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Released by: Lionsgate
Released on: February 24th, 2015
Directed by: Ke Zhou
Cast: Mai Jintong, Cheng Ni, Xiangguo Chang
Year: 2014
Purchase from Amazon
The Movie
The Master is a modern day take on a tried 'n true martial arts movie trope, one where a man of peace is brought to his breaking point, and forced to make war upon an invading army of evil men, intent on death and destruction.
Chen Xiang is the voice of justice and righteousness during this period piece which takes place in nineteenth century China, during the Qing Dynasty. Xiang opens up a martial arts school in order to combat abuse, corruption and violence within the political system, while at the same time bringing his people together against the tyrannical rule of the Qing Prince. Will it be enough, however, when the prince comes looking for Xiang's family for a little revenge?
The Master benefits from some absolutely stunning photography courtesy of DP Chen Shaoqiang, and a beautifully melodic musical score from Zhou Yijie. The score in particular drives home each scene with a character all its own, utilizing piano and string arrangements with a wonderful sense of theme of motif. Meanwhile, the natural beauty of each location is expertly lit, with each scene possessing a vibrant sense of personality and thoughtfulness when it comes to composition.
It's a shame, then, that the actual performances and story fall so flat. None of the characters here really have a chance to truly shine on their own, and there's never a real sense of urgency brought on by the peril or danger in which Xiang and his family are put. Instead, the viewer finds it a struggle to care about what's going on plot-wise, and focuses more upon the undeniable beauty of The Master and its technical prowess.
This isn't really enough to lift up director Ke Zhou's film up to any sort of martial arts classic-in-the-making, however, for there have been plenty of other films of its ilk with an equaled or bettered sense of artistry and class. The Master, instead, struggles to make its mark in a crowded world of martial arts competitors, and serves as a forgettable film overall.
Audio/Video/Extras
Lionsgate's DVD of The Master does look fantastic, with crisp colors and deep blacks which highlight Shaoqiang's aforementioned cinematography. The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen picture never appears cramped, while English and Mandarin 5.1 audio tracks clear, with optional, error-free Spanish and English subtitles. The only extra here is a trailer gallery, leaving this disc as a relatively bare bones, but nice-looking affair.
The Final Word
The Master is recommended only to diehard martial arts and Asian cinema fanatics who absolutely need every genre flick in their DVD collection. There's nothing remotely new or particularly interesting brought to the table, and it's only through the film's glorious visuals that The Master achieves any sort of success.
