Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

The Killer Meteors Blu-ray Movie Review

The Killer Meteors is an action-packed kung-fu classic originally released in 1976. The action film has gained a bit of a reputation as a cult favorite in some circles. The classic Hong Kong adventure was executive produced by Wei Lo. Jackie Chan stars.

Mei Xing He (as Yu Wang) (Jimmy Wang Yu) is a martial artist with incredible abilities and skills. He is known as the “Killer Meteors” and he uses his strength to succeed in the battlefield. Yet He finds his strength tested to the limits when Hua Wu Bin (Jackie Chan) comes to him with a request for some assistance. Can the unlikely duo find common ground as the stage is set for some major fist-fighting action- packed mayhem?

Jackie Chan delivers a solid performance in the feature-film. The performance showcases the usual action-packed energy of Chan and his superb kung-fu chops. While the role was not as expansive compared to some later-career works, the performance is a solid one.

The production has some solid elements throughout the film. The art direction by Chih-Liang Chou (Love in Chilly Spring, Jade Love) is beautiful and one of the most impressive elements of the film. The quality art direction provides a aesthetic that is pleasing and poetic.

The costumes by Yan-Hung Li (The Fearless Hyena, Shaolin Wooden Men) are one of the best elements of the film. The costuming by Li add to the scale of the film. The costuming certainly is one of the best parts of the film. There is an epic quality to these costume designs.

The cinematography by Ching-Chu Chen (Fist of Fury, The Big Boss) and Chung-Yuan Chen (The Golden Lotus: Love and Desire, The Noblest Way to Die) is exquisite and colorful. The vibrant cinematography certainly has a poetic quality and the visuals are all the better as a result. A strong effort by two expert cinematographers.

The stunts by Hsin-Yi Chen (The Shaolin Avengers, Shaolin Temple) are impressive throughout the film. The stunt work is a definite highlight and one of the key reasons to see the film. Chen delivers some impressive choreography and the staging helps bring out the best for Jackie Chan.

The score composed by Fu-Liang Chou (Drunken Master, Mantis Fist Fighter) is a highlight of the film and an essential part of the experience. The score helps to lift up the action and establish the mood for the epic kung fu. Chou did a great job with the score.

Written by Lung Ku (Chu Liu Xiang yu Wu Tie Hua, Tian ya guai ke yi zhen feng), The Killer Meteors is somewhat underwhelming in the script department. The screenplay may be one of the weaker and mixed components of the film. The story was not quite as good as I had hoped for but it was still a decent-enough script with some entertaining elements.

Wei Lo (The Big Boss, Fist of Fury) does a great job in the director’s chair. Despite an average quality script, The Killer Meteors is entertaining. There is a clear sense of ambition to the production. The filmmaking often exudes an epic sense of scale. For Jackie Chan fans, The Killer Meteors is well worthwhile even despite not being as essential as some later works.

The Killer Meteors Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, The Killer Meteors is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The presentation for the feature-film is generally decent looking and there are some good qualities to the transfer. Even so, certain viewers might be sensitive to the digital filtering to the image. The image does show some filtering that is a bit problematic at times. The weakest presentation in the set but one that still has notable qualities such as beautiful color reproduction.

In fact, I would argue the color reproduction is the highlight of the transfer as the film's colors look beautiful indeed. Unfortunately, some shots are a bit soft and smooth looking and this makes the transfer a little less enjoyable for those who are sensitive to these kind of modern touch-up efforts. Casual viewers will likely find no significant issue.

The Killer Meteors Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio is provided in Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1, and English Dolby Digital 5.1. The main audio selection is somewhat weak sounding and one of the weaker elements of the box-set – as this film sounds a bit thin and there is some background noise that was not as pleasing as during other films in the box-set. Even so, the audio is sufficient and some of the audio quality issues are clearly source related. It is nice that Shout Factory has provided such a wide and expansive selection of audio presentation options for viewers to choose from.

The Killer Meteors Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary with Critic and Author David West

Dragon Lord Hybrid Cut – an alternative cut of the feature-film presented with Cantonese mono audio (and English subtitles).

Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 4:22)

Still Gallery (HD, 1:28)

The Killer Meteors Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Killer Meteors is an entertaining action-packed film with some great Jackie Chan moments. The film has impressive scale. The Blu-ray release offers a reasonably good (if somewhat flawed) presentation. The release provides an assortment of meaningful extras – including an alternate cut and an audio commentary by critic David West. Recommended.