Sword of the Assassin Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Sword of the Assassin Blu-ray Movie Review

A family tree of destiny.

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 1, 2014

The Vietnamese production, “Sword of the Assassin” (released as “Blood Letter” in its homeland), is reportedly one of the country’s most expensive movies. Budgetary might shows throughout the picture, which submits elaborate costuming, a wide range of locations, and wire-intensive martial arts sequences, supporting an epic tale of destiny and revenge. The feature also represents a flirtation with the wuxia genre, bringing that bag of tricks to a national film scene that hasn’t had the practice. Uncertainty comes across clearly during the effort’s more elaborate moments of violent engagement and escape, but what’s more troubling is the tangled plot, which seems to go out of its way to provide names and motivations without making secure introductions first. There’s plenty of narrative business to sort through, but the dramatic claustrophobia does little to dilute the sheer beauty of the film, making “Sword of the Assassin” a feast for the eyes with its dazzling colors, far off locations, and vivid costuming. Just make sure you have a pen and a pad handy to keep characterizations in check.

Nguyen Vu (Huynh Dong) has been left without a home after the slaughter of his family, seeking solace in a rural monastery. Growing from boy to man, Nguyen Vu has been raised by a trusted monk who senses powers within his charge, hoping that one day he’ll be able to control them to his advantage. Recognizing the wrath of empress Thai Hau (Van Trang) as the woman who destroyed his life, severing his noble ancestry, Nguyen sets out on a path of vengeance to reclaim his good name, chasing rumor of a blood letter left behind by one of Thai Hau’s servants, containing a confession of secrets that could topple the kingdom. Entering the fray is Hoa Xuan (Midu), a peasant girl who has her own design of revenge for the royal court. Challenging each other, bonding over their shared goal while sharpening their fight skills, Nguyen Vu and Hoa Xuan embark on a dangerous quest to infiltrate sacred ground, developing an attraction that’s tested by the unforgiving demands of the quest.

As previously mentioned, introductions are difficult to come by in “Sword of the Assassin.” It’s not an especially complex picture, tracking a familiar path of revenge, but the participants aren’t defined to satisfaction. The opening alone, where a monk engages in a fight with a concrete statue, is undeniably striking, but also inexplicable, trusting in the forgiving nature of fantasy while setting a tone of confusion that weighs down the rest of the movie. Backstory and character relationships are unnecessarily tangled, with director Victor Vu only offering a nominal effort to secure names and faces before he’s off to the next scene. There appears to be real feeling to “Sword of the Assassin” that’s mangled and buried over the course of the film. Perhaps this is a cultural issue, with Asian audiences more tuned into the vagaries of familial disgrace and royal lineage, but that type of comfort only covers about half of the exposition available here. The rest of the feature doesn’t provide a riveting escalation of stakes and loyalties, often caught trying make sense out of its network of heroes and villains and the questions of morality and honor they face, with one character, Thai Hau’s enforcer, only identified by his comic book-style appearance (ashen skin, shaved head, facial scars), keeping his true identity at arm’s length.

The story of “Sword of the Assassin” doesn’t make much of an impact, but there are other distractions to keep track of as Nguyen Vu and Hoa Xuan struggle with the enormity of their mission. Combat sequences aren’t plentiful, but they’re enjoyable, lacking a certain fist-first speed fans might be expecting from their wuxia showdowns. Vu stages the action in interesting environments, with royal grounds and villages comfortably exploited by the production, which orders up a requisite amount of flipping, flying participants and all the sword and spear-hurling activity a viewer could want.

Helping to expand the film’s horizons are celebratory tech credits, observing Vu pour his interests into costuming and period sets, with royal entanglements allowing cameras to study Thai Hau’s exquisite outfits and sizeable palace. Fantasy also demands attention, finding the movie’s hazily defined idea of otherworldly gifts taking the fight into the subconscious, blasting the frame with color and oddity, leaving interpretation of such visits up the viewer. However, the unusual asides add grandeur to the picture, bringing an epic cinematic quality to a tale that doesn’t always accept the invitation.

Sword of the Assassin Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2:35:1 aspect ratio) presentation successfully brings the HD-shot feature to Blu-ray, with terrific sharpness that helps to identify fine detail and depth. Textures are plentiful during the course of the movie, showing great power with facial particulars and ornate costuming, surveying fibrous and leathery craftmanship. Colors are equally robust, pursuing vivid royal golds and countryside greenery, preserving the production's emphasis on screen beauty. Skintones are natural. Blacks are largely communicative, but there are a few instances of crush, though little disrupts the viewing experience. It's a crisp BD event that's inviting with its precision, allowing inspection of the fantasy elements and appreciation for emotional content.

Sword of the Assassin Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 Dolby TrueHD sound mix provides a powerful listening experience, thunderously supporting the visuals, making an immediate impression with a pronounced percussion opening that brings the track to life. Sounding deep and secure, audio elements carry circular, with a strong surround presence that highlights atmospherics, directional effects for actions sequences, and an enveloping presence for the score. Dialogue exchanges aren't lost in the hustle, keeping fresh and direct, allowing performances to breathe. Low-end is sturdy and strong. "Sword of the Assassin" creates quite a commotion during its run time, but the mix carefully positions the chaos and supports the drama, making for an pleasingly immersive listen.

Sword of the Assassin Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:04, SD) has been included.

Sword of the Assassin Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Sword of the Assassin" is certainly diverting with its parade of martial arts and bloodline intrigue. Performances also rise to the occasion, with solid work from most of the cast, finding Dong suitably tortured as a furious warrior gradually rethinking his master plan, while Tang commands the screen as the empress, generating plausible power that's difficult to snuff out. Sections of the film are handsomely mounted, and there's an earnestness to the work that's appealing. Admirers of wuxia should walk away satisfied, but hardly electrified, confronted with a picture that understands the need for certain narrative and cinematic elements, but often ends up confused over how to piece it all together, unable to form a cohesive, sweeping effort. Too much of "Sword of the Assassin" feels like homework from an overwhelmed teacher, restraining the minor joys of the movie, diluting its lasting power in a genre that tends to thrive on sustained levels of operatic emotion and excitement.