Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

The Legend of Hei Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 12, 2021

It’s important to understand that “The Legend of Hei” is a prequel to a Chinese animated show, with the production working backwards to explore certain characters as they once were before the series began, giving fans a chance to experience an origin story with cinematic scale. If one isn’t aware of any connection to an ongoing tale of spirits and humans, “The Legend of Hei” is probably going to lose the average viewer once major world- building begins in the feature’s second half. Backstory is plentiful in the endeavor, but when subplots and exposition grow wearisome, the movie does offer a visually compelling understanding of different worlds and odd characters, while the action is surprisingly intense, keeping things agreeably violent and destructive to help outsiders stay invested in what appears to be China’s attempt to manufacture a Ghibli-esque take on ways of colonization and the power of magic.

Hei is a cat-like spirit who once resided comfortably in her forest home, only to be pushed out of the woods by human expansion, with industry and development slowly claiming the land. Learning to live as a street cat, Hei is soon approached by Stormend, a fellow spirit trying to provide the lost feline with a forever home inhabited by others of her kind. Disturbing the peace is Infinity, a soldier for the Spirit Guild, who takes Hei by force, with plans to bring the cat across the land to his masters for study. Along the way, Hei begins to understand Infinity’s mission, with the mystery figure looking to help the little monster develop its powers and fulfill its destiny.

Introductions are relatively simple in the movie, following Hei, a big-eyed black cat, as she realizes that her forest home is no longer safe, forced to learn a new routine of hunting to collect her meals. However, this is no ordinary cat, with Hei in possession of special powers as a spirit, beginning a character arc that has her learning more about her capabilities from Infinity, who’s introduced as a threat, gradually revealing his capacity for kindness as the story unfolds. “The Legend of Hei” is more of a trek movie for most of its run time, with Infinity and Hei crossing a dangerous land filled with strange spirits, while the B-plot follows Stormend and his quest to retrieve Hei, with a vision of his own to fulfill. During the journey, battles break out, with the production making sure to deliver tightly edited and visually aggressive scenes of war, keeping the feature lively when opponents meet in the real world and spiritual arenas.

The Legend of Hei Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a brightly colored world for "The Legend of Hei," which explores fantasy and forest realms with distinct hues, offering crisp blue skies and greenery. Clothing brings out blues and reds, and the defined black and white feline appearance of Hei is a highlight, while delineation overall is satisfactory. Animated detail comes through sharply, securing deep widescreen vistas and character textures. The primary issue is banding, which carries throughout the viewing experience, disrupting artistry at times.

The Legend of Hei Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix manages dialogue exchanges with ideal clarity, finding the emphasis of conversations and Hei's somewhat disturbing moaning quite loud at times. Performances are distinct throughout. Scoring supports comfortably, with defined instrumentation and a circular presence. Sound effects are lively, adding to surround activity with battle action and urban activity. Atmospherics are equally alert with environmental changes and group gatherings, adding some separation effects to define position. Low-end offers weight with violent encounters.

The Legend of Hei Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this release.

The Legend of Hei Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Legend of Hei" begins to widen with Spirit Guild interests and strange messages on the positive aspects of destructive human expansion, setting things up for the series as interest from all sides of the central conflict are put into position. Such development will surely dazzle viewers used to this kind of fantasy entertainment, but those without practice might find the whole effort growing colder as the franchise foundation is being poured into place. "The Legend of Hei" is a visually resplendent endeavor, but those already interested in such genre storytelling will have an easier time adjusting to its quest to establish a complex universe of powers and organizations.