Jiang Ziya Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Jiang Ziya" by Well Go USA is a visual feast, featuring an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. This film's digital realm delivery is rich with a resplendent palette, ensuring vibrant colors and intricate details. The film employs two distinctive animation styles—a lushly vivid prologue and a different texture for the main story. Reds and purples stand out particularly well, and nuanced details like the woven texture of Jiu's sweater and the fur on Four Alike are precisely rendered. However, the image is occasionally marred by banding, visible mainly in segments with large skies or mist-filled scenes, which can interfere with the otherwise stellar visual quality.

"Jiang Ziya" stands out for its breathtaking art direction and lighting, regarded as some of the finest in animated CG films on Blu-ray. The 2.35:1 presentation brings to life characters from Chinese folklore in dazzling color with inspired animation that, while not reaching the technical polish of Pixar's latest offerings, delivers beautiful and fluid CG animation. The strongly saturated primary colors and gradients are largely pristine, despite minor instances of posterization and banding. Notably, the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon’s design glows with an intensity rarely seen outside HDR realms, indicative of the film's vibrant eye candy that appeals to audiences of all ages.

Despite a few minor technical issues, the animation quality is spectacular, matching Hollywood's best while imbuing more soul and creativity. It's disappointing that Well Go USA has not opted for a UHD release, especially when its predecessor "Ne Zha" received a well-regarded UHD version. One can only speculate how remarkable the film would look with a Dolby Vision pass that could further enhance its brilliant color palette and striking designs.

The Blu-ray release of "Jiang Ziya" features robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks in both the original Mandarin and an English dub, each offering a distinct yet equally compelling audio experience. The Mandarin track, preferred by many for its authentic resonance, presents a well-balanced mix with high-detail dialog, sound effects, music, and subtle yet effective low-frequency effects that enliven the space without overwhelming it. The mix is crystal clear, free from edginess, and offers a polished auditory landscape. The surround channels are well-engaged throughout, creating an immersive soundstage that envelops the listener in the film's fantasy-laden audio design.

The English dub, led by the acclaimed voice actor Chris Sabat, is meticulously produced, ensuring that the essence of the original performance is retained. Both the Mandarin and English audio tracks feature exceptional dialogue clarity and are supported by dynamically compressed but powerful bass, ensuring a thorough sensory experience during action-packed sequences. The surround channels are heavily utilized, offering pinpoint separation and wide dynamic range that enhances battles and critical moments with rigorous extension and a smooth musical score.

In addition to optional English subtitles, which are direct translations from the Mandarin audio, both language options come with secondary 2.0 Dolby Digital tracks for viewers who may prefer a simpler audio setup. The optional subtitles include English, English SDH, and simplified Chinese (Mandarin), all presented in a white font within the 2.35:1 scope presentation. This Blu-ray offers an engaging audio experience for both English-speaking audiences and those preferring the original Mandarin, making "Jiang Ziya" a worthwhile addition for any home theater enthusiast.

The Blu-ray extras for "Jiang Ziya" are limited but efficiently presented. The primary supplement is a series of trailers that facilitate an automatic viewing experience. Upon selecting the trailer option, users will find the disc engineered to play through each sequentially without additional user input, beginning with the "Jiang Ziya" trailer in both standard and Mandarin versions. Following these, the disc proceeds to trailers for other Well Go USA releases, such as "Ne Zha", which also play automatically upon disc boot-up. Despite the absence of a 4K UHD version for "Jiang Ziya", these features are thoughtfully integrated to streamline user interaction.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Primary trailer for "Jiang Ziya".
• Trailer (Mandarin): Mandarin language version of the trailer.
• Well Go USA Trailers: Promos for "Cosmoball", "Ne Zha", and "A Dog’s Courage".

"Jiang Ziya," also known as "Legend of Deification", is a stunningly animated follow-up to the Chinese box office success "Ne Zha." This adult-oriented fantasy adventure delves into Chinese mythology, offering an epic tale between Heaven and the sinister Nine-Tailed Fox Demon. Directed by Han Han, the narrative follows celestial commander Jiang Ziya, who is charged with executing the Fox Demon threatening the mortal realm. However, upon discovering the demon's connection to a young girl, Jiang Ziya defies the Heavenly Masters' edict and is subsequently banished to the mortal world. The film’s visual storytelling shines through with vibrant animation and expressive character designs, presenting a complex morality tale that engages audiences beyond its native cultural context.

The movie opens with an intense showdown between Jiang Ziya and Nine Tailed, the leader of the Fox Clan. This early conflict sets the stage for Jiang Ziya's banishment, resulting from his inability to kill Nine Tailed due to the supposed spirit of a young girl he sees within the demon. This turning point adds depth to Jiang Ziya's journey, highlighting his internal struggle and skepticism towards the Gods' interpretation of truth. The storyline weaves elements of wuxia animation and rich folklore, although it might pose a challenge for Western viewers unfamiliar with "The Investiture of the Gods," the source material. Such intricacies lend Jiang Ziya a melancholic ambiance as it progresses towards a resolution exploring the themes of sacrifice and divine fallibility.

Despite potential narrative gaps for non-Chinese audiences, Jiang Ziya remains a captivating viewing experience thanks to its breathtaking animation and robust character portrayals. Its detailed world-building and intricate character arcs offer a fresh departure from more traditional Hollywood animated narratives. While some plot elements might demand further understanding of Chinese mythology to fully appreciate, its visual splendor and engaging story provide ample entertainment, making it a distinctive addition to the animation genre.

"Jiang Ziya" on Blu-ray is an exquisite visual and auditory experience, though its narrative can leave viewers perplexed. The animation stands out with its striking and beautifully rendered imagery that draws you in, creating a spectacular feast for the eyes. However, the plot often feels disjointed and challenging to follow, which can detract from the immersion if one focuses too heavily on understanding the intricacies of the storyline. That said, if approached with a mindset to simply enjoy the visual splendor and let go of stringent narrative expectations, "Jiang Ziya" proves to be quite engaging.

The Blu-ray technical presentation of "Jiang Ziya" is impressive. The video quality showcases incredible detail and vibrant colors that make full use of high-definition capabilities, ensuring that every scene is a testament to the artistry of its animation team. The audio track excels even further, providing a dynamic and immersive listening experience that complements the visual elements perfectly, creating an encompassing atmosphere that pulls the viewer deeper into the fantastical world.

In conclusion, while "Jiang Ziya" may challenge viewers with its complex storytelling, it more than compensates with its breathtaking visuals and outstanding audio quality. This Blu-ray release is a strong recommendation for those who appreciate high-quality animation and can appreciate a film for its aesthetic achievements even if it may not fully deliver in narrative coherence.