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Bloodfight
R2 - United Kingdom - 101 Films Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (6th July 2015). |
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The Film
 ***This is an A/V and Extras review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** He was vicious in Enter the Dragon. He was savage in Bloodsport. Now Bolo Yeung is the ultimate fighting machine in Bloodfight. Capitalising on the 1987 Hollywood film BLOODSPORT, martial arts legend Bolo Yeung (Game of Death, Bloodsport, Enter The Dragon), recreates his character in this cult tournament film that showcases the talents of producer/actor Yasuaki Kurata and future Hong Kong superstar Simon Yam. Bloodfight tells the story of what it takes to survive in the vicious world of Free Fighting. Masahiro Kai has made it to the last stage of the Championship. In flashback, he remembers training Ryu Tenmei for the event. Ryu makes it to the final against the reigning champ, Chang Lee (Bolo Yeung). After Lee kills Ryu, Kai sinks into alcoholism, tangling with a gang of Americans, until he decides to go back into training and defeat Chang Lee himself.
Video
Independent British distributor 101 Films continue their Cult Movie Collection with another Bolo Yeung vehicle. "Bloodfight" is presented on this DVD at 1.33:1 (OAR is 1.85:1), and like pretty much every other release of this title, doesn't look particularly good at all, leaving me to think no reasonable sources are currently known. When the feature initially starts, I thought that the case was incorrect stating the ratio to be 1.33:1 as the opening credits are in the 1.85:1 original aspect ratio (non-anamorphic). Unfortunately, once we get past the opening, the transfer does move to a heavily cropped full frame ratio. Characters are unnecessarily cropped, locations aren't extensive, and the framing just feels really cramped. When it comes to the source of the transfer, it doesn't look that much better than VHS. Looking around though, it does appear this title has not been looked after well over the last twenty five years+ at all, with poor transfers seemingly standard. It should also be noted the transfer is NTSC->PAL, though none of the usual problems such as combing seem obvious. Colours are washed out and murky, with blacks too light and whites moving towards yellow. Details aren't too bad at times, and although backgrounds lack clarity and look very clunky, items in the foregrounds and characters are passable. There is no aliasing or edge enhancement that I noticed, but there is a fair bit of damage - though certainly not as much as similar films of this era I have viewed on DVD. The feature is uncut and runs 96:37.
Audio
101 Films have included a single English Dolby Digital 2.0 track with this title. The case states it is a stereo track, but it is actually dual mono and there is no channel separation to speak of. The audio here is certainly in a better state than 101's other recent Bolo Yeung release "Ironheart" but is still below par. Dialogue is often quite tinny, and some of it comes across mumbled, especially when characters aren't directly in front of the camera. Sound effects lack any real punch, with what should be brutal thuds sounding more like gentle taps. On the plus side, volume levels may not be totally consistent, but at least it doesn't require fiddling about with the remote every other scene like the "Ironheart" Blu-ray. There's a couple of crackles and pops, but generally speaking, the track is just about tolerable. No subtitles are included.
Extras
None.
Overall
Although the film is worth a look for fans, the technical presentation is a disappointing experience. Like with many of films of this budget, ilk, and era, the problems seem to lay squarely at the lack of a decent source though, rather than at the distributors. Fair play to 101 Films for releasing films like this for fans, even if there are a number of problems with the transfer and audio obviously out of their control. We can only hope a better source, or a person with very deep pockets and not a lot of sense, can eventually be found.
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