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2.0 out of 5 stars
A split down the middle, and how, September 11, 2005
This review is from: Fistful of Talons/Kung-Fu Zombie (DVD)
I bought the set specifically for Kung Fu Zombie, and unfortunately the print is unwatchable. Taken from what looks to be about a third-generation VHS copy, the colors bleed horribly, the blacks are distinctly blue, and the subtitles, oh my! They're unreadable, having been printed on the negative as so many unreadable subtitles are, but also the edges are cut off, letting you in on only about 33% of what's said. On top of that they're pretty sparse, too! Line after line of dialogue will be spoken with not a single translation. I stopped watching after about ten minutes.
Contrarily, Fistful of Talons was a pleasant surprise. The plot's nothing impressive, with post-revolution Manchu rebels trying to re-instate the emperor (but wasn't the last imperial ruler an empRESS?). But the combat's surprisingly fluid and modern, and it makes use of a couple of better-than-average set pieces. It's filmed pretty well, with a couple of moments where I noticed some relatively sophisticated blocking and camera work. The picture's not bad, and the dub's average. Unfortunately the pan & scan crop is lamentable, with one scene in particular of some apparently intricate hand-fu being left off screen; we only see the dude's elbow!
Also toward the negative end, there are only a couple of unintentionally comedic moments, and any fun had with those is almost immediately snuffed by some outrageous and graphic animal cruelty. SPOILER?
--(A live eagle used as a cudgel and then torn in half)--
Besides that unfortunate aspect and star Billy Chong's lack of charisma (I think he was aping Jackie Chan, and failing), Fistful of Talons is relatively worthwhile. It's got a couple of neat, weird weapons, and the mandatory "super-abrupt ending" (though this one's much more abrupt than most). If, however, you're still interested in Kung Fu Zombie, I understand the Black Belt Theater disc has a pretty good picture.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
BEST DISC IN 5 DISC SET, 10 MOVIE SET, March 3, 2006
This review is from: Fistful of Talons/Kung-Fu Zombie (DVD)
Kungfu zombie- I was able to read the subtitles for about 50% overall of this movie. I swear that is in this movie too. Unfortunately, the picture quality is poor, but still VERY watchable, but even if it was better quality, this movie would still recieive a 4/5. That being said, this movie is a unique find, and well worth watching for fu fans. THE ENDING IS INSANE, not up there with return of master killer final scene, but INSANE. Very cool movie.
Fistful of Talons-I have too agree with the other reviewer on this one exactly, but i do have to say that BILLY CHONG IS FREAKING AWESOME, he is right up there with alexander lo rei for me, but not in the class of Phillip Ko, Chen Shan, or Hwang Jang Lee. Everthing else I would agree with the past reviewer on this one.
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