Butterfly Lovers Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Butterfly Lovers" delivers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The film employs an intentionally stylized, dreamy haze, which while aesthetically interesting, brings with it certain technical issues. Chief among these is a pervasive purplish or lavender haze that pervades many sequences. This visual approach, while creating a unique ethereal quality, compromises the natural, filmic appearance due to aggressive color grading and heavy filtering. The image often appears soft, though fine object detail in close-ups and some outdoor shots offer decent depth of field, suggesting some reliance on CGI.

Grain structure appears somewhat digitized, contributing to an overall processed look, and blacks are notably faded and washed out, impacting depth and contrast. Whites are blown out, reinforcing the hazy, shimmering style of cinematography but resulting in a lack of depth and clarity. Subdued, pastel hues dominate the color palette with sporadic vibrant splashes—most notably lush greens—which briefly offer some saturation pop. Despite the print being in great condition with no signs of damage and a light layer of visible grain, the transfer's overall appearance is affected by these aesthetic choices, culminating in a presentation that feels somewhat flat and lacking in precision.

While the dreamy visual intent of "Butterfly Lovers" establishes its distinct atmosphere, the resultant high-definition presentation has mixed results. Detail is decent but compromised by the stylistic haze, making for a soft and processed look. The chosen aesthetic robs much of the film of depth and clarity, presenting a cinematic experience that is uniquely stylized yet technically flawed.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Butterfly Lovers" offers a mixed experience. The disc features a Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and a Dolby Digital 2.0 track. While it benefits from clear dialogue and a wide dynamic range, the mix exhibits an uneven and occasionally forced quality, leading to a less natural auditory environment. Additionally, the apparent use of ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) introduces slight synchronization issues, detaching the dialogue from the performances.

Surround activity in the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix reaches high points during the action sequences, where it provides bursts of engagement. However, these moments are sporadic, with front channels predominantly handling the dialogue and more subtle sound effects. Unfortunately, the overall soundstage remains relatively anemic for much of the runtime, offering limited scope and restrained ambiance. Effects work also tends to be gimmicky during high-octane scenes, detracting from the sense of immersion with forced and unrefined sounds.

Overall, while the "Butterfly Lovers" audio presentation has elements of clarity and fidelity, it falls short in delivering a consistently immersive experience. The track's few moments of adequate immersion are overshadowed by lack of texture and sophistication in the sound design, rendering the audio experience modest at best. The inclusion of wide dynamic range does help, but for a truly engaging auditory journey, listeners might find this presentation somewhat underwhelming.

The Blu-ray extras for "Butterfly Lovers" offer a mix of engaging content, reflecting the film's cultural and cinematic depth. The trailer, presented in standard definition, provides an effective preview of the film with clear Dolby Digital 2.0 audio. Each element has been thoughtfully crafted, ensuring that viewers gain deeper insight into the movie's production and thematic elements without overwhelming them with excessive technical jargon. This combination of concise, relevant, and high-quality extras makes this Blu-ray a worthy addition for any collector, delivering a thorough behind-the-scenes experience that enhances the main feature's viewing pleasure.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The film's trailer is included with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio.

'The Assassin's Blade,' initially known as 'The Butterfly Lovers,' juxtaposes romantic and action elements against a backdrop of ancient Chinese folklore. The film draws comparisons to 'Romeo and Juliet' with its poignant narrative and shades of ‘Mulan’ through its story of Zhu Yanzhi (Charlene Choi), a woman posing as a man to train in martial arts. However, it falters with a tonal inconsistency that might leave both wuxia aficionados and romance enthusiasts wanting more. The comedic elements feel disjointed as they transition into a politically fraught, melodramatic second half, which culminates in a quasi-tragic finish. Liang (Wu Chun) discovering Yanzhi's true identity early on propels the narrative but also muddles its pacing, leading to a laborious midsection.

The cast delivers varying performances; Charlene Choi's portrayal of Yanzhi, though endearing at times, stretches the believability of her male disguise amid juvenile gags and predictable reveal scenes. The film's inconsistent tone continues into the romantic subplot with Liang. Their bonding scenes, notably set in the picturesque Butterfly Valley and underscored by saccharine music, often tread into cheesiness rather than genuine emotional impact. Yet, these lighter moments sharply contrast with the film’s latter half, where intense action and heightened drama take precedence.

Visually, 'The Assassin's Blade' offers moments of brilliance, particularly the butterfly-laden hideaway sequence which evokes painterly cinema aesthetics similar to 'What Dreams May Come.' Nevertheless, the film strains to maintain cohesion. The climactic fight scenes intensify with impressive choreography and stylistic flair, yet they underscore the jarring tonal shifts. While Charlene Choi’s transition from comedic to serious acting is commendable, the overall execution remains fragmented. 'The Assassin's Blade' doesn’t quite measure up to wuxia classics like 'Hero' or 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' but its occasional splendors provide enough charm to partially compensate for its unevenness.

The Blu-ray release of "Butterfly Lovers" presents a mixed cinematic experience that struggles to blend its romantic and martial arts elements effectively. The narrative attempts to juggle both genres but ends up diluting the impact of each. While the stars exhibit strong individual charisma, the film’s comedic moments fall flat, the action sequences lack frequency, and the love story doesn't engage compellingly. However, it’s worth noting that the film excels visually, offering scenes that are meticulously crafted and pleasing to the eye.

Technically, the Blu-ray features a stylized video presentation that aligns with the filmmakers’ intentions but leaves something to be desired in execution. The audio quality is serviceable, providing satisfactory clarity and depth where necessary, though it could benefit from more robust dynamics. The absence of special features beyond a trailer is disappointing, potentially detracting from the overall value of the Blu-ray for enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Butterfly Lovers" would have benefitted from a more focused approach, dedicating itself either to its romantic storyline or its martial arts sequences rather than a tenuous blend of both. While it offers visual artistry and a charismatic cast, these strengths are not enough to compensate for its narrative and tonal inconsistencies. Fans of wuxia cinema might find some redeeming qualities worth exploring, but others might prefer an alternative selection within the genre.