As a martial arts movie, Wu Dang is not very good. There is plenty of action, but it feels like it as been slowed down and any actual impact deleted. The fights have a certain "floaty" quality to them like everyone is moving in slow motion and pulling their punches. It is a little hard to describe, it is more like sparring than fighting. With that said, there is one fight in what looks like a library that is pretty good with some interesting moves and nice camerawork shifting focus between the various subjects. Still, it is a letdown as a martial arts movie. It doesn't work as an adventure either as there is never a clear focus as to what they are looking for and what it means.
Audio/Video. The film is presented in aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and was shot digitally using the RED camera. I have no issues with the presentation of the film. It is a good quality transfer with solid colors and strong detail levels. The biggest problem is that the solid transfer often reveals the use of sub par CG effects. So, while the transfer looks good it reveals questionable source work.
Audio is presented with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in its original Mandarin language. Good track with strong directional effects, listen as people and things come into fame. I particularly enjoyed the sequence where Yunlong is being pursued by a bunch of swordsman with the swords whistling through the air, not realistic but sounds really cool.
Extras. The lone extra is a half hour featurette simply titled Behind the Scenes. It is a mash up of interviews, set footage, and some set building. Nothing particularly special.
Bottomline. It is too bad the movie never made up its mind what it wanted to be. It is filled with indecision and winds up a muddled mix of martial arts fantasy and low rent Indiana Jones.
Not Recommended.
Article comments