Duel to the Death

Rating:
Summary: SO MANY NINJAS!!!!!
Review: This movie really has all you could ever ask for: ninjas, ninjas, and more ninjas! Now, I know you're sitting there thinking to yourself, "Wait a minute. Wouldn't all those ninjas get a little repetative at times?" Well, all you doubters can walk outside and get a big 'ol ninja star to the forehead for all I care, because it doesn't get repetative in the least. The reason for that is there is a wide variety of ninjas in "Duel to the Death." It's got flying ninjas, exploding ninjas, hang-gliding ninjas, giant ninjas, multiplying ninjas, naked ninjas, suicide bomber ninjas, librarian ninjas, ocean ninjas, sand ninjas, and so many more.

And, oh yeah, there's this little thing about the two greatest warriors from China and Japan fighting each other for the honor of their respective countries. But that's really just a side note to all the ninja antics going on.

So, if you're like me, then you'll love this movie because it's got so darn many.....wait for it....NINJAS!!! Rock on!!!

Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get much more entertaining than this.
Review: What can I say. I was rolling on the floor. And then when I read the review by [e-mail], I rolled on the floor again, this time at work, trying to figure out the foot stabbing myself. The ninjas on kite's are hilarious. On a serious note the acrobatics and fight scenes are very entertaining. I caught this movie on a cable channel, but I plan to get my own copy very soon. It was very fun to watch.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent sword fighting scenes even though made in 1982.
Review: Wow is all I can say. After years of dealing with kung-fu on crappy pan and scan VHS and letterbox format DVD's, this edition is a rare treat. First off it's a fully anamorphic transfer, meaning it will preserve it's original aspect ratio on widescreen televisions. It looks fantastic on my Samsung widescreen HDTV. The colors are rich and vibrant, making the film look better than it probably ever has. The fact that Fox and Fortune Star took such care in transferring a fairly unknown kung-fu film warms my heart. Lest I forget the DTS soundtrack which actually offers a noticed separation instead of a generic Pro Logic sound, unlike nearly every other "digitally restored" DVD coming out these days. The inclusion of the original trailer and original Cantonese soundtrack are like a buying a donut that comes with a refill of jelly.

The story is fantastic too. There are all kinds of ninjas! Kite ninjas, vanishing ninjas, even naked foxy ninjas! The score is very effective as well. A lot of older kung-fu flicks either have no score or a scattershot one at best. This movie has a pronounced heroic theme that's quite catchy.

This kind of treatment should be given to more kung-fu films.

Rating:
Summary: fantastic transfer on this little known flick
Review: Wow is all I can say. After years of dealing with kung-fu on crappy pan and scan VHS and letterbox format DVD's, this edition is a rare treat. First off it's a fully anamorphic transfer, meaning it will preserve it's original aspect ratio on widescreen televisions. It looks fantastic on my Samsung widescreen HDTV. The colors are rich and vibrant, making the film look better than it probably ever has. The fact that Fox and Fortune Star took such care in transferring a fairly unknown kung-fu film warms my heart. Lest I forget the DTS soundtrack which actually offers a noticed separation instead of a generic Pro Logic sound, unlike nearly every other "digitally restored" DVD coming out these days. The inclusion of the original trailer and original Cantonese soundtrack are like a buying a donut that comes with a refill of jelly.

The story is fantastic too. There are all kinds of ninjas! Kite ninjas, vanishing ninjas, even naked foxy ninjas! The score is very effective as well. A lot of older kung-fu flicks either have no score or a scattershot one at best. This movie has a pronounced heroic theme that's quite catchy.

This kind of treatment should be given to more kung-fu films.