Brotherhood of Blades Blu-ray Review

"Brotherhood of Blades," presented on Blu-ray by Well Go USA, features a breathtaking AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Despite the packaging misprint listing the picture as 16:9, the actual presentation is meticulously detailed. The film's visuals suggest that it might have been originally intended for a 3D presentation, given the abundance of immersive 'in your face' effects, such as swords and other objects seemingly projected towards the viewer. The transfer excels particularly well in brightly lit scenes where colors explode vibrantly from the screen, with reds and blues standing out remarkably. For instance, the reds in Miaotong's brothel suite and the courtiers' attire are especially striking. The color grading, especially in action scenes tinted with hues of blue, enhances the visual experience, despite some CGI elements appearing softer.

Night scenes and shadowed sequences are impressively handled with solid, inky black levels, contributing to an excellent sense of depth and detail retention in dark areas. This depth is maintained without sacrificing clarity or causing any major compression artifacts, aside from occasional banding. Image stability is consistent throughout. Fine detail is superb, particularly in close-up shots where elements like the sheen of costumes and the tufted furniture are rendered with precision. Additionally, primary colors maintain their pop without appearing oversaturated, and flesh tones are consistently natural and balanced. Overall, this Blu-ray offers a visually stunning presentation that maintains a high standard of cinematic fidelity.

The audio presentation of "Brotherhood of Blades" on Blu-ray showcases both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 tracks in Mandarin and English. The primary Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is exceptional, delivering robust and dynamic sound. Action scenes are particularly immersive, with swords and arrows creating a lively and believable soundscape. Dialogue is clear and well-balanced, complemented effectively by the score. The placement of sound effects throughout the surround channels is impressive, contributing to a cohesive and engaging audio experience. Additionally, fidelity is top-notch with no audible disruptions such as pops or cracks, making it a strong recommendation for viewers who prefer the original language.

Conversely, the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 dub falls short in terms of quality and immersion. While it attempts to mimic the original's sound design, it ultimately feels flat and artificial. The fight scenes lack the realistic intensity found in the Mandarin track, and the sound effects often appear out of place. Furthermore, the dubbed voices are poorly integrated into the overall mix, seeming more like overt narrations rather than natural dialogue, which detracts significantly from the viewing experience. Notably, lip-sync issues further diminish the credibility of the English track, making it a less preferable option unless necessary due to language constraints.

Overall, the Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides a superior audio experience in terms of clarity, dynamic range, and immersive sound design. It is highly recommended for a fully authentic auditory experience of "Brotherhood of Blades".

The extras included in the Blu Ray of "Brotherhood of Blades" are disappointingly generic, lacking original content specific to the film itself. Despite being marketed as nonspecific "Bonus Features," the extras essentially amount to trailers for other Well Go USA releases. These previews are only fast-forwardable, which may frustrate users seeking a more comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the film. The 96-second preview trailer for "Brotherhood of Blades" is well-crafted, providing a compelling setup for the movie, though it arguably reveals too much of the plot. Overall, the extras on this disc fall short of enhancing the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: This 96-second preview sets up the movie effectively but reveals perhaps too much of the plot.

"Brotherhood of Blades" stands out as a complex and refreshingly literary martial arts film set in 1627 China. Tasked with eliminating the notorious eunuch faction, three Imperial Assassins—Shen Lian, Jin Yichuan, and Lu Jianxing—find themselves caught in a web of conspiracies and shifting allegiances. The film's plot demands careful attention, as it employs multilayered storytelling with frequent backstabbings both literal and figurative. The character-driven narratives introduce personal stakes: Shen Lian’s unrequited love, Yichuan’s hidden past, and Jianxing’s ambition, bringing depth to what could have been a straightforward action flick.

Visually, the film is stunning. Despite operating on a limited budget, "Brotherhood of Blades" excels in capturing the late Ming Dynasty's aesthetic through meticulous production design and elaborate costumes. The cinematography draws viewers into a world that feels both historically rich and tangibly real. The action sequences are a highlight, devoid of flamboyant wirework and instead favoring fast-paced, gritty close combat. While the plot is dense and occasionally difficult to follow with its discursive flashbacks, the energetic pacing and well-crafted fight scenes ensure engagement. However, there are moments where the camera work feels unnecessarily shaky, detracting from the choreography’s full impact.

Ultimately, "Brotherhood of Blades" aspires to be more than its genre norms, blending intelligent storytelling with visceral action. The film's nuanced characters, historical backdrop, and intricate fight choreography offer a compelling experience. While it may not achieve its grandest ambitions due to an overtly complicated plot revelation strategy, it remains a solid period action film worth watching for its refreshing take on familiar wuxia themes.

"Brotherhood of Blades" is an exceptional wuxia film that combines intricate storytelling with visually stunning production values. Set during the late Ming Dynasty, the film unfolds an intense plot filled with political intrigue and betrayal. Despite its relatively modest budget, the film impresses with lavish sets and authentic period costumes, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The plot is complex, demanding viewers' attention, but the well-developed, interconnected characters make this narrative journey worthwhile, adding a layer of depth to the action-packed screenplay.

From a technical standpoint, "Brotherhood of Blades" stands out with rock-solid picture quality and a superb Mandarin audio track. The Blu-ray presentation by Well Go USA leaves little to be desired, providing clear and detailed visuals that faithfully capture the film's dynamic cinematography. The fight sequences are particularly notable, featuring close-up martial arts combat that is both intense and meticulously choreographed. These scenes are elevated further by the excellent audio quality, which immerses viewers in the diegetic sounds of clashing swords and battles.

In conclusion, "Brotherhood of Blades" has an unapologetically dense plot which does require a bit of attention to be paid to it, even as a cartwheeling series of action set pieces interrupts it with some regularity. Despite what was reportedly a fairly small budget, the film is often rather opulent looking, with good sets and costumes. But it's the interesting multilayered story and the interconnected characters that really make "Brotherhood of Blades" a briskly entertaining re-visioning of time honored wuxia tropes. Technical merits are very strong, and Brotherhood of Blades comes Recommended.