REVIEW: Wushu (DVD – Lionsgate)

Antony Szeto’s family action drama WUSHU comes to home video in the U.S. courtesy of Lionsgate. Starring Sammo Hung and presented by Jackie Chan who oversaw the production, the film follows five young friends and martial artists who grow up together at a rural wushu academy in mainland China where they struggle for success in competition while having their skills tested on the street when two young members of the school are kidnapped by human traffickers. The film features wushu-trained newcomers Wang Wenjie (SEVEN SWORDS), Liu Feng-chao and Pheobe Wang.

This DVD release comes with original Mandarin and new English-dubbed audio tracks, optional English and Spanish subtitles, and two notable featurettes.

Behind the Scenes (18 mins.) – This is one of the few behind-the-scenes featurettes that is truly an entertaining and informative supplement to the film and not merely a marketing promo. It appears to have been produced specifically for the international market. After an informative introduction, director Antony Szeto discusses the challenges and intent of his film. Producer Colette Koo follows with comments on the film’s exhaustive casting process to find skilled wushu practitioners and injuries incurred. The best part is a series of interviews with the young cast members starting with five preadolescent kids who are interviewed together. When asked if they met any famous people, they all lit up and shouted, “Sammo Hung!” They went on to gush about how kind and attentive he was to them while they were on set. We’re also introduced to the five young adult stars including Wang Wenjie, Liu Feng-chao, Wang Ya-chao, Pheobe Wang, and Liu Yong-chen. Throughout the video, behind-the-scenes footage that reveals the genuine wushu skills of the cast despite the use of wirework in places.

WUSHU World Premiere in Cannes Featuring Jackie Chan (7 mins.) – Another nice featurette. This one follows Antony Szeto, Wang Wenjie, Liu Feng-chao, and presenter Jackie Chan to Cannes in 2008. Wang and Liu perform demos for reporters and we get to hear a bit more from the two young stars.

Trailers – Trailers for WUSHU, THE SPY NEXT DOOR and THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM.

Main menu for Lionsgate’s DVD release of WUSHU.

“Special Features” menu for Lionsgate’s DVD release of WUSHU.

Director Antony Szeto discusses his film WUSHU.

Liu Feng-chao and Wang Wenjie on their way to Cannes 2008.

REVIEW: Wushu (DVD - Lionsgate), 7.3 out of 10 based on 3 ratings

by Mark Pollard

Related Topics:
Antony Szeto  •  DVD  •  Lionsgate  •  Liu Feng-chao  •  Pheobe Wang  •  Wang Wenjie  •  Wushu (2008)