The
Master (2011/Lionsgate DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: D Film: C
Lionsgate
has released 2011's The Master (aka Choi Lei Fut or
True Master), directed by Zhou Ke. It stars Hongbo Shi, Ni
Cheng, Tianlong Shi and Jintong Mai. The film has breathtaking
cinematography, choreography, and exquisite locations. One look at
the cover and you would expect something akin to Hero or House
of Flying Daggers, however, the action is surprisingly low and
the film centers more on its historical figures than action set
pieces.
In
19th-century China, during the infamous Qing Dynasty, the population
is suffering at the hands of greedy landlords, corrupt officials, and
unwelcome invaders. Hoping to unite his people, martial arts master
Chen Xiang opens a school integrating techniques from both the North
and South. But after Chen refuses to join the armies of the Qing
Prince, his mother and his students are seized. To save them, Chen
has only one path: all-out war.
Lionsgate
presents the film in standard definition with an anamorphic 16 X 9
widescreen image that could definitely benefit from a Blu-ray release
to etch out more details. As for audio, Mandarin with English and
Spanish subtitles. It also includes an English dubbing, which is
good for a few laughs.
The
only other features are trailers of other films, which Lionsgate has
a knack for doing. All in all, unless you are really itching for a
new kung fu epic this is a film you can take or leave. There are
other films in the same genre that are better than it and the fact
that the film is just not being released may raise some eyebrows.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
