Jackie Chan

Blu-Ray Round Up: Jet Li, Jackie Chan Highlight ‘Ultimate Force of Four’

BrianTT — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:56:11 -0600

CHICAGO – Attention martial arts fans, Buena Vista Home Video recently released a wave of martial arts films on Blu-Ray under the title “The Ultimate Force of Four” box set, including one of Jet Li’s best films, the spectacular “Hero,” from director Zhang Yimou. “Hero” is easily the highlight of the quartet of recent HD releases but “Iron Monkey,” “The Legend of Drunken Master,” and “Zatoichi” will all satisfy fans in 1080p (as long as they’re not purists about audio tracks).

Three of the four titles are merely HD imports of special features and films already available on standard DVD. The exception is “Hero,” which includes an all-new featurette and a digital copy, but is actually one of the most divisive Blu-Rays of the year. Miramax/Buena Vista has made the baffling choice to include a higher caliber quality of audio for the dubbed tracks on “Hero,” “Iron Monkey,” and “Zatoichi” than the original language tracks.

It’s a shocking and shameful choice. “Monkey” and “Zatoichi” haven’t stirred up as much controversy as “Hero,” mostly due to that film’s higher level of popularity, but any good movie fan will tell you that the original language track should be presented in at LEAST the same level of quality as the dub, arguably better quality to encourage more viewers to watch these films the way they were intended.

With the exception of “Hero,” the other three titles are a missed opportunity to include a new special feature on any of the releases, but not at all surprising. As the Blu-Ray revolution picks up steam, more and more films are merely being ported to Blu-Ray. It’s up to you to decide if they’re worth the upgrade. Synopsis, tech details, and special features follow.

“Hero”

Photo credit: Miramax

Synopsis: “This visually stunning cinematic masterpiece gives you the definitive Blu-Ray High Definition experience with its spectacular picture and theater-quality sound. Master filmmaker Quentin Tarantino presents “Hero” - starring martial arts legend Jet Li as a fearless warrior who rises up to defy an empire and unite a nation. With supernatural skill - and no fear - a nameless soldier (Jet Li) embarks on a mission of revenge against the fearsome army that massacred his people. Acclaimed by critics and honored with numerous awards, Hero was an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee.”

“Hero” stars Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Dao Ming, and Donnie Yen. It was written by Li Feng, Zhang Yimou, & Wang Bin and directed by Yimou. The film is presented in 1080p High Definition with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English 5.1 DTS-HD track and Chinese, French, and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital. Yes, the English dub track is higher quality than the original language of the film. It’s a ridiculous, indefensible decision.

Special features on “Hero” include the new “Close-Up of a Fight Scene,” “Inside the Action: A Conversation with Quentin Tarantino & Jet Li,” “Hero Defined - Making-Of Featurette,” “Storyboard,” “Soundtrack Spot,” and a digital copy of the film.

“Iron Monkey”

Photo credit: Miramax

Synopsis: “With sensational, nonstop martial arts excitement supplied by the acclaimed choreographer of The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Iron Monkey is the spirited tale of a mysterious and mythical Chinese legend - now with pristine picture and theater-quality sound on Blu-Ray Disc. In a desperate and unjust land, where government corruption rules the day, only one man - known as the Iron Monkey - has the courage to challenge the system and fight back. Under the shadow of night, in the silence before dawn, he fights to give hope to the poor and the oppressed. Although no one knows his name or where he comes from, his heroism makes him a living legend to the people - and a wanted man to the powers that be. Presented by Quentin Tarantino - it’s the exhilarating action adventure critics everywhere have called one of the greatest martial arts films of all time.”

“Iron Monkey” stars Yu Rong Guang, Donnie Yen, Jean Wang, and Tsang Sze Man. It was written by Tsui Hark, Elsa Tang, & Lau Tai Mok and directed by Yuen Wo Ping. The film is presented in 1080p High Definition with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English 5.1 DTS-HD track, Chinese 5.1 Dolby Digital track, and a Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital track.

Special features on “Iron Monkey” include an interview with Quentin Tarantino and an interview with Donnie Yen.

“The Legend of Drunken Master”

Photo credit: Miramax

Synopsis: “The action legend himself - Jackie Chan - explodes across the screen on Blu-Ray Disc in a power-packed adventure that critics agree captures some of the most incredible action stunts ever. When the British government is discovered smuggling precious Chinese artifacts out of the country, folklore hero Wong Fei Hung (Chan) uses his uniquely outlandish style of martial arts - Drunken Boxing - to fight the conspirators and salvage the valuables before it’s too late. And the more Hung drinks, the more agile he becomes - able to fend off numerous attacks with unbelievable moves. With Chinese treasures and family pride on the line, Hung, steps up to every challenge. It’s a fun and unstoppably entertaining hit in Blu-Ray High Definition.”

“The Legend of Drunken Master” stars Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Ti Lung, Lau Ka Leung, and Andy Lau. It was written by Edward Tang, Tong Man Wing, & Yuen Chieh Chi and directed by Lau Ka Leung. The film is presented in 1080p High Definition with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English 5.1 DTS-HD track, French 5.1 Dolby Digital track, and a Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital track.

Special features on “The Legend of Drunken Master” includes “Behind the Master: An Interview with Jackie Chan”.

“The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi”

Photo credit: Miramax

Synopsis: “Inventive and bold, this film shines with pristine picture and theater-quality sound on Blu-Ray Disc. In an empire ruled by fear, the people’s only hope is the ultimate weapon: Zatoichi (Takeshi Kitano) - a blind, nomadic samurai whose sword has made him a hero and whose courage has made him a legend. Determined to help the desperate residents of a village, Zatoichi seeks justice through revenge. It’s a wildly entertaining film that’s even more brilliant in Blu-Ray High Definition.”

