- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4 (2D); MVC (3D)
- Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
- Audio Codec: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/16-bit), English Dolby Digital 2.0
- Subtitles: English (2D Blu-ray only), English SDH
- Subtitles Color: White
- Region: A (Region-Locked)
- Rating: R
- Run Time: 122 Mins.
- Discs: 2 (1 x Blu-ray 3D + 1 x Blu-ray)
- Digital Copies: N/A
- Studio: Vivendi Entertainment
- Blu-ray Release Date: October 2, 2012
- List Price: $29.93
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Overall
[Rating:4.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
2D HD: [Rating:5/5]
3D Effect: [Rating:5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(All TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
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The Film
[Rating:4/5]
Jet Li (The Expendables; Hero) returns to the wuxia style that is his true element in Flying Swords of Dragon Gate. In this awesome and sprawling original 3D martial arts epic, Li plays Zhao, a roaming vigilante during the Ming Dynasty who hunts down corrupt officials. When the power is split between two administrative bureaus, the West Bureau and East Bureau, a feud for power is set off. Setting the plot off is a beautiful handmaiden, Su Huai Yong (Mavis Fan), who escapes from the palace, pregnant with what could possibly be the Emperor’s child. With the emperor’s concubine concerned that Su Haui could be carrying a child with claims to the throne, she sends her lapdog Yu Hua Tian (Chen Kun), head of the West Bureau to hunt her down and kill her. Su Haui is rescued by the beautiful lady knight Ling Yan Qiu (Xun Zhou) and the two head to the Dragon Inn in the middle of the desert with a black sandstorm threatening. This is where the action really starts, as all three parties meet up, Zhao, whose romantic past with Ling Yan has been hinted at, and Ling Yan who has a connection to the Inn’s past are reunited at the inn amongst a crowd of rowdy rabble rousers, while an ultimate confrontation with Yu Hua Tian is destined. Of course, there has to be a reason why everyone has gathered here in this out of the way inn while a dangerous sandstorm looms. In this story filled with multitudinous people of dubious and duplicitous character, it is to uncover the riches of treasure that supposedly are hidden under the inn.
There are too many subplots in the film to cover here in this review and, without knowing the background of the two previous films, one can easily find oneself lost in the thicket of dense conspiracies and backstories, but ultimately Flying Swords of Dragon Gate is a film of spectacle, action, and adventure, and on that count, whether you are familiar with the story or not, it amazes. It is resplendent with unbelievable aerial martial arts choreography, miraculous vistas, and unrelenting action. After a second or third time through, the story and its numerous characters will more likely than not become easier to follow.
Video Quality
2D HD: [Rating:5/5]
3D Effect: [Rating:5/5]
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate was an original 3D production shot using the Red Epic and Red One MX cameras. Chuck Comisky, the visual effects supervisor on Avatar, worked as the director of 3D effects as well.The result is one of the most spectacular live-action 3D films to come along on Blu-ray since Underworld: Awakening. They take advantage of the 3D production at every turn, so get ready for lots of flying blades, in keeping with the film’s title. There is a great sense of back to front depth and lots of pop-out. Little to no crosstalk is a big plus as well. Unfortunately, the 3D disc is only given English SDH subtitles. This is fine for those who need them, I’m sure, but for the rest of us who don’t speak Mandarin and have no issues with our hearing, it can get annoying, particularly the way these subtitles follow the characters around the screen. For those non-3D viewers, the image looks great as well, with strong colors and contrast, little artifacts and lots of detail.
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/16-bit) soundtrack sounds just a little harsh in the higher frequencies at times and a little bit cluttered, but overall the mix works as it is exciting and surrounds you with lots of sounds and provides a hefty amount of low frequencies.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]
Nothing much here is very in depth, but your best bet is the 20-minutes of interviews.
The supplements:
- Making of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate Part 1 (1.33:1; SD; 00:04:48)
- Making of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate Part 2 (1.33:1; SD; 00:09:16)
- Interviews with Cast and Filmmakers (1.78:1; SD; 00:20:21)
- Behind the Scenes (1.78:1; 00:32:21) – This is simply a half-hour of B-roll.
- Trailer (2.35:1; SD; Dolby Digital 5.1)
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:4/5]
There’s little to hate and much to love in Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, from the amazing cinematography to the almost flawless 3D presentation (if you’re 3D capable), the great sense of adventure, and acrobatic choreography, this is Jet Li at his best.
Additional Screen Captures
[amazon-product]B008IG0E3Q[/amazon-product]
Purchase Flying Swords of Dragon Gate on Blu-ray 3D+Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
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[amazon-product]B008IG0E3Q[/amazon-product]
Purchase Flying Swords of Dragon Gate on Blu-ray 3D+Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:4.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
2D HD: [Rating:5/5]
3D Effect: [Rating:5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2/5]
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