Dragon - BLURAY [Blu-ray]

This review is specifically in regard to the Wu Xia [2011, HK] (a.k.a Wuxia) DVD - Uncut Foil Cover Edition.It seems that all the reviews for all versions of this movie are appearing for all listings on Amazon so I thought I'd clear some things up.Long story short, the Uncut Foil Cover Edition is the studio released version and it is excellent quality. Nothing questionable about it.The resolution is better than the theater and Amazon Istant version. The audio options are Mandarin and Cantonese. There are English subtitles. This is how I like to watch my kung fu...original language with English subs. Audio and video are all top notch. I bought the DVD over the Blu-Ray because the DVD was shipped by Amazon and the Blu-Ray was going to ship from Hong Kong. I couldn't wait that long. I recently watched the movie at the theater and then a couple days later on Amazon Instant Video. I really enjoyed it for the cinematography, the score, the acting, and the action, but when I got the DVD in the mail, I watched it that night and the quality was so much better than even watching at the theater...plus, it is the uncut edition. If you watched at the theater or on Amazon and you liked it, you will love this version. There is so much more depth to the story. I was so pleased. It's too bad the version available through Amazon Instant is not the uncut version. It is such a richer story and I'm sure if the uncut version is what was on offer to the general public here stateside, it would garner far more attention. The bar has been raised. Taking plot cues from A History of Violence while referencing a Hong Kong classic The One-Armed Swordsman, this movie feels timeless with little kitsch. There are modern stylistic devices that remind me of Fight Club and Snatch, a vintage quality soundtrack, clever storytelling, and Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro both deliver quality, quality performances.

I Really Liked this Movie a Lot!! This is Donnie Yen at his Best. I thought it was a clever Plot. I hope others do too. It told some(more than one) stories. It had More than One main character, and wove everything together. I don't want to give anything away so all I can say is Check it Out! Neat village, nice look at the "workings of a peaceful small mountain clan"As a person Very interested in China at the turn of the last century, especially the transition from imperialism to The Peoples Republic, I enjoy most movies from this period, even when the history is "enhanced"I did not feel that way about this tale, but perhaps more so in"Bodyguards and Assassins ",etc.,which I enjoyed Very Much. Donnie Yen, is SO Good. A likable guy, whether he is just an Ordinary Guy or the Toughest Guy in the Region.The camera Work is Great, be sure and check out the Special features. (A Gag Reel would have been Cool!)Thanks for a great movie I really enjoyed, can't wait to share it with my family. It does have some rather violent fight scenes, so preview it first if your going to share with the younger/ squeamish set!

WARNING! Many spoilers below! This is more a review for people who want to think about what they have already seen.This is largely a remake of David Cronenberg's 2005 film, A History of Violence. But with some major changes in emphasis. Cronenberg's film is a meditation on the thin line between the action hero and the sociopath. Dragon reflects on the possibility of redemption and where to draw the line between mercy and justice.Consider the situation of the two families at the ends of their respective films. Cronenberg's Stall family have no idea if they can put their lives together again, their whole sense of stability having been shattered by the events of the movie. Chan's film ends with a sense of healing and hope.Cronenberg's is the better film. The story is beautifully told and the theme strikes me (enter Personal Opinion) as the deeper theme. Dragon has some major plot holes. For example, toward the end Yen's character is confronted by a group of twenty or so bad guys who then send him off to fight their master. After the defeat of the master, the twenty bad guys apparently decide to retire off screen somewhere. Maybe in a monastery?And I have some issues with the whole Iron Bell(or whatever variation he uses) chi defense the master uses. It is about time that Wu Xia movies give up the whole skin that cannot be penetrated or sliced by a sharp sword schtick. It didn't work very well in the Boxer Rebellion and it doesn't really work in the movies.On the other hand, you have some beautiful acting by the three main principals and Donnie Yen doing his usual incredible movie fighting. There are moments that are very exciting and moments that are deeply moving. Dragon may not be a minor masterpiece like A History of Violence but it is still an excellent and very entertaining movie. A kung fu spectacular for grown-ups.