The Shadow Boxing Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

The Shadow Boxing Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 27, 2024

Due to the often confounding vagaries of regions and licensing deals, while it looks like 88 Films' UK branch released The Spiritual Boxer way back in 2018, they have yet to get to releasing it here in Region A. That may or may not be relevant to some, since two of this film's many alternate titles include The Spiritual Boxer, Part II and Spiritual Boxer II. This film is certainly able to stand (and/or kick, as the case may be) on (and/or with) its own legs, though, and has the added imprimatur of being something of a family affair. Due to the perhaps even more confounding vagaries of transliterating Chinese names, billed director Chia-Liang Liu is alternately known as Lau Kar-leung, and here directs his brother, billed as Liu Chia-Yung, but who is also known as Lau Kar-wing. Also along for an often rambunctious ride is the somewhat tangentially "related" Gordon Liu Chia-hui, who was the godson of the brothers' father. The film is undeniably daffy, but might also prove to be just a little squirm inducing for some as it features quasi-undertaking as a plot point, with some of the comedy arising from what might be called, in Monty Python and the Holy Grail style, "not quite dead yet" characters.

The back cover of this release touts The Shadow Boxing as "pretty much inventing the kung fu horror comedy", but despite sometimes almost manic energy suffusing the film, it might be argued that neither the scares nor the humor ever really end up resonating incredibly well. The film probably does better overall in the comedy category, though that is often consigned to physical shtick that may or may not involve either "traditional" action sequences or some putative magic that the focal "bring out your dead" characters offer. There are some stylistic quirks at play here which may or may not derive from folklore, but some "undead" types are either controlled (or not, as the case may be) by little banners with text that are hung over their faces, in a conceit that kind of reminded me of how Jewish folklore offers Emet (Truth) inscribed on the forehead of The Golem.

I've joked recently about the sheer glut of Shaw Brothers releases coming out on Blu-ray (get prepared now for the latest huge Arrow set, Shawscope Volume Three, due in about two months as this review is being written), and that quantity may actually not redound to the benefit of this particular outing, no matter how "influential" the back cover makes it out to be. This is enjoyable fare, to be sure, and it has some decent laughs if never any significant scares, and my hunch is fans of the cast and/or director will find enough to enjoy here. The actual setting is rather unusual, but the film never seems to be able to completely capitalize on it, instead often opting for pretty low hanging fruit in the comedy department in particular. Individual tastes will of course vary, and some may find this a completely entertaining romp, but that said The Shadow Boxing struck me personally as kind of second tier Shaw Brothers fare a lot of the time.

The Shadow Boxing Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Shadow Boxing is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.36:1. 88 Films tends not to provide a wealth of technical information on their releases, and that's once again the case here, with the only data point being a back cover statement that this is an "HD transfer from the original negative". There are a couple of passing anomalies here that I think were probably due to a malfunctioning lens, where things are either slightly blurry or in same case look like quasi-ghosting, with refracted edges around objects (including humans). As with many Shaw Brothers productions, anamorphic anomalies are also noticeable, with pretty extreme squeezing toward the edges of the frame, but occasionally kind of weirdly toward the center of the frame. All of that said, this is still a really nice looking transfer for the most part, with a beautifully suffused palette and some very appealing detail levels on things like props and costumes. Grain is tightly resolved throughout.

The Shadow Boxing Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Shadow Boxing offers an LPCM 2.0 Mono track in the original Mandarin. Kind of surprisingly, this doesn't have the overly boxy, highly reverberant sound that often accompanies "vintage" Chinese productions in particular (not just Shaw Brothers outings). This track has some decently modulated dynamic range, and has an especially secure midrange which helps to support sound effects and scoring. Dialogue is cleanly and clearly presented, though it's obvious this is dubbed (sync as they say is loose). Optional English subtitles are available.

The Shadow Boxing Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer (HD; 1:06)


• Stills Gallery (HD; 1:44) plays to the film's goofy "scream" cue.

If the on disc supplements don't really add up to much, 88 Films may help sweeten the pot (magic cauldron?) for some prospective consumers by also offering a keepcase with a reversible sleeve and which encloses four art cards on heavy stock. Packaging features a slipcover.

The Shadow Boxing Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I was frankly never bored watching The Shadow Boxing, but I similarly wasn't ever incredibly engaged, either. This is a generally energetic film with some passingly effective comedy and probably not all that effective spookiness, but it's bright and colorful and has some fun action sequences. Technical merits are generally solid for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.