The Grandmaster Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "The Grandmaster" is a visually engaging experience with a few technical nuances that both elevate and challenge the viewer's experience. The Anchor Bay's 1080p transfer benefits from striking close-up details, allowing for the finest fabric and skin textures to come alive on screen. Close-ups are rich with detail, enhancing the film's stylized aesthetic. This meticulous detail, however, tends to diminish slightly in wider shots where the clarity is less pronounced. Despite this, the backgrounds and environments are rendered with impressive depth, contributing to a highly appealing film-like texture.

The film’s color palette is predominantly subdued, favoring shadowy backdrops bathed in golden-bronze hues. Nevertheless, select scenes, such as a snowy outdoor procession, break this mold with bright and well-defined colors that stand out. Contrast levels are high and manage to maintain crispness during nighttime sequences without falling prey to crush or banding. Although colors are generally warm and occasionally verge on the orange spectrum, these instances are brief and do not detract significantly from the overall experience. The black levels are deep and accurate, dipping towards crush only marginally.

In terms of shadow handling, minor color gradation struggles appear across a few shadowy faces, interspersed with occasional fine blocking and white speckles. Light grain throughout enhances the film’s aesthetic appeal. While the image is stylized with out-of-focus shots that serve Wong Kar-wai's artistic vision, these techniques sometimes introduce slight softness in various shots. Despite some minor visual inconsistencies, the presentation effectively captures the filmmaker's intent. The overall quality is commendable, delivering an immersive and detailed viewing experience.

The Grandmaster's audio presentation on Blu-ray is anchored by a commanding Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This track notably excels in delivering deep, resonant notes amid intense rainfall and action-laden martial arts sequences, ensuring an immersive auditory experience. Each raindrop, splash, and combat sound is rendered with exceptional clarity, power, and spatial precision, creating a rich and satisfying auditory landscape. During quieter scenes, the ambient effects fill the room naturally, maintaining the immersive quality of the mix. Dialogue is seamlessly presented from the center channel, ensuring clear and balanced communication. Comparatively, the English Dolby Digital 5.1 track lacks the depth and authority of its Mandarin counterpart, highlighting the native language track as the superior choice.

The soundfield expertly handles the film's dynamic range, providing atmospheric effects that enrich its opening moments. The pervasiveness of raindrop effects intertwines with the visceral impact of combat sounds, drawing viewers into the film's world intensely. Heavy action is primarily situated in the front left and right channels, with rear channels delivering nuanced environmental sounds, achieving a coherent and balanced mix. The audio mix also adeptly manages the interplay of sound effects, score, and dialogue, showcasing remarkable imaging and directionality. LFE components provide robust, deep bass that enhances action sequences without overpowering them. Although a few instances could benefit from stronger audio presence, the overall quality of this soundtrack remains impressively high.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Grandmaster" deliver a comprehensive and in-depth look at various aspects of the film, focusing on both historical context and detailed production insights. Key supplements include an exploration of the Ip Man-Bruce Lee relationship, enriched by interviews with cast, crew, and martial arts experts. Shannon Lee provides a personal perspective on her father's connection to Ip Man, while The RZA shares his thoughts on the film’s significance. Additionally, extensive behind-the-scenes content offers a multilayered view of the production process, diving into director Wong Kar-wai’s journey, actor training, fighting styles, and set design. The diverse range of content, presented in high-definition with English subtitles, ensures a thorough appreciation of the film's meticulous creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Grandmaster: From Ip Man to Bruce Lee: Insightful exploration of Ip Man and Bruce Lee’s relationship, including interviews and filmmaking details.
• A Conversation with Shannon Lee, Daughter of Bruce Lee: Shannon Lee discusses her father's history and Eastern-Western influence.
• The Grandmaster Behind the Scenes: Seven-part feature covering director Wong Kar-wai’s preparation, fighting styles, and production design.
• The Grandmaster According to RZA: RZA shares his thoughts on the film and its importance in martial arts cinema.

In Wong Kar-wai's "The Grandmaster," the sprawling biographical narrative of Ip Man, the legendary martial artist and Bruce Lee’s mentor, artfully narrows the focus between vertical and horizontal movements—both in combat and in life's broader spectrum. The film juxtaposes impeccable martial arts choreography against a richly textured historical backdrop, delivering visceral yet elegant action sequences that resonate with emotional depth and philosophical introspection. While some critics note occasional dark and overly stylized sequences, the film’s technical pedigree is consistently elevated by meticulous cinematography and direction. The use of color schemes like golden-bronze and black imbues the narrative with a moody, almost poetic quality that underscores the complex relationships and evolving character arcs.

Performances by Tony Leung and Zhang Ziyi are particularly noted as both actors excel in portraying their multifaceted characters. Leung’s portrayal of Ip Man captures his inner discipline and external prowess effortlessly, creating a nuanced performance that conveys significant emotional undercurrents. Ziyi equally excels as Gong Er, whose journey intertwines with Ip Man's through both rivalry and mutual respect. Critics praise their ability to channel their characters' emotions through minimal dialogue, relying on physical interactions and expressive gestures to reveal layered narratives.

While some lament the American edit's reduction from 130 to 108 minutes, losing much of Gong Er's character development and replacing intricate storytelling with straightforward biographical elements, the film's visual magnificence remains untouched. The opening sequence featuring a fight in a torrential downpour sets the tone for a film as evocative as it is thrilling. Despite the truncations, Wong Kar-wai’s "The Grandmaster" retains its ability to engross and captivate through its blend of dazzling action choreography and profound thematic exploration of time, tradition, and transformation.

"The Grandmaster" on Blu-ray offers an intricate portrayal of remarkable individuals navigating a turbulent era. Though occasionally structurally fragmented, the film remains a compelling, stylistically robust narrative. Visually, it’s a feast—exquisite production design, masterful action choreography, and stunning cinematography create an immersive experience. The acting is exemplary, merging refined physical prowess with profound character development. The Blu-ray presentation maintains the film’s visual and auditory integrity, ensuring a satisfying home viewing experience.

While the American edit of "The Grandmaster" may draw mixed reactions, especially from those acquainted with the superior original Chinese version, it still stands as a worthy rendition. The edit might lose some narrative coherence but compensates with vibrant energy and thematic depth, touching upon the relentlessness of time. Comparative viewing with the original version can enhance one's appreciation for both iterations, highlighting the strengths of each. The differences, while notable, do not detract entirely from the film's essence, making it a valid option for those unable to access the original cut.

The Grandmaster is a fine film, not quite so captivating and complete as Ip Man but certainly a stylish and worthy picture about extraordinary people living in a tumultuous time. It's skillfully crafted and only occasionally structurally disjointed. The production design, action choreography, and photography are excellent. The acting -- both the physical performances and the layered character depth -- is above reproach. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of The Grandmaster features solid video and audio. Extras prove more satisfying than they initially appear. Highly recommended.