Import Corner: Kung Fu Cult Master (Eureka Entertainment) Blu-ray Review + Screenshots + Packaging Shots

Jet Li and Sammo Hung join forces to fight the bad guys and talk about boners in Kung Fu Cult Master.
Studio: Eureka Entertainment
Release Date: December 18th, 1993 (theatrical) / January 29th, 2024 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 43 minutes 46 seconds
Region Code: B (locked)

Disc Count: 1 (BD-50)
Picture: 1080p (1.85:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: Cantonese LPCM 2.0, English LPCM 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Jet Li, Sharla Cheung, Chingmy Yau, Gigi Lai, Sammo Hung
Written by Wong Jing
Directed by Wong Jing
Rating: BBFC: 15 (martial arts violence)

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Poster

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What's It About?

During the Yuen Dynasty, many sects compete for possession of the two golden swords which contain the secret to dominance of the world of martial arts. The first faction, led by Shaolin, consists of Shaolin, Wu Tang, Ngo Mai, Kun Lun, Hung Tung, and Wah Shan. The second is the Ming Sect, otherwise known as the Fire Sect or Evil Sect, led by branch leaders Queen of Purple Dragon, King of White Eagle, King of Gold Lion, and King of Green Bat. A student of Wu Tang befriends Gold Lion, marries the daughter of White Eagle, and is killed for the secret of the location of the missing sword. His infant son witnesses this and vows revenge on the heads of the sect. Unfortunately, he has a jinx which prevents him from learning martial arts.

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Video/Audio

Presented in the film's original aspect of 1.85:1 and taken from a "new restoration of the original film elements". I don't know why they have phrased it like that but it is weird. If I had to guess, I would say that this has to have been taken from a 2K scan, at the very least because KUNG FU CULT MASTER looks great. There is a nice layer of grain throughout the entire film with gives us an extremely healthy picture. Colors and black levels are both pleasing and the picture has a nice depth to it. This is a transfer to be proud of.

On the sound front, we get two lossless options: Cantonese and English. Both tracks sound great but I think that some may have a problem with either one as they both sound flat. Anyone who grew up in the 70s, 80s, or 90s will know what the quality of the audio was especially when it came to how these English dubs sounded. The sound is flat and "tinny" Both of the tracks here sound like that. I don't have a problem with it as I like that but some will.

There is also a short five second moment in the film from 1:36:32 to 1:36:37, where the audio reverts to Cantonese before going right back to English. I watched the whole film and I didn't see any other instances of this.

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Extras/Packaging

Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng

Kung Fu Master: 2004 Interview with Sammo Hung (23m 49s, SD, 1.78:1) Sammo covers a bunch of films in his filmography including When Taekwondo Attacks, his martial arts/horror/comedies, and his role as his own teacher from his Peking Opera School days in Painted Faces.

Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (3m 22s, HD, 1.78:1) In Cantonese with English subtitles

English Export Trailer (3m 5s, SD, 1.66:1, 4x3)

Packaging wise we get a slipcover featuring brand new artwork from Darren Wheeling, who has done a ton of commissioned pieces for Eureka martial arts blu-rays including DUEL TO THE DEATH, THE DEAD AND THE DEADLY, MR. VAMPIRE, ODD COUPLE and ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND. His artwork is always top notch. The clear, 14mm blu-ray case features double sided artwork with the Darren Wheeling artwork on one side and the film's original theatrical poster on the other. Inside the case is a 20-page booklet featuring a new essay on the film by Simon Abrams along with stills from the film.

The disc is REGION B (locked)

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Overall

KUNG FU CULT MASTER is one of the most "what the fuck" martial arts films I have ever seen. There wasn't more than five minutes that went by where I wasn't completely confused about what was happening. It feels like chunks were taken out from many scenes throughout the entire film. We would get the beginning and ending of a scene but the middle was completely gone. We meet some very strange characters including a demon who is strapped to a boulder that he can move around on his own. Everything is very good looking and there is some funny bits but the film makes very little sense. The film is never boring with the fight scenes being a lot of fun.

Eureka did a wonderful job with this release with the picture and sound being oh so good. The special features package is light but I liked them quite a bit. This is a great release that belongs in every martial arts fan's collection.

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Extras/Menus