“The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi” stars Beat Takeshi, Tadanobu Asano, Michiyo Ogusu, Yui Natsukawa, Guadalcanal Taka, Daigoro Tachibana, Yuko Daike, Ittoku Kishibe, Saburo Ishikura, and Akira Emoto. It was written and directed by Takeshi Kitano. The film is presented in 1080p High Definition with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English 5.1 DTS-HD track, Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital, and Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital track.

Special features on “Zatoichi” includes “Behind-the-Scenes Special” and “Exclusive Interviews With Crew”.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Directors Mark Osborne, John Stevenson Create Balance Between Action, Zen in ‘Kung Fu Panda’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:01:00 -0600

CHICAGO – In this summer movie season of old men with whips, gals in stilettos and superheroes a go-go, you may ask: “Where’s the cartoon?” (“Speed Racer” doesn’t count.) Indeed, the most highly anticipated animation event of the summer is “Kung Fu Panda”.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Filled with the voices of “A”-list Hollywood stars and featuring a classic combination of well-choreographed action, laugh-out-loud comedy and feel-good philosophy, “Panda” doesn’t pander and works on all levels.

HollywoodChicago.com recently interviewed “Kung Fu Panda” co-directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson about putting together a major animated project for the first time and how their lead actor, Jack Black, helped shaped the destiny of the final product.

After having spent 20 years in the inescapable Chorh-Gom Prison, Tai Lung (Ian McShane) makes his daring escape in DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda”.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

“There was a general desire to return to that classic, timeless sense of story that Mark and I remembered as we were growing up,” Stevenson said. “We just wanted to make a story and a world that would endure and would be its own, self-contained universe.”

Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy and train in the art of kung fu, giant panda Po (Jack Black, above) begins his study under Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman, below) in DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda”.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

“As for the films that inspired us most with animated action, there is no higher bar than ‘The Incredibles,’” Osborne said. “That was a film we looked at not necessarily as a template but for the level of quality and sophistication of the action.”

Jack Black is cast perfectly as the voice of Po: a lumpy panda bear working at his father’s noodle shop in China’s Valley of Peace. Po is an advocate of the fighting cult of kung fu and has kept up with the heroics of the “Furious Five” – Monkey, Mantis, Crane, Viper and Tigress – animals based on the fighting style.

They have been trained to protect the valley by Master Shifu (the voice of Dustin Hoffman) against the rages of evil, avenge-seeking tiger Tai Lung (Ian McShane). One of the five is about to be crowned the top warrior, which is also known as the “Dragon Master”.

Osborne praises the lead voice actor: “We rewrote and rebuilt the original story around Jack Black. That was one of the great things that happened in the genesis of the project. It is perfect casting.”

He added: “There was a lot of inspiration from Jack as a person, Jack’s movie characters and what we knew of Jack especially in association with Tenacious D. We took a lot of inspiration from all that in creating this ultimate fanboy character.”

Seth Rogen voices the fast and quick-tempered Mantis (one of the legendary Furious Five) in DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda”.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

“Jack gave a huge gift really early on about bending the concept to make it work,” Stevenson said. “There were interesting choices to be made and it all came from Jack.”

He added: “When he started doing his first sessions as Po, we all imagined that it might be Tenacious D Jack or something more cocky and abrasive. But Jack himself started to do these more vulnerable and ‘self aware of your failings’ kind of readings.”

Through a series of misadventures, Po becomes the Dragon Master and must endure the rejection and jealously of the Furious Five along with Shifu’s reluctant training. When Tai Lung escapes from prison, it’s up to Po to put into practice the teachings of his master and trust what he has learned to defeat the foe.

The story evolved through several renderings before Osborne and Stevenson found the right tenor.

Stevenson explained: “While we knew Po would eventually have to go one on one with Tai Lung, we didn’t want him to cheat, use magic, turn into Bruce Lee all of a sudden or have him do things you hadn’t seen him do before.”

He continued: “In the Tao Te Ching, there was this stanza in there: ‘The sapling that bends in the breeze is greater than the mighty oak that is rigid.’ It ends with this couplet: ‘The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome.’ When we read that, we said ‘hurrah’! We found our overall philosophy.”

“Also, the philosophical underpinning of the story is that Master Shifu and Po are a balance of opposites,” Osborne expressed. “Villain Tai Lung and Po are a balance of opposites. We thought to build everything on that and we started to discover things.”

RELATED IMAGE GALLERY
View our huge, high-resolution “Kung Fu Panda” image gallery.

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Read more film reviews from critic Patrick McDonald.

The fluid nature and the excitement of the action sequences – epic without being cartoony – are the centerpiece of the film’s legitimacy.

“One of the big conceits of the film was to use the five original animal fighting styles,” Stevenson said. “The Furious Five in the film actually personify them. It was kung fu in such a way that honored its source, but it also did it in a way you’ve never seen before because it was animals doing it instead of human beings.”

Bring the kids and line up for the popcorn as the result is a fundamental balance and a perfect summer animated classic. Osborne concluded: “It had to be authentic and still feel like kung fu, but at the same time, we knew we had to find our own path and our own way of doing things.”

In all, “Kung Fu Panda” features the voice talent of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Dan Fogler and Michael Clarke Duncan.

“Kung Fu Panda” opened everywhere on June 6, 2008.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com