DVD Review : Human Lanterns

I'm going to be up front here. I am a total fanboy for the "Shaw Brothers". With their intricate weaving of brilliant kung-fu action, excellent weapon fights and horror these film simply blow me away. "Human Lanterns" as the title suggests is about two rivals that enter into an unholy pack to win an annual Chinese lantern-creating contest. But their secret lies in the flesh of ladies disappearing at the hands of a demonic swordsman.



As in most of the Shaw Brothers film the acting is good, but what really shines is the twisted plot, the cinematography and the fighting. In some scenes of this film it looks like Runme Shaw and crew are using a handheld approach. I'm not sure if the jerky camera is intentional but it gives this 1970's film a decided modern look. Another favorite trick of mine is their use of wide shots. While most modern action film give you quick cuts to hide the fact of the actors not knowing how to fight, Human Lanterns gives you plenty of wide shots of amazing stunt work and spectacular fight scenes.

The behind the scenes features of this DVD are good if not great. You get the basic interview with one of the Shaw Brothers Actresses and an alternate take of one of the more gruesome scenes in this movie. Which was a little too horrific for me to watch. The DVD is in Mandarian Chinese with English subtitles.

All in all I loved this film. Go ahead and order this one when you can.

A+