Cast:

Jet Li

Lau Ching Wan

Karen Mok

Francoise Yip

Patrick Lung Kong

Anthony Wong

Hung Yan Yan

Action:

Yuen Clan

Producer:

Tsui Hark

Director:

Daniel Lee

Score:  

BLACK MASK

AKA:  The Bodyguard || Yojimbo The Bodyguard

Year: 1996    Reviewer: Tony Ryan

Jet Li's 'Black Mask' has attained a somewhat cult following in the West, despite not performing that well at the local H.K box office. This is perhaps due to the comic book nature of the film, translating better to American audiences than more traditional, superior fare such as 'OUATIC'.

The story isn’t complex, and basically follows Jet as a member of an elite team - "The 701 squad" - who has had all pain receptors removed to help him become an ultimate fighting machine. However, Jet has broken free of his former life, now peacefully working in a library, but it is only a matter of time before his past catches up with him! As with most HK actioners, the story takes a back seat, and plot holes are easy to pick at. To do that would defeat the point of this popcorn fight fest, and Woo Ping's style is again on hand to impress. Unfortunately, Woo Ping's excellent wirework is spoiled by the director, who has adopted the much maligned, yet strangely favoured, Hollywood MTV-style editing. It is far too choppy and spoils the flow of the fights, especially when fans of the genre love to watch extended sequences to marvel at the physical performers.

It is common practice to use camera tricks in order to conceal the performers physical deficiencies, but in Jet Li's case we have a performer more than capable of long takes. As such, it is disappointing given the talent both in front of and behind the camera, that this is not a modern classic. All said, the action is still impressive, and deserves 4 stars, but the direction, annoying camera work and lack of real plot drag it down into the 3 star category.

There is no great way to own this film. The HK version has a terrible picture, and the Western releases are dubbed, although look much better. As a result, it is worth waiting - or hoping - for someone to give it the treatment it deserves. Unfortunately, Disney currently owns the rights, so the chances of that happening are pretty slim.

Distributor:  Artisan

Region:  1 (NTSC)

Running Time:  102 mins

Video: 

Letterboxed at 1.85:1.  Very good picture quality with strong colours and a relatively clean print.

Audio:

Only an English DD 5.1 dub is provided that not only alters the voices but also adds an annoying rap and hip hop soundtrack.

Extras:  

- Four television spots

- Text information on Wu Shu

- The ability to jump to all the action scenes

- A music compilation

- A Black Mask game

- The American theatrical trailer for 'Black Mask'

- Talent files for Jet Li, Karen Mok, Lau Ching Wan, Francoise Yip, Tsui Hark and Daniel Lee

Notes:

This version of 'Black Mask' has been re-edited for the international audience with the addition of some extra gore and the removal of various dialogue scenes.  The only uncut release is from Taiwan (see the uncut link to HK Flix below) that includes all the scenes from both versions but only comes with a Mandarin dub.