The King of the Streets Blu-ray review

 

Actors: Yue Song, Li Yufei, Kang En, Yang Jianping, Yang Junping

Director: Yue Song

Format: Blu-ray, Dolby, NTSC, THX, Widescreen

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: August 6, 2013

Run Time: 88 minutes

 

        The storyline in the King of the Streets is more than a little familiar, but I suppose when you make a movie filled with martial artists and fighters it becomes about something other than the narrative. The story and the acting appear sketched in, minimizing all but fight scenes which are plentiful. Star Yue Song is also the writer and co-director, making certain that he showcases his own real-life abilities above all else. This makes for entertaining action in a shell of a tired storyline.

 

        Yue Song plays Yue Feng, a character whose name shows the creativity in the writing process. Feng was once a brilliant street fighter, able to take on an endless number of attackers until an accidental death sent him to prison for eight years. After being released, Feng makes a vow not to fight anymore, but thankfully this is not taken very seriously. Most films would show the struggle within the character as he decides that the cause he is fighting for is worth ending his vow, but The King of the Streets doesn’t bother with pesky details such as characterization or convincing storylines. Instead, Feng just jumps right in and begins fighting as if he had never stopped. This is justifiable because he is fighting for the safety of a group of orphans, in another lazy manipulation of the storyline.

 

        None of the horrible screenplay seems to matter once the fighting begins, especially since the cast seems mostly comprised of top contenders in MMA, Jiu-jitsu, Jeet Kune DO, Sanda, and Muay Thai boxing. Any of the scenes of dialogue just get in the way of the action in this Bruce Lee wannabe. Watch it for the action alone, with little else needing to be skipped over. For the life of me I can’t even remember a scene with Song talking, though I’m sure it must have happened at some point in the 88 minute running time.

 

        The Blu-ray release includes no special features to discuss, and the only reason for high definition is for the extra punch it gives playback of the fight scenes.

 

Entertainment Value: 7/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 4/10

Historical Significance: 3/10

Disc Features: 0/10