China Salesman Blu-ray Review

"China Salesman" is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of MVD Visual and Cleopatra Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.22:1. The digitally captured presentation offers rather nice detail levels when lighting conditions allow. The palette occasionally leans towards a brownish hue, yet bursts of color effectively intrude, adding vibrancy to the visuals. Notable technical concerns include some banding in scenes depicting North African skies. However, these issues are relatively minor and do not significantly detract from the overall visual experience.

Say what you will about "China Salesman" as a movie, but its HD video quality stands out with bold definition and perfect clarity. From close-ups to panoramic shots, the 1080p transfer provides razor-sharp clarity and impeccable contrast, often surpassing many recent Hollywood productions in sheer video quality. The presentation in 2.39:1 format showcases the capabilities of an experienced Chinese film crew working with a substantial budget by regional standards. Despite some highlights being slightly washed out, the pristine footage maintains impressive detail levels throughout its 110-minute runtime.

Overall, "China Salesman" delivers a visually compelling Blu-ray experience, characterized by crisp imagery and vivid colors. While minor technical imperfections exist, the quality of the AVC encode and digital cinematography ensure that this presentation is a high-caliber addition to any collection.

"China Salesman" on Blu-ray features a 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track that reasonably immerses the viewer, though the absence of a lossless option like DTS or Dolby TrueHD is notable. The audio mix is aggressive and well-suited for action enthusiasts, with discrete effects panning effectively across channels, enhancing fight scenes and moments of bustling activity in the North African settings. However, the overall audio fidelity is hampered by its lossy compression. The dialogue, often dubbed in post-production, remains intelligible but lacks the depth and clarity a lossless track would provide.

One technical issue to note is the noticeable mismatch between some characters' lip movements and their dialogue, suggesting rushed post-production work. Tyson's dubbing, in particular, stands out as poorly synced, potentially distracting viewers. Additionally, forced English subtitles accompany the Chinese dialogue segments (unspecified whether Mandarin or Cantonese), but there are no optional subtitles for the English dialogue, which may inconvenience some viewers. Despite these drawbacks, the audio presentation is serviceable for a home theater experience if not scrutinized for artistic precision.

The Blu-ray of "China Salesman" offers a modest selection of extras that align well with the film's thematic focus, providing insights into behind-the-scenes activities and promotional materials. The Slideshow feature presents set and production shots in a visually appealing sequence. The Promotional Featurette essentially serves as another trailer, conveying the movie's essence through a concise montage. Additionally, the China Salesman Theatrical Trailer complements the promotional content, capturing key highlights of the film. Enthusiasts of Cleopatra Entertainment will find an array of HD-quality trailers from their extensive catalog, all geared towards further engagement with their cinematic offerings.

Extras included in this disc:

• Slideshow: Shots from the set and the production autoplay.
• Promotional Featurette: Another trailer-like promotional video.
• China Salesman Theatrical Trailer: The original theatrical trailer.
• Cleopatra Entertainment Trailers: Six trailers for other releases, viewable as a loop or individually.

"China Salesman" is an endearingly bizarre action film, underpinned by a ramshackle production quality that becomes evident as early as the initial credit sequence, which contains a notable typo. Directed by Tan Bing, this Chinese production with a global cast posits itself in North Africa, weaving a complex storyline about Yan Jian (Dong-xu Li), a Chinese telecom engineer competing to secure a vital contract for his employer, DH Telecom. The plot thickens with the intrusion of covert operatives and geopolitical schemes, leading to an exaggerated civil conflict backdrop. Despite the potential intrigue regarding corporate espionage and ethical dilemmas around proprietary technology, the narrative is hampered by underdeveloped characters and disjointed sequences.

Prominently advertised with the tagline "Tyson vs. Seagal," the film paradoxically diminishes the presence of both celebrities. Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal (billed amusingly as "Steve") are relegated to tangential roles, with Tyson portraying tribal leader Kabbah and Seagal as mercenary Lauder. Their oddball clash is one of the film's more bewildering moments, further diluted by inconsistent English dialogue delivered by an international cast. While the movie attempts to critique Western influence and promote Chinese initiatives in developing regions, its overt nationalist underpinnings and crude propaganda overshadow its thematic aspirations.

The film's special effects are subpar, though the staging of large-scale actions in the African desert offers some visually engaging combat scenes despite a modest budget. However, "China Salesman" ultimately stands out as an example of how not to blend commercial motives with political messaging—an entertaining yet flawed collision of East meets West cinema that inadvertently pushes viewers to witness its clumsiness firsthand. For all its faults, if watched with lowered expectations and a sense of humor, it can be an amusing exercise in cinephilic curiosity.

"China Salesman," ostensibly an action-packed venture starring powerhouse names like Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal, surprisingly focuses on the burgeoning telecommunications industry in North Africa. The film, though promising, delivers an odd blend of elements where the plot's serious tone starkly contrasts with what could have been a much more entertaining experience if it embraced a lighter, more humorous approach. The final scene provides a fitting yet oddly reminiscent nod to classic films like "The Robe" with its peculiar mix of peril and romantic closure.

For those seeking high-definition thrills, the Blu-ray edition of "China Salesman" does not disappoint in terms of visual quality, offering a largely satisfying viewing experience despite some minor video anomalies. However, it's regrettable that Cleopatra opted to feature only lossy audio, which diminishes the overall impact of the action sequences that otherwise thrive on immersive sound details. The narrative might not demand heavy intellectual engagement, as it predominantly centers around combat scenes featuring a myriad of weapons, ensuring an adrenaline rush without necessitating deep plot analysis.

In conclusion, "China Salesman" serves best as a source of unintentional comedy when watched with friends, providing a unique form of entertainment. One can't help but marvel at the extreme lengths and financial investments poured into this "masterpiece," making it a curious addition to anyone's action movie collection. If approached with the right mindset, particularly enjoying the unintentional humor and combat sequences, it can deliver a surprisingly enjoyable night in front of your home theater setup.