Tsui Hark is a master filmmaker. His movie Seven Swords is a throwback to his epic masterpieces. After the jump, find out if the new blu-ray does the movie justiceRelease Date: May 25th, 2010
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1, 1080p
Length: 2hr 23mins
Discs: 1
The Package: Seven Swords comes to us in a standard blu-ray case. The cover art is the same as the dvd. The disc art is the same as the cover art. There is not insert. Spine number is five, for those keeping track.
The Picture: This 1080p transfer, framed at 2.35:1 is good, but not great. Blacks are deep and colors are vivid. There are no compression issues, but I did detect some edge enhancement, although it is not too bad. There is an issue with DNR, though. The close-ups lack detail and faces appear waxy. Overall, this is a good transfer.
The Sound: Yet another Dragon Dynasty release without lossless sound. The 5.1 Dolby Digital track is pretty good though. There are some points where dialogue gets lost in the shuffle, but overall this is a good, if somewhat disappointing track. There is also an English track, but I found it too laughable to listen to.
The Goodies: Dragon Dynasty has ported over all of the special features from the 2-disc dvd edition.
-Audio Commentary: Hong Kong film expert Bey Logan is joined by director Tsui Hark on this very entertaining and informative track. Both Hark and Logan are able to put in their two cents about a variety of topics about the film, filling the movie's two and a half hour running time with a wealth of information and stories. I love Bey Logan's commentary tracks and this one does not disappoint.
Deleted Scenes (23min) The deleted scenes presented here are in a raw format. There is nothing earth shattering here. Just some extensions of scenes already in the movie.
Destiny of the Dragon (25min) This is an interview with star Donnie Yen. He talks about his history with director Tsui Hark, going all the way back to Once Upon a Time in China II. He also speaks about how Seven Swords came to him and his experiences making the movie.
A People's Champion (17min) This is a interview with co-star Zhang Jing-chu. Like Donnie Yen, Zhang speaks perfect English. She speaks about her childhood and her role in Seven Swords.
The Celestial Beam (25min) This is an interview Duncan Chow. He too speaks perfect English. He speaks about studying in New Zeland and his background. He speaks about working on Seven Swords and working with Tsui Hark.
Trailers: We get the US Promotional Trailer and well as the original Hong Kong trailer.
The Film: Tsui Hark's Seven Swords is a movie that feels unfinished. Like the theatrical versions of Kingdom of Heaven and Red Cliff, Seven Swords is a movie that needs to be longer. Although Kindgom and Red Cliff did have longer versions available, Seven Swords does not.
This is a shame because Seven Swords is a good movie, but not a great one. Some of the characters are underdeveloped and there are scenes that feel as if there is something missing.
The fight scenes here are incredible. Hark has always been able to put together a good fight scene and with the help of Donnie Yen he scores again.
The cinematography is top notch. Hark paints his movie with the skill of a painter. This one good looking movie.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves Tsui Hark's movies, but that is as far as I would go. Audiences who enjoy martial arts movies might find this movie a little slow and confusing.
The Scores
The Picture: ***
The Sound ***
The Goodies ****
The Film ***
Overall Score: *** (not an average)
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