- Joined
- May 9, 2002
- Messages
- 13,058
- Real Name
- Cameron Yee
The storytelling is so tedious in "1911" it does a disservice to the remarkable events that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and rise of the Republic of China. Though the film is nicely treated with a fine high definition presentation, it's not enough to recommend either the movie or its Blu-ray release.
1911
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Studio: Well Go USA Entertainment
Packaging/Materials: Two-disc Blu-ray case with slipcover and scene selection insert
Year: 2011
Rating: R
Running Time: 1:39:12
MSRP: $29.98
THE FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Video
1080p high definition 2.35:1
Standard and high definition
Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio: Mandarin 5.1, English 5.1 / Dolby Digital: Mandarin 2.0, English 2.0
Stereo
Subtitles
English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
Same
The Feature: 1/5
Movies like "1911" give history a bad name. Far from making the past come alive - in this case the fall of China's Qing Dynasty and the rise of the Chinese republic - it guts it and buries it under a pile of meaningless names, dates, and battles. Without any attempt to include context or significance to the depicted events, the film becomes largely incomprehensible, a moving image version of a horribly written textbook. The casting of Jackie Chan in the lead role as one of Sun Yat-sen's chief advisors doesn't help either, as he's limited to a pure (and rather dour) acting role. It's a shame too, since this could have been another perspective on the remarkable events shown in Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor." Instead it's a big waste of time - anyone interested in the history should just go to the Wikipedia entry to read about it.
Video Quality: 4.5/5
The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer features inky blacks, strong contrast, and excellent detail and sharpness. The color palette tends to be earthy and drab, making scenes almost monochromatic at times, though spots of color - usually in the more opulent uniforms and clothing of the ruling Dynasty - are rich and deeply saturated. The transfer also shows no signs of excessive sharpening or noise reduction.
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
The release includes two 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks in Mandarin and English; I chose the Mandarin track as it's the film's original language. Dialogue in it is consistently crisp, clear and intelligible. Surround effects, used strategically for the action sequences, are likewise nicely balanced and enveloping. Low frequency effects are in play throughout the film with gun fire, explosions, and thundering hoofbeats and exhibit impressive depth and fullness.
Special Features: 2/5
There's nothing too surprising in the extras, though the behind-the-scenes should prove interesting for those keen on seeing how movies are made.
Deleted Scenes (HD)
Behind the Scenes (27:43, SD): Video footage from the set is presented with minimal editing or structure, but provides a flavor of production conditions and atmosphere. Most of the material focuses on the film's action and fight sequences, but also includes a number of the more critical dramatic scenes.
Original Trailer (2:34, SD)
Trailer (:55, HD)
Previews: Precede the main menu loading and include "Let the Bullets Fly," "A Better Tomorrow," "The Stool Pigeon," and "The Man from Nowhere." Each are presented in high definition.
DVD: The disc includes the main feature presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic video and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, with identical extras.
Recap
The Feature: 1/5
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 2/5
Overall Score (not an average): 2/5
Well Go USA turns in a great presentation for a tedious historical epic that depicts the political uprisings that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and rise of the Republic of China. The special features are limited to a handful of perfunctory items, which is more than sufficient given the weakness of the main feature.
1911
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Studio: Well Go USA Entertainment
Packaging/Materials: Two-disc Blu-ray case with slipcover and scene selection insert
Year: 2011
Rating: R
Running Time: 1:39:12
MSRP: $29.98
THE FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Video
1080p high definition 2.35:1
Standard and high definition
Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio: Mandarin 5.1, English 5.1 / Dolby Digital: Mandarin 2.0, English 2.0
Stereo
Subtitles
English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
Same
The Feature: 1/5
Movies like "1911" give history a bad name. Far from making the past come alive - in this case the fall of China's Qing Dynasty and the rise of the Chinese republic - it guts it and buries it under a pile of meaningless names, dates, and battles. Without any attempt to include context or significance to the depicted events, the film becomes largely incomprehensible, a moving image version of a horribly written textbook. The casting of Jackie Chan in the lead role as one of Sun Yat-sen's chief advisors doesn't help either, as he's limited to a pure (and rather dour) acting role. It's a shame too, since this could have been another perspective on the remarkable events shown in Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor." Instead it's a big waste of time - anyone interested in the history should just go to the Wikipedia entry to read about it.
Video Quality: 4.5/5
The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer features inky blacks, strong contrast, and excellent detail and sharpness. The color palette tends to be earthy and drab, making scenes almost monochromatic at times, though spots of color - usually in the more opulent uniforms and clothing of the ruling Dynasty - are rich and deeply saturated. The transfer also shows no signs of excessive sharpening or noise reduction.
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
The release includes two 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks in Mandarin and English; I chose the Mandarin track as it's the film's original language. Dialogue in it is consistently crisp, clear and intelligible. Surround effects, used strategically for the action sequences, are likewise nicely balanced and enveloping. Low frequency effects are in play throughout the film with gun fire, explosions, and thundering hoofbeats and exhibit impressive depth and fullness.
Special Features: 2/5
There's nothing too surprising in the extras, though the behind-the-scenes should prove interesting for those keen on seeing how movies are made.
Deleted Scenes (HD)
A Prisoner (2:41)
Family Affair (1:47)
The Situation (1:15)
Lunch (:31)
Photo Session (:47)
Birthday Celebration (1:54)
Behind the Scenes (27:43, SD): Video footage from the set is presented with minimal editing or structure, but provides a flavor of production conditions and atmosphere. Most of the material focuses on the film's action and fight sequences, but also includes a number of the more critical dramatic scenes.
Original Trailer (2:34, SD)
Trailer (:55, HD)
Previews: Precede the main menu loading and include "Let the Bullets Fly," "A Better Tomorrow," "The Stool Pigeon," and "The Man from Nowhere." Each are presented in high definition.
DVD: The disc includes the main feature presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic video and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, with identical extras.
Recap
The Feature: 1/5
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 2/5
Overall Score (not an average): 2/5
Well Go USA turns in a great presentation for a tedious historical epic that depicts the political uprisings that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and rise of the Republic of China. The special features are limited to a handful of perfunctory items, which is more than sufficient given the weakness of the main feature.
