- Director : Chia-liang Liu
- Actors : Chia-Yung Liu, Kara Wai, Sheng Fu
- Media Format : Anamorphic, NTSC, Widescreen
- Run time : 1 hour and 49 minutes
- MPAA rating : R (Restricted
- Country of Origin : Hong Kong
- Distribution : 88 Films
- Release date : February 8, 2022
What’s surprising about Legendary Weapons of
China, at least in comparison to most Hollywood films, is the fact that the younger
martial artist performers in this film don’t end up being the hero. Or the
villain, for that matter. By the time the final fight comes around, the young
threat played by Gordon Liu quietly excuses himself. And the original protagonist
(however confused and misguided he is for much of the film), steps back from
the final fight. It comes down to the oldest member of the cast, who also happened
to be director Liu Chia-Liang.
The narrative
centers on former martial arts master Lei Gung (Lui Chia-Liang), who has
abandoned his kung fu order to be a simple woodcutter. The other leaders of the
order determine anyone who knows as much about their practices can’t remain
alive, and dispatch assassins to take him out. Because the assassins each come
from different groups of the order, they don’t know each other, leading to a
series of mistaken identities. Despite belonging to the order, Fong Siu-Hung (Kara
Wai) disguises herself as a man and sets out to sabotage the efforts to kill
Lei Gung made by Ti Hau (Hsiao Ho) and Ti Tan (Gordon Liu).
Although
director Lui Chia-Liang primarily focused on the realistic depiction of martial
arts in his films, and indeed includes a final fight that could double as an
exhibition of kung fu skills, Legendary Weapons of China also includes elements
of Taoist Maoshan folk magic in the narrative. The reason Lei Gung gives for
leaving behind his martial arts order is their experimentation with magic to
combat Western weapons, in particular guns. Though magic is used throughout the
film, the primary focus by the end is the skillful ability to use the 18
weapons referred to in the title.
The special
edition Blu-ray release of Legendary Weapons of China features a high
definition 1080p presentation of the film in its 2.35:1 aspect ratio, with both
the English-language dubbing and the original Mandarin soundtrack with a new
translation for subtitles. The package comes with a booklet containing still
images and an essay appreciation by Andrew Graves. There is also a foldout
reversible poster with the original theatrical Hong Kong poster on one side,
and new artwork from R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien on the other. These are the
same options of the reversible sleeve, allowing the consumer to choose which artwork
is displayed on the package and which is on the inside with the disc.
Special Features also include:
- Audio
Commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Audio
commentary with Asian cinema experts Frank Djeng
- Eighteen
Weapons - David West on Legendary Weapons of China
- Gordon
At Shaw - Interview with Actor Gordon Lui
- Titus
At Shaw - Interview with Producer Titus Ho
- Original
Theatrical Trailer
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 8/10
Historical
Significance: 7/10
Special Features: 8.5/10
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