Shawscope Volume Two Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Shawscope Volume Two Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 22, 2022

Note: Arrow's US distributor sent check discs and a press sheet for purposes of the review, but Arrow itself is sending a retail final of this release and has already kindly provided some "insider" information that my reviews utilize. If the retail final turns out to have any differences from the published reviews, I'll include updates as necessary.

The good news is if you have a martial arts fan you've been worried about finding an appropriate holiday present for, your prayers have been answered (for the second year in a row in fact), by the thoughtful folks at Arrow Video, who are returning to the evidently bottomless well that gave lovers of a certain Hong Kong studio one of 2021's most impressive releases, Shawscope Volume One. The bad news is, if you're a martial arts fan intrigued by this new release, you're going to have to put the rest of your life on hold to make it through not just a glut of Shaw Brothers films, but an immense assortment of supplemental material. As with the first volume of Shawscope, there's probably no doubt that some films will appeal to some viewers more than others, but the sheer variety of films in this set, along with an authoritative set of bonus features, will almost certainly make this a marquee item for genre aficionados.

For reviews of the films in this set, please click on the following links:

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Blu-ray review

Return to the 36th Chamber Blu-ray review

Disciples of the 36th Chamber Blu-ray review

Mad Monkey Kung Fu Blu-ray review

Five Superfighters Blu-ray review

Invincible Shaolin Blu-ray review

The Kid with the Golden Arm Blu-ray review

Magnificent Ruffians Blu-ray review

Ten Tigers of Kwangtung Blu-ray review

My Young Auntie Blu-ray review

Mercenaries From Hong Kong Blu-ray review

The Boxer's Omen Blu-ray review

Martial Arts of Shaolin Blu-ray review

The Bare-Footed Kid Blu-ray review

Shawscope Volume Two Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality of each film is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Shawscope Volume Two Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Shawscope Volume Two Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Arrow has packaged this release with several discs containing two films. Each review linked to above lists the supplements listed under their separate menus, though several discs have supplements that are shared between the two films on that particular disc, in which case I've notated that fact. In terms of non-disc supplements, this is another almost overwhelming release from Arrow which combines really gorgeous packaging with a wealth of fantastic information imparted in a really nicely designed insert booklet. This set is a fitting (in more ways than one) companion piece to Shawscope Volume One, with packaging that matches the first volume's approximately 11" wide by 7" high by 2" deep dimensions. This also follows the first volume's inclusion of a kind of DigiBook with cardstock sleeves holding the discs. Along with the Blu-ray discs, two Soundtrack CDs are also included. There's also that aforementioned booklet, which has information (a lot of information) on each film.

Shawscope Volume Two Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Anyone who picked up Shawscope Volume One when it became available and who has managed to make it through that set in the intervening year or so may finally have time for this second volume, which is another huge collection of films and supplements that have been well curated and beautifully packaged. Not all of these films are undiscovered masterpieces, but you'd be hard pressed to find a total clinker in this set. Technical merits are a bit variable, but generally solid, and as usual with Arrow's releases, the supplements both on disc and non-disc, are first rate. Highly recommended.