Martial Arts on Blu-ray: The Ultimate Force of Four Box set

It was 18 years ago when I truly discovered the joys of the Hong Kong film industry.  Sure, everyone knows Bruce Lee and most people have seen Jackie Chan’s watered down Hollywood films, but have you really experienced the cream of Asian action cinema? 

Once I did, nothing could prepare me for the martial arts madness on display and I was hooked the second I got a taste.  I’m still a big fan and it’s great to see these legendary stars and films making it big in the west.

A new box set from Miramax (all films also available separately) features four modern-produced films heralded by western critics.  All four films are period pieces and feature a number of top notch Asian stars in glorious high definition.  The discs aren’t perfect, but are worth a look to collectors of Asian martial arts films or even those who are simply curious.  Let’s hope this is just the beginning as there are dozens more classic films I’d like to see on Blu-ray. 

The Legend of Drunken Master

Jackie Chan is one of my all-time heroes and his filmography is loaded with legendary action-comedies.  After a 16-year gap, Chan returned to one of his great film roles by making a sequel to his early hit “The Drunken Master.”  Sadly, the 1994 sequel was the last truly great film made by Chan, who has been floundering in Hollywood ever since.  Nevertheless, this new Blu-ray release will be welcomed by anyone who loves Jackie Chan, great martial arts, comedy, and jaw-dropping stunt work.

Who cares about the story?  The joy of watching any Jackie Chan film comes from focusing on the man himself.  He’s an actor, stuntman, director, and even sings his own theme music.  He’s truly one of the most talented people to ever appear on the silver screen and his appreciation of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton has influenced his impeccable blend of action and humor.

This time, Chan revisits the style of drunken boxing and as always, the work put in by his hand-picked stunt team is unmatched.  Jackie Chan exudes charisma, both on the screen and in person and he’s always been a guy audiences can identify with.  “The Legend of Drunken Master” continues this tradition and the film was wildly popular with both fans and critics

Hong Kong films aren’t known for using the best film stock or cinematography, but “Legend of Drunken Master” looks about as good as you can expect.  It’s definitely an upgrade from the DVD, but I have a couple of complaints. 

First, the movie only comes in the English language dub.  Most people won’t care, but I prefer to watch the film in the Cantonese language.  Not even giving the option is bad, bad, bad!  Secondly, there isn’t much in the way of bonus features here.  Chan always puts his most brutal flubs and outtakes on the end credits of his films, so you’d think there would be some bonus outtakes available…or even a commentary track with Chan.  Sadly, all you get is a short featurette about his stunts.  I would have loved more.  Regardless, this is a must for any Jackie Chan fan.

Movie
4 out of 5

Blu-ray/Bonus Features
2.5 out of 5, 2 out of 5

Hero

Despite possessing an all-star roster including Jet Li, Maggie Cheung (Police Story), Tony Leung (Hardboiled), and Donnie Yen (Iron Monkey/Blade 2), “Hero” is not a martial arts film, it’s art.  This is cinema at its finest and is one of the rare films that will satisfy both fight flick junkies and foreign film art snobs.

Director Zhang Yimou uses the camera and a beautiful script to deliver an emotional and exhilarating film experience depicting an ancient warrior’s journey and how his actions could affect an entire nation.  Yimou is an art house filmmaker probably best known for the unbelievable staging and design of the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.  That performance likely will not be topped for years and his incredible imagination and use of color is on full display in “Hero.”

Zhang Yimou is not known as an action director, so he turned to his friend Ching Siu Tung for help.  Those in the know will recognize him as a master of action choreography and his legendary work can be seen in Hong Kong classics as the “A Chinese Ghost Story” series and “A Better Tomorrow 2.”  He continues his incredible use of wire work in “Hero” and the action sequences are truly spectacular.  Like many wuxia (ancient swordplay films), the characters in “Hero” float through the air like superheroes, utilizing their martial arts powers to fend off entire armies and even walk on water.  It’s a far cry from the more realistic modern-set martial arts films, so consider films like this the Chinese version of “X-Men.”

Action aside, the director coaxes wonderful performances from his cast.  Jet Li is known more for his action than his acting, but he delivers a pained, conflicted performance which may be the best of his career.  Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung are true actors and they deliver the drama while doing an admirable job with the martial arts wire work.

The story is beautiful and contains a powerful message.  It’s one tailored to the Chinese audience but also calls attention to our contemporary world.  “Hero” can be appreciated by all and has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in spectacular action or the true beauty of a well produced art film.

The Blu-ray disc is excellent, presenting this story in gorgeous detail.  The disc displays the beautiful cinematography produced by Zhang Yimou and Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle and their careful manipulation of color and use of natural scenery makes this a great looking film.  The transfer isn’t perfect, but easily beats previous home video releases.

Unfortunately, Miramax has decided to maximize the audio production behind the English language dub and not the original Mandarin audio.  I almost always hate watching foreign films in English and I would prefer media companies (and the public) make better support of a film’s original language.  This is my own personal gripe.

The disc does come with some nice bonus features, including a comprehensive 24 minute look at the production (Hero Defined), interviews and anecdotes covering the extensive action choreography (Close-up of a Fight Scene – 9 minutes), storyboards and a casual and entertaining conversation between Quentin Tarantino and Jet Li (14 minutes).  It’s a fairly standard set of bonus features, but good enough for those interested in the making of this unique film.

Movie
4.5 out of 5

Blu-ray Disc and Bonus Features
3.5 out of 5, 4 out of 5

Iron Monkey

International action star Donnie Yen (Blade 2) stars in “Iron Monkey,” a film chronicling the early years of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung.  Produced in the prolific 1990’s, you’ll probably recognize the film’s director; internationally known action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping.  He’s the man credited with the (new to Western audiences) jaw-dropping wire-work seen in “The Matrix” and “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.”  Unknown to those outside of Asia, Woo-ping had been making these types of films for years.

Like a lot of traditional martial arts films, “Iron Monkey” is a period piece, set in the late 19th century.  The storyline is simple and should be familiar to most.  The Iron Monkey is a rogue, hunted by corrupt government officials.  In actuality, he’s a folk hero in the tradition of Robin Hood and Zorro, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. 

As is the norm in Hong Kong films, the movie takes wild mood swings between all-out action, tear-jerker sentimentality and even slapstick comedy.  Quentin Tarantino tells it like it is when he talks about how Hong Kong audiences demand a full cinema experience with each film.

Woo-ping’s direction is excellent and the film is nicely paced.  Much like “Hero,” the fighting is of the mystical, super-heroic quality, allowing for rooftop battles, amazing feats of strength and the amazing final battle held on top of burning poles.

The “Iron Monkey” Blu-ray is a welcome release for any martial arts fan.  Hong Kong films aren’t known for using the best in film technology so while this Blu-ray fails to match standards set by a Pixar film, it’s probably about as good as it’ll get.  The disc is unfortunately light on bonus features, containing a nine-minute “promotional” interview with Quentin Tarantino and an interesting 6-minute interview with star Donnie Yen.  This is a rehash of the old DVD release so don’t expect anything new if you owned the previous version.

Movie
4 out of 5

Blu-ray Disc and Bonus Features
3.5 out of 5, 1.5 out of 5

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi

Japanese auteur Takeshi Kitano is no stranger to fans of Japanese cinema.  “Beat” Takeshi, as he’s known, has drawn both fans and critics worldwide for his unusual acting and directing style.  2003’s Zatoichi broke Kitano out of his slump, making big box office in Japan and winning back critics with festival awards in Toronto and Venice.   Honestly, I don’t get all the hype behind this film and this is easily my least favorite film from this set.

Zatoichi is the beloved blind swordsman of Japanese cinema.  He wanders Japan using his heightened senses to win dice games and uses his sword to uphold justice and punish evil.  The series runs back to the 1960’s and includes dozens of films and television appearances.   Keeping in touch with his style, Kitano changes things up a bit, starting with the blond hair he wears.  Beyond that drastic change, the film plays like most other Zatoichi films.  He wanders into town, gets caught up in intrigue and puts the smackdown on the villains.  It’s a fairly traditional take on the character and it’s a little boring.

“The Blind Swordsman” is a nicely shot film, but fails to thrill like the other movies released in this box set.  Japanese films have always been slow-moving as compared to their Hong Kong counterparts.  Unlike Japanese Grand Guignol classics like the “Lone Wolf and Cub” series, Kitano’s “Zatoichi” uses computer generated imagery for his bloodletting effects.  They don’t work and frankly look cheap and fake. 

I think the goodwill towards this film is aimed at Kitano’s ability to rebound from a few questionable films.  “The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi” isn’t a bad film, it’s just not all that exciting. The Blu-ray looks nice and sounds crisp and clean.  Bonus features include a half-hour making of documentary as well as short interviews with the film’s cinematographer, costume designer, production designer and swordmaster.  The bonus features provide insight to the film’s production but like the film, fail to generate much excitement.

Movie
3 out of 5

Blu-ray and Bonus Features
4 out of 5, 3 out of 5