The Final Master Blu-ray Review

Well Go USA has adeptly presented "The Final Master" on Blu-ray with a remarkable 1080p encode using the AVC codec, framed at 2.39:1. The film, shot digitally, exhibits a sleek and glossy appearance that is characteristic of such captures, though it occasionally feels slightly flat. The color palette is naturalistic, exhibiting grey and earthy tones interspersed with sharp primary colors, such as the jade in Zhao's dress and vivid blood reds. Notably, the transfer maintains solid black levels and accurate contrast. While the film may display a somewhat digitized appearance, this should not be off-putting for most viewers.

Fine details are meticulously rendered throughout the presentation, ensuring clarity even in less-than-optimal lighting conditions or scenes occurring in near darkness. Textures such as fabrics in costumes and upholstery are displayed with excellent precision. Extreme close-ups effectively capture the visceral impact of combat injuries, showcasing the cinematographer Tianlin Wang’s astute visual style. Despite occasional minor detail lapses in some wide and extreme wide-angle shots, the overall image quality is impressively crisp and clean.

The transfer benefits from a lack of discernible compression artifacts, likely due to the BD-25's sufficient capacity given the film’s moderate length and scarcity of additional materials. While a brief instance of banding was noted at the beginning, it quickly subsided, allowing the presentation to consistently deliver a highly pleasing viewing experience. Overall, "The Final Master" on Blu-ray exemplifies Well Go USA’s commitment to high-quality digital transfers.

The audio presentation of "The Final Master" on Blu-ray delivers an immersive experience, though it leaves room for the potential enhancement with a next-gen audio format like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. The film's sound design relies on inventive and dynamic audio cues that could have benefited from more advanced sound placement capabilities. That said, the included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is anything but disappointing. It provides an exceptional mix with clear dialogue, even during the most intense action scenes. The directional sound effects, such as blades slicing and long poles whooshing through the air, are vividly represented across the surround sound environment.

The LFE channel in this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is another standout feature, delivering deep and robust bass that underscores the film’s numerous fight scenes with weight and authority. This impactful LFE adds a visceral intensity to the movie, making each fight sequence feel more realistic and engaging. Surround channels are utilized effectively with consistent, aggressive activity that enhances both the score and the directional effects within battle sequences. Notably, Wei An's anachronistically modern score is reproduced with excellent clarity, adding another layer to the overall immersive audio experience.

Overall, while an upgraded audio track could have potentially elevated the experience further, the current audio offering is exemplary. It effectively balances crisp dialogue, dynamic surround activity, and powerful LFE to create an engaging and memorable sonic landscape.

The Extras for "The Final Master" Blu Ray offer an insightful glimpse into the film's intricacies, providing a solid companion to the main feature. The highly focused content includes a fun exploration of the weapons used in the film's combat sequences and a profile of the talented director Haofeng Xu, complemented by the official trailer. All pieces are presented in HD, maintaining a high-quality viewing experience. The supplementary content follows Well Go USA’s standard of automatic sequential playback, ensuring a smooth watch.

Extras included in this disc:

• Weapons Featurette: An engaging overview of the various weapons used in the film.
• Director Featurette: A brief profile of director Haofeng Xu by cast and crew.
• Trailer: The official trailer for "The Final Master".

"The Final Master" is a distinct addition to the plethora of martial arts films, particularly those featuring the iconic Wing Chun discipline. Directed by Xu Haofeng, known for his work on "The Grandmaster," this film showcases a more fictional and nuanced spin than the usual narratives around this martial art. The plot revolves around Chen Shi (Fan Liao), a Wing Chun master in 1930s Tianjin, who faces an array of socio-political challenges as he seeks to establish a martial arts academy. The film cleverly balances a playful mood with a darker undertone, diverging from the typical heroic triumphs seen in other kung fu films.

The narrative is complex, often leaving viewers puzzled due to quick cuts and fast-paced editing. The film starts with an inexplicable train sequence, then transitions to Chen's public martial arts demonstration. As Chen's friend Zheng (Shih-Chieh King) aspires to democratize access to martial arts knowledge, Chen himself must navigate Tianjin's rigid rules. To open his school, he must train an apprentice to defeat eight of the area's masters, knowing the apprentice will subsequently be banished. This element brings an intense blend of strategy and betrayal into the storyline.

Despite occasional confusion in the plot, "The Final Master" excels in its martial arts choreography. Instead of typical wire work and hand-to-hand combat, the focus is on brutal, bladed weaponry, creating visceral and gripping fight scenes. Both Chen and his prodigy Geng Liangchen (Yang Song) showcase high-level skills in these intense battles, with a particularly memorable alleyway fight scene. The film stands out for its thoughtful approach to the socio-political intricacies and its relentless action sequences, making it an engaging watch for martial arts enthusiasts. The witty dialog and dark humor interspersed throughout add additional layers to the viewing experience.

"The Final Master" stands as a unique entry in the martial arts genre, diverging from expectations with its thoughtful pacing and atmospheric shifts. Despite the occasionally confusing editing and plot direction, the film's choreography shines through with meticulously crafted fight scenes dominated by bladed weaponry. These action sequences not only highlight the skillful martial arts performances but also deliver high entertainment value, leaving viewers both puzzled and thoroughly entertained.

Technically, Well Go USA delivers an excellent Blu-ray presentation. The video encode is commendable, offering crisp and vibrant visuals that capture the film's intricate details. Similarly, the audio quality is robust with Mandarin DTS-HD MA 5.1 and Mandarin DD 2.0 tracks providing immersive soundscapes crucial for the full impact of the film’s dynamic scenes. While the disc’s extra features are somewhat lacking in depth, they do little to detract from its overall appeal.

In conclusion, "The Final Master" is a captivating martial arts film that offers a fresh perspective while maintaining top-tier technical standards. Though the narrative may pose challenges for Western audiences, the inventive fight sequences and high-quality Blu-ray presentation make it a worthwhile addition to any martial arts film enthusiast's collection. Despite its flaws, it comes highly recommended for its sheer audacity and craftsmanship.