Swordsman II Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Swordsman II Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Stephen Larson May 2, 2026

Swordsman II (original title: Siu ngo gong woo: Dung Fong Bat Bai, 1992) is being released as part of Shout! Studio's four-disc box set, The Swordsman Trilogy.

Swordsman II (1992) was made at a time during Jet Li's burgeoning popularity as an Asian film star. The martial artist/actor rose to fame after appearing in Once Upon a Time in China (1991) and was nearing completion of its sequel before starring in this wuxia picture directed by Ching Siu-tung. But Li essentially had zero prep time for Swordsman II. Li's biographer James Robert Parish quoted the actor in his 2002 book (published by Thunder’s Mouth Press) as saying that he didn't enter the project with "a good sense of the protagonist’s inner motivations." Li additionally stated that he went from one movie set to another and didn't have any time to think. Li also expressed confusion to Ching Siu-tung about his character Ling Wu Chung flirting with various women in too-rapid succession.

However hurried and bewildered Li felt about Swordsman II, this sequel is easier to follow than Swordsman. Set during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the film picks up shortly after the original left off with Ling Wu Chung (Jet Li) and his sidekick Kiddo (Michelle Reis), two martial arts students from the Wah Mountain school, on their way to a meeting with the swordsmen of Hua Mountain to talk about their futures. It is Ling's preference that he retire from the martial arts world to live in peace and seclusion. But along his path Ling encounters Yam Ying Ying (Rosamund Kwan), a lover from the first film. She tells him that her clan (the Sun Moon sect) has divided into opposing groups. One is waging war against the other. Ling also learns that Ying Ying's father, Master Wu (Yen Shi-kwan), leader of the the Sun Moon sect, has been incarcerated by General Fong, chieftain of the Highlanders who will transform into Invincible Dawn (aka Asia the Invincible portrayed by Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia). Invincible Dawn plans to unify the Miao people with a band of Japanese ninjas to overtake the Ming Dynasty Court. The ninjas are led by Hattori Sengun (Waise Lee Chi-hung). Dawn wishes to use The Chrysanthemum Manual (the sacred scrolls from the first film) to achieve supernatural powers in his mission to control all of China and ultimately, the world over. Ling hopes to rescue Master Wu but must try to ward off Invisible Dawn's magic spells.

Ready for battle.

Jet Li had less experience as an actor than Samuel Hui did when he portrayed Ling Wu Chung in Swordsman. It shows in Li's performance. For instance, he doesn't brim with the same kind of confidence and maturity that Hui demonstrates. But Li more than makes up for that inexperience with his expert martial-art moves and acrobatic flying around. These are the best aspects of Swordsman II. Another intriguing element is the Essence Absorbing Stance, which is a tactical maneuver designed to briskly extract life out of intended victims. Invincible Dawn proves a formidable opponent and worthy adversary. There's a significant gender transformation in Swordsman II but I don't want to divulge who undergoes it for those who haven't seen the film before.

Swordsman II Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Unlike Swordsman, this sequel only receives a 1080p presentation from Shout! The boutique label doesn't specify if the transfer is sourced from a 2K or 4K scan. But in recent years, Shout! usually denotes if their discs are struck from 4K restorations regardless if they appear in 1080p or 2160p. This one is apparently taken from the same 2K master that was used for the 2015 Korean Art Vision Blu-ray, which also comes with an additional disc containing Swordsman III: The East Is Red. The picture is generally free of any blemishes or artifacts. It does appear soft at times. It frequently takes place at night or with dim lighting. Invincible Dawn's dungeon assumes a coarse grain structure (see frame enlargement #13). Colors (especially reds) look pretty vibrant during daylight scenes. Battle scenes are either foggy (e.g., see Screenshot #s 4 and 14) or misty (e.g., see the light cascading through the trees in capture #5). Some scenes are tinted in red (e.g., see #17). I noticed a couple shots with a very thin tramline (see one towards the middle right in #18). Cinematographer Moon-Tong Lau generates interesting photographic effects with the sun (e.g., see #10). This MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 carries a rough average video bitrate of 34000 kbps. My video score is 4.25/5.00.

The 109-minute feature receives eight chapter breaks, which are only accessible via remote.

Swordsman II Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Shout! has supplied the original Cantonese track, which is encoded as a DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono (1564 kbps, 16-bit). It has also provided an English dubbed track with the same audio codec, a DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono (1565 kbps, 16-bit). I listened to the native audio mix twice. It boasts an outstanding track! Dialogue sounds clear and sharp. The swooshing sound f/x are finely accented. Richard Yuen's original score sounds clean.

Shout! has provided optional English subtitles. (See Screenshot #s 19 and 20 for a couple samples.)

Swordsman II Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• NEW Phoenix Rising: Fennie Yuen Remembers The Swordsman II (6:39, 1080p) - a recent interview with the actor who plays Blue Phoenix. She reveals what Tsui Hark told her about the character dating back to the first film and what it was like working with Jet Li. Yuen also describes her interactions with Brigitte Lin and other actresses. She explains briefly how the action scenes were more challenging than they were in Swordsman. Yuen offers several details about the production of Swordsman II. At one point, the sound fluctuates dramatically and Yuen is barely audible. In Cantonese or Mandarin, subtitled in English.

• Trailer (2:52, 1080i) - Golden Princess' official theatrical trailer for Swordsman II presented in about 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The trailer hasn't been restored yet remains watchable. Accompanied with DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (1570 kbps, 16-bit) in the original Cantonese and subtitled in English.

Swordsman II Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Swordsman II is a wuxia classic that delivers more narrative coherence than its predecessor. The sword battles are a treat to behold. The film features one of Jet Li's better performances. I know you're disappointed that neither Shout!'s edition nor Imprint's forthcoming Swordsman box set will deliver a 4K UHD for this sequel. Still, the movie looks really good (albeit courtesy of an older master). The lossless mono mix sounds faultless. A brief interview with an actor in a supporting role comprises the lone extra. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED to fans of Jet Li.