the kung-fu classic.

Written by Cheh Chang (Ninja in Ancient China, Legend of the Fox), Kuang Ni (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter), and Nai-Pin Tsai (Little Dragon Maiden, Portrait in Crystal), Shaolin Rescuers is an entertaining script. The storyline is fun and engaging. The characters play a good part in the saga.

Directed by Cheh Chang (Shaolin Hellgate, The Sword Stained with Royal Blood), Shaolin Rescuers is a must-see for Shaw Brothers fans. Chang is one of the most respected and gifted filmmakers in the history and legacy of the Shaw Brothers. Chang delivered an entertaining film with intense action, vibrant energy, and stylized direction.

Shaolin Rescuers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, Shaolin Rescuers is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The presentation is quite pleasing overall. The transfer is good and has reasonable detail despite some softness to the image. Though not a pristine transfer or restoration, it is still crisp and clear for the most part and features notable color reproduction.

Shaolin Rescuers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles) and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. The lossless audio sounds crisp and pleasing. Dialogue is well reproduced. The English subtitles are well done and are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Shaolin Rescuers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Film Historian Brian Bankston

To The Rescue! – Interview with Shaw Brothers Actor Yang Hsiung (HD, 35:46)

Celestial Trailer (HD, 1:23)

Shaolin Rescuers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shaolin Rescuers is an entertaining Shaw Brothers action classic. The filmmaking is exciting and the stunts are impressive. The production values are fantastic.

The Blu-ray release features a solid high-definition presentation, lossless audio, and a selection of bonus features – including an audio commentary with film historian Brian Bankston and an interview with Shaw Brothers actor Yang Hsiung. A well-rounded release. Highly recommended.