Review of Jet Li (Box Set)

Introduction

If you were going to release a Jet Li box set, surely you`d put some of his best films in it. In this set, we get 2 lesser known films, Hitman and The Master. Let me tell you all about them.

Hitman is the film Jet Li made in between Hollywood outings Lethal Weapon 4 and Romeo Must Die. It`s a combination of action and comedy, but played more for laughs than for the action. There are plenty of familiar themes here, including Chinese/Japanese tension, awkwardness around women and a few good fights along the way.

The Master is one of those Jet Li films that people haven`t been raving about. Jet Li plays Jet (10 out of 10 for originality), who travels to America to search for his master, Uncle Tak, who has taken up herbal medicine as his martial arts days are over. When he arrives, he finds Tak`s pharmacy in ruins, with no sign of the man himself. He starts out to seach for him, bumping into May, who is also looking for Tak. She is interested in the financial side of Tak`s business, whilst Jet knows it`s all about honour. They do manage to find Tak, and then it`s time for revenge, powered by fists and feet.

Video

Hitman

We get a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer which is rather good, but not totally perfect. Most of the problems are with the source material though, and at one point you can see some dirt on the camera lens (it`s very, very obvious!) All very watchable though, and an early example of the standards that Hong Kong Legends would set and then continually surpass.

For those of you interested in the on-screen action, there`s far less wire work than in many other Jet Li films, so if wires aren`t for you then this film will suit just fine.

The Master

A 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer greets us. It`s not quite up to the usual Hong Kong Legends standards, but then this isn`t really an A list title, so that might be expected. It`s still pretty good given the age of the print - largely free from dust and dirt, but with quite a bit of grain evident in many shots.

If you`re looking for some great Jet Li fights, then you might want to look elsewhere. Most of the battles here are over very swiftly, and you`re often left wanting more.

Audio

Hitman

A choice of DD2.0 Cantonese or DD2.0 English (dubbed). I chose the original language as ever, and this was the first time many audiences will have heard Jet Li`s real voice, as he was almost always dubbed up to this point. The sound is pretty standard for a stereo track, with some good separation now and again, but nothing to write home about.

The Master

A choice of soundtracks, from the original Cantonese mono, through to the DD5.1 Cantonese remix and the dubbed English track.

The mono track is actually not bad, although it does have its moments of distortion. I preferred the DD5.1 Cantonese track, as the sound has been cleaned up a bit, and it`s only a very subtle remix (i.e. they haven`t done very much with it). The English dub track is one of those tracks that has been praised by many, but I`m afraid it didn`t win me over. I`ll stick with the Cantonese every time.

Features

Hitman

A music promo from the film, several interviews, a biography and a trailer await. This was an early Hong Kong Legends release and the quality of the extras reflect that.

The Master

This is a much later Hong Kong Legends DVD, which means it starts with a commentary track from Bey Logan. He is his usual "full of information" self, and it`s yet another of his commentary tracks that`s well worth listening to. Excellent as ever. He has a lot to say about this film, and not all of it good (rightly so too!)

Supporting the commentary track are interviews with stuntman John Kreng, actress Crystal Kwok and actor/fight choreographer Yuen Wah. Each of them talk about their experience on the film, again, not all of it is positive. There is quite a bit of background about the making of the film, and they are all worth listening to.

You can also find trailers for the film, and trailers and information about other DVDs from Hong Kong Legends and their spin-off Premier Asia.

Conclusion

Hitman

Whilst this is not the greatest Jet Li film ever, it is entertaining with a good mix of comedy and action. If you look at it as a comedy with action thrown in, then you`re about right. It`s certainly not an action film, as all the best stuff is saved until the end. There`s some very silly stuff about a man with laser pointers in his rings and his shoes, a Pretty Woman type scene (lots of dressing up) and just a bit too much of that awkwardness around women.

It`s very much a by-the-numbers affair, and not the greatest showcase for Li`s talent (perhaps something from the Once Upon A Time In China series would be better), but it`s still enjoyable enough.

The Master

This film apparently languished in some film company vaults somewhere for several years. A shame it didn`t stay there really as no-one involved can be that proud of it. There are some awful stereotypes on display here, some truly comedy villains, and a terrible plot. Jet Li does what he can, but he`s still a better fighter than actor, and as there aren`t nearly enough fight scenes for him in this film I think that says it all.

It`s not as bad as some of the films that have sneaked out of the "Old Skool Kung Fu" range from another DVD producer, but you might still find yourself laughing for all the wrong reasons. The DVD itself is the usual quality effort from Hong Kong Legends - very good considering that this is not a great title, but nowhere near as good as some of their other efforts. If you wanted to buy it, then the disc won`t put you off. The film should though!

If you`re after another bad Jet Li film like this, check out The Evil Cult, with some of the funniest subtitles I`ve ever seen. Whatever you do, avoid this film. 

So, finally on to the box set. This is a bad idea. You could buy the Once Upon a Time in China Trilogy box set instead - much better films and very good value at around 15 pounds.

So buy Hitman on its own or check out other Jet Li DVDs instead.