House of Fury Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "House of Fury," presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and encoded with MPEG-AVC, delivers an impressive 1080p transfer courtesy of Tai Seng Entertainment. This edition benefits from strong contrast, a vibrant color scheme, and notably detailed imagery. The lush colors are representative of the film's master print, contributing to an overall stable and detailed picture. No edge-enhancement or macroblocking artifacts were detected, ensuring a clean visual experience. Furthermore, the print is in excellent condition without any noticeable debris or imperfections.

Fung's colorful palette has been faithfully reproduced in this 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, offering stability, fleshtone accuracy, and primary vibrancy. The contrast is strong, creating a three-dimensional effect with naturalistic shadows and depth. Fine object detail remains consistent across various scenes, with crisp edges revealing intricate details in costumes and weapons, regardless of lighting conditions. However, a few minor issues are present, such as less-than-perfect inkiness in darkest scenes, occasional shadow crushing, and brief instances of softness in some shots. Despite these trivial flaws, the Blu-ray edition provides a gratifying high-definition upgrade that fans will appreciate.

The audio presentation of the "House of Fury" Blu-ray offers an impressive array of tracks catering to multiple languages and formats, including Cantonese: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Cantonese: LPCM 7.1, Mandarin: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 5.1, and Vietnamese: Dolby Digital Stereo. The most notable offering is undoubtedly the Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track which exemplifies the premium capabilities of high-definition audio. This track is impressively potent, delivering a dynamic presence with abundant activity in the rear channels and robust bass that will likely appeal to audiophiles with sophisticated sound setups. The dialogue remains consistently clear and devoid of any hissing, pops, or other artifacts. A comparison between the DTS-HD and LPCM tracks reveals negligible differences, both maintaining commendable quality and clear dialog.

While technically adept, the sound design choices may leave something to be desired for critical listeners. Despite the sophisticated encoding of the DTS-HD MA track, the sound effects can feel lackluster, with hits and kicks reminiscent of classic martial arts films but lacking depth and immersion. Furthermore, occasional unrefined pans contribute to an exaggerated sense of action without a corresponding auditory impact. Another point of contention is the English Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, which disappoints with its compressed nature, failing to deliver the immersive environment provided by the lossless 7.1 track.

Despite these shortcomings, the DTS-HD MA track redeems itself with clean and prioritized dialogue alongside effective use of LFE, allowing for deep low-end rumbles. The surround channels are well-utilized for both subtle and aggressive ambient effects, enhancing the musical score's distribution across the central channels. Thus, while the disc's lossless 7.1 track excels in handling technical demands, it is somewhat undermined by sound design choices that might not fully satisfy all fans of the genre.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "House of Fury" offer a mix of behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and promotional content, albeit with some repetitive and occasionally lacking segments. The Behind-the-Scenes Footage serves as an extensive look with ample raw footage from the film's production, but it lacks structured commentary, making it slightly monotonous. The Making Of Featurette, while concise, fails to delve deeply into the production process. The Interviews provide insights from the principal actors and filmmakers but often reiterate the same points. Finally, the disc includes various TV Spots and trailers for added promotional content. While enthusiasts of the film might find value in these features, casual viewers may find the content underwhelming.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind-the-Scenes Footage: Extensive raw footage from the film's production.
• Making Of Featurette: Brief promotional EPK featurette without much depth.
• Interviews: Series of interviews with principal actors and filmmakers.
• TV Spots: Various TV spots and trailers for the main feature.

Stephen Fung’s "House of Fury" (2005) is a multi-genre film that tries to combine elements of comedy, family drama, and martial arts action, yet struggles to deliver a cohesive narrative. The story follows Teddy Yu (Anthony Wong), an ex-secret agent and kung-fu master turned chiropractor who lives a quiet life with his children, Nicky (Stephen Fung) and Natalie (Gillian Chung). When Teddy is kidnapped by Rocco (Michael Wong), a vengeful ex-CIA agent, his children discover the fantastical stories he told about his past were true. They must employ their own martial arts skills to rescue him. The premise is engaging, reminiscent of "Spy Kids" and "Kung Fu Hustle."

However, "House of Fury" faces issues with tonal inconsistencies. The film’s shift from light-hearted comedy to intense Wuxia action scenes feels uneven. While some moments showcase well-choreographed fights by Yuen Woo Ping, bridging these action sequences with comedic overtones isn’t seamless. The film juxtaposes elaborate fight choreography with humor that falters, leading to disjointed narrative segments. Furthermore, character development is weak and plot holes are evident, making it challenging for audiences seeking depth.

Anthony Wong’s performance stands out as one of the film’s strengths. Despite his role not being particularly rewarding script-wise, Wong brings a level of gravitas and flexibility that enhances the viewing experience. His ability to blend with other cast members yet leave a lasting impression is commendable. "House of Fury" might appeal to younger viewers or those who appreciate light-hearted, whimsical action films, but it doesn't offer much for serious aficionados of Hong Kong cinema or martial arts purists. While it has entertaining aspects, it lacks the substance and originality needed to make it a standout in its genre.

The Blu-ray release of "House of Fury," presented by Tai Seng Entertainment, is a mixed bag. While the film itself oscillates between entertaining and mediocre, the Blu-ray presentation showcases a noteworthy video transfer that captures the vibrant and intricate fight sequences with commendable clarity. However, the DTS HD MA audio track is marred by a poorly mixed source, leading to an uneven auditory experience that might detract from the overall enjoyment. The value-added features are also underwhelming and do little to elevate the package.

On the positive side, "House of Fury" incorporates a blend of action, humor, and mild satire, creating a somewhat engaging experience for viewers with flexible entertainment standards. The visual quality on this Blu-ray is strong, preserving the kinetic energy of the choreography and the colorful cinematography. However, the inconsistent audio quality and lackluster special features could disappoint die-hard genre enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "House of Fury" isn't a groundbreaking piece of cinema, but it does possess a certain level of charm that might endear it to some viewers. With an impressive video presentation yet disappointing audio execution, the Blu-ray disc offers a watchable, occasionally entertaining experience. If you're seeking a light action film with decent visuals, taking a chance on this title might pleasantly surprise you. However, for those with higher standards in audio quality or supplementary content, it may be wise to consider other options.