Enter the Fat Dragon Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Enter the Fat Dragon" by Well Go USA presents an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The film originates from Arri Alexa Minis and was produced with a 2K Digital Intermediate (DI). Despite being housed on a BD-25 disc with minimal extras, the transfer itself is a mixed bag in terms of quality. Notably, some banding issues appear during mastheads, a recurrent issue with Well Go USA releases, yet the main feature improves significantly. The color palette is particularly vivid and authoritative, even during gloomy scenes, although some scenes feature clunky CGI elements that tend to be softer and less detailed compared to the overall presentation. Additionally, greenscreened portions reveal hazy backgrounds, and the climax suffers from slightly milky black levels despite overall strong contrast.

Visually, the Blu-ray falters amidst technical anomalies such as flickering, aliasing, and ringing, which detract from the inherently high resolution of the digital source. Digital smoothing noticeably affects Donnie Yen's fat suit makeup, creating an unnatural glossiness or noise artifacts. Despite these issues, there are moments where slight textures and sharp resolution shine through, particularly in close-up shots that inconsistently display excellent facial detail. Saturated colors compensate for some shortcomings, enhancing the dense city studio sets with their vivid signage. The grading occasionally leans toward an intense warmth but retains a balanced and pleasing boldness in primary colors. Overall, while the visual presentation demonstrates potential, it's hampered by a series of technical missteps that prevent it from achieving the full clarity and fidelity possible.

"Enter the Fat Dragon" boasts a dynamic and immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in Cantonese, ensuring an energetic auditory experience. The audio presentation is characterized by a relentless array of effects, particularly during the high-octane action sequences, such as the dramatic opening scene in the back of a van and the gripping climax atop a skyscraper. These scenes feature impressive atmospheric and environmental effects, capturing the chaotic energy of moments like a nearby helicopter out of control. Even quieter scenes are saturated with ambient sounds or musical score, maintaining a consistently engaging audio environment. Fidelity remains excellent throughout, with no detected issues.

The track's low-frequency effects (LFE) are used sparingly but effectively. Punches deliver small LFE bursts to enhance impact, though overall bass remains lean except for notable moments such as an early grenade explosion. The audio’s range isn’t particularly stretched, but it maintains clarity and precision, especially during action sequences with gunfire and helicopter rotors. The soundstage is broad, with accurate spatial placement enhancing the immersion, whether it's objects dropping into the rear channels or discrete effects aligned with on-screen action. This meticulous attention to audio detail ensures that the track keeps pace with the film's frenetic visuals, providing a robust and vivid auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Enter the Fat Dragon" consolidate various features that provide an engaging glimpse into the movie and its supplemental marketing materials. The trailers included offer a sequential viewing experience where the disc is configured to advance from the film's International Trailer directly into the U.S. Trailer, thereby enhancing fluidity and convenience for users. This clever authoring ensures a seamless playthrough, followed by additional trailers for other Well Go USA releases at disc boot up, providing a comprehensive promotional overview. The content herein effectively rounds out the full package, catering to enthusiasts seeking an elaborate and cohesive understanding of both the primary film and its extended promotional efforts.

Extras included in this disc:

• International Trailer: Promotional trailer for international markets.
• U.S. Trailer: Promotional trailer for U.S. audiences.

These enhancements enrich the viewing experience for collectors and cinema enthusiasts alike, making the Blu-ray a valuable addition.

"Enter the Fat Dragon," starring Donnie Yen, delivers a high-octane blend of action and comedy, though it diverges from the 1978 Sammo Hung classic. The contemporary iteration sees a streamlined cop, Fallon Zhu, who gains weight following a demotion. The conceit of Yen in a fat suit admittedly feels tacked on, serving more as a gimmick tied to the title rather than a necessary plot element. The film's narrative whisks the audience to Japan, where Fallon combats both Yakuza and corrupt local police, underpinned by a nationalist sentiment casting Japan in a negative light. Despite some juvenile humor and unrealistic portrayals, Yen channels his inner Jackie Chan through innovative fight sequences that integrate comic elements seamlessly.

Technically, the film oscillates between manic energy and sluggish exposition. Standout scenes include an inventive battle inside a speeding van and a chaotic fish market rumble featuring Yen's cocaine-high partner driving a forklift. These set pieces highlight the film's kinetic choreography, though the visual effects occasionally falter. The soundtrack is relentless, and the script juggles multiple subplots and a host of supporting characters, sometimes at the expense of coherence. References to Yen’s previous works and nods to Bruce Lee and the original "Enter the Fat Dragon" add nostalgic value but do little to elevate the thin storyline.

Ultimately, despite its flaws—excessive subplots, absurd character arcs, and cheesy jokes—the film remains intermittently entertaining. The flab-centric premise is largely inconsequential, with Yen's weight gain neither central to the narrative nor used for easy laughs, save for villainous mockery. The closing monologue on self-acceptance feels shoehorned but provides an inspiring endnote. In sum, "Enter the Fat Dragon" is a frenetic yet amusing entry in the action-comedy genre, buoyed by Donnie Yen’s charismatic performance and inventive fight choreography.

Enter the Fat Dragon is a mixed bag that offers moments of impressive action set pieces and sporadic comedy, though its underlying premise may seem unnecessary to some viewers. The film, which features Donnie Yen, oscillates between high-energy sequences and questionable plot choices. Despite this, Yen's performance and the technical aspects of the film make it a noteworthy experience for fans of the genre.

The film's fast pace and willingness to indulge in over-the-top immaturity highlight its homage to classic kung fu films. Yen and the supporting cast deliver their parts with enthusiasm, albeit occasionally veering into exaggerated performances. This film daringly merges slapstick humor with high-octane martial arts choreography, resulting in a narrative that never truly slows down.

Technically, Enter the Fat Dragon boasts commendable merit with solid video and audio quality that will satisfy collectors. Whether it's the intricate fight scenes or the engaging soundtrack, these elements are polished and contribute to an immersive viewing experience.

In conclusion, Enter the Fat Dragon may not be for everyone due to its peculiar premise, but it still offers enough thrills and humor to entertain Donnie Yen enthusiasts and kung fu aficionados. With its strong technical presentation, the Blu-ray release is worth considering for those who appreciate a blend of action and comedy